Bioreactor support structure

Abstract

A support structure for a bioreactor enclosure, the support structure comprising: two ground supports configured for coupling to the ground; a cable suspended between the two ground supports; and one or more members extending from the cable, the or each member being connectable to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure to suspend the bioreactor enclosure from the cable.

Description

[0001] HLIB10-134687 PC

[0002] BIOREACTOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to bioreactors, for example for the growth of phototrophic organisms such as microalgae.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Biofuels are emerging as a promising solution to assist the clean energy transition. In particular, algae can produce lipids that are a viable replacement for conventional fuels such as diesel oil, as well as being a low carbon petrochemical feedstock.

[0007] Algal biofuels can be produced using a photobioreactor. A photobioreactor is a vessel which may be open or closed in which algal cells can be cultured. Photobioreactors can transform raw materials such as carbon dioxide, water and solar energy into cell biomass and complex molecules that can be used as substrates for manufacturing biofuels.

[0008] Microalgae are capable of rapid biomass and bio-oil (for example, triacylglycerides) accumulation when supplied with sufficient light energy, inorganic carbon in the form of CO2 / HCO37CO3, organic carbon, and nutrient supplementation (such as nitrogen, phosphorus and vitamins). Photosynthetic production of glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate feeds biomass and bio-oil accumulation. Microalgae are also capable of heterotrophic and / or mixotrophic accumulation of biomass and bio-oil.

[0009] Bioreactors can also be used to produce other algae-derived products, such as industrial, pharmaceutical and agricultural compounds and lubricants. One problem of existing bioreactor systems is that they generally cannot be produced at scale in a cost-effective manner due to their cost per unit volume.

[0010] It is desirable to develop a bioreactor that can be used to produce algae-derived products such as carbon-negative liquid hydrocarbon fuels at scale.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to one aspect there is provided a support structure for a bioreactor enclosure, the support structure comprising: two ground supports configured for coupling to the ground; a cable suspended between the two ground supports; and one or more members extending from the cable, the or each member being connectable to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure to suspend the bioreactor enclosure from the cable.

[0013] The or each member may be connectable to the cable at one end and configured at the opposite end for connecting to the bioreactor enclosure. Alternatively, the or each member may be connectable to the cable or the bioreactor enclosure at each end.

[0014] The support structure may comprise multiple members. Each of the multiple members may extend substantially vertically between the cable and the bioreactor enclosure. Each of the multiple members may extend substantially parallel to the ground supports. The multiple members may extend substantially perpendicular to the span of the cable.

[0015] The bioreactor enclosure may be suspended from a single cable suspended between the two ground supports. The one or more members may be connectable to the single cable.

[0016] The or each member may be secured to an attachment structure of the bioreactor enclosure. The attachment structure of the bioreactor enclosure may comprise a support beam and / or one or more eyelets. The two ground supports may be on opposing sides of the bioreactor enclosure.

[0017] The support structure may be a multi-level support structure for the suspension of multiple bioreactor enclosures. Each bioreactor enclosure may be suspended from a respective cable suspended between the two ground supports at a respective level of the support structure.

[0018] Each bioreactor enclosure may be suspended from a single cable suspended between the two ground supports at the respective level of the support structure.

[0019] One or more of the ground supports may comprise one or more ground anchors.

[0020] The one or more ground anchors may comprise a cable extending between the respective body of the ground support and the ground. The cable may extend at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the respective ground support.

[0021] The support structure may comprise a further ground support. A first set of one or more bioreactor enclosures may be suspended from respective one or more cables suspended between first and second ones of the two ground supports. A second set of one or more bioreactor enclosures may be suspended from respective one or more cables suspended between the second one of the two ground supports and the further ground support.

[0022] The, or each, cable may be capable of supporting a uniformly distributed load of between approximately 500-5000 N / m. The, or each, cable may be configured to support a uniformly distributed load of over 1000 N / m. The, or each, cable may be configured to support a uniformly distributed load of up to 5000 N / m.

[0023] The support structure may comprise a single continuous member being connectable or connected to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure to suspend the bioreactor enclosure from the cable. The single continuous member may be connectable or connected to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure at multiple positions.

[0024] The cable may be angled relative to the plane of the ground supports.

[0025] The support structure may comprise one or more further cables suspended between the two ground supports. The cable and the one or more further cables may be suspended at approximately the same vertical position on each of the ground supports. One or more of (i) the cable and (ii) one or more of the further cables may be angled relative to the plane of the ground supports. One or more of (i) the cable and (ii) one or more of the further cables may be angled out of the plane of the two ground supports. The support structure may comprise one or more further members extending from the one or more further cables, the or each further member being connectable or connected to the one or more further cables and one or more further bioreactor enclosures to suspend the one or more further bioreactor enclosures from the one or more further cables.

[0026] The support structure may comprise an intermediate structure. The or each member may be connected or connectable to the cable and the intermediate structure. One or more, optionally multiple, bioreactor enclosures may be suspended from the cable via the intermediate structure. The one or more bioreactor enclosures may be attached to the intermediate structure.

[0027] The ground supports may each comprise one or more arms. The arms may be at the upper ends of the ground supports. Each arm may extend from the respective ground support, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axes of the ground supports. The cable may be suspended between corresponding arms of the two ground supports. The support structure may comprise one or more further cables suspended between corresponding arms of the two ground supports. The cable and the one or more further cables may be suspended at approximately the same vertical position on each of the ground supports. The support structure may comprise one or more further members extending from the one or more further cables, the or each further member being connectable or connected to the one or more further cables and one or more further bioreactor enclosures to suspend the one or more further bioreactor enclosures from the one or more further cables. The cable and the one or more further cables may be suspended parallel to each other. The cable and the one or more further cables may be spaced apart transverse to the longitudinal axes of the ground supports. The multiple bioreactor enclosures (for example, the bioreactor enclosure and the one or more further bioreactor enclosures) may be suspended at approximately the same vertical position with respect to the ground supports.

[0028] According to another aspect, there is provided a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of rows of ground supports, each row comprising one or more ground supports, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of cables suspended between pairs of the ground supports in one or more of the multiple rows of ground supports. Each ground support may be attached to multiple cables. One or more of the ground supports may be attached to six cables. The array of bioreactor enclosures may be a hexagonal array.

[0029] According to a further aspect, there is provided a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of rows of ground supports, each row comprising one or more ground supports, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of cables suspended between pairs of the ground supports in one or more of the multiple rows of ground supports. The support structure may comprise one or more cross-braces between respective ground supports in adjacent rows of the plurality of rows.

[0030] The support structure may comprise one or more members extending from each cable. The or each member may be securable to the respective cable and a respective bioreactor enclosure to suspend the respective bioreactor enclosure from the respective cable. The support structure may comprise one or more braces between one or more pairs of ground supports, the one or more braces extending approximately transverse to the longitudinal axes of the ground supports.

[0031] The plurality of rows of ground supports may comprise a first outer row, a second outer row and one or more intermediate rows disposed between the first outer row and the second outer row. One or more ground supports of the first outer row and / or the second outer row may comprise one or more ground anchors.

[0032] The one or more ground anchors may comprise a cable. The cable may extend between the respective body of the ground support and the ground at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the respective ground support.

[0033] Each row may comprise multiple ground supports.

[0034] The support structure may comprise multiple cross-braces between respective ground supports of one row of the plurality of rows and respective ground supports of another row of the plurality of rows.

[0035] Each row may extend substantially parallel to the span of the plurality of cables.

[0036] The, or each, cable may be capable of supporting a uniformly distributed load of between approximately 500-5000 N / m. The, or each, cable may be configured to support a uniformly distributed load of over 1000 N / m. The, or each, cable may be configured to support a uniformly distributed load of up to 5000 N / m.

[0037] According to another aspect, there is provided a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures comprising multiple support structures having any of the features described herein.

[0038] The arrays described herein may be an array of multiple bioreactor enclosures. According to a further aspect, there is provided a bioreactor comprising: a support structure having any of the features described above; and one or more bioreactor enclosures suspended from one or more cables of the support structure.

[0039] In use, the, or each, bioreactor enclosure may contain a culture medium for propagating an organism.

[0040] In any of the above aspects, the bioreactor may be a photobioreactor.

[0041] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0042] The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 a schematically illustrates a side view of an example of a single-level support structure for a bioreactor enclosure.

[0044] Figure 1 b schematically illustrates a plan view of an example of the single-level support structure of Figure 1 a.

[0045] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of an example of a multi-level support structure for a bioreactor enclosure.

[0046] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of the multi-level support structure of Figure 2.

[0047] Figure 4a schematically illustrates a side view of an example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0048] Figure 4b schematically illustrates a plan view of the support structure of Figure 4a.

[0049] Figure 4c schematically illustrates a side view of another example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0050] Figure 4d schematically illustrates a plan view of the support structure of Figure 4c.

[0051] Figure 5a schematically illustrates a side view of an example of a multi-level support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures. Figure 5b schematically illustrates a plan view of the multi-level support structure of Figure 5a.

[0052] Figure 5c schematically illustrates a side view of a further example of a multi-level support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0053] Figure 5d schematically illustrates a plan view of the support structure of Figure 5c.

[0054] Figure 6 schematically illustrates an example of rows of ground supports for a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0055] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0056] Figure 8a schematically illustrates a plan view of an example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0057] Figure 8b schematically illustrates a plan view of another example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0058] Figure 9a schematically illustrates a plan view of a further example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0059] Figure 9b schematically illustrates a plan view of another further example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures.

[0060] Figure 10 schematically illustrates an example of a ground support having multiple eyelets to which cables may be connected.

[0061] Figure 11 schematically illustrates an example of a plate for a ground support comprising multiple apertures to which cables may be connected.

[0062] Figure 12a schematically illustrates a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures where each enclosure does not have a safety cable.

[0063] Figure 12b schematically illustrates a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures where each enclosure has a corresponding safety cable.

[0064] Figure 13a schematically illustrates an implementation where the bioreactor enclosure is suspended from the cable by a continuous member that is looped between the cable and the bioreactor enclosure.

[0065] Figure 13b schematically illustrates another implementation where the bioreactor enclosure is suspended from the cable by a continuous member that is looped between the cable and the bioreactor enclosure. Figure 14a schematically illustrates a support structure having multiple catenary cables.

[0066] Figure 14b schematically illustrates another support structure having multiple catenary cables.

[0067] Figure 15a schematically illustrates a support structure where a single catenary cable is used to support multiple bioreactors.

[0068] Figure 15b schematically illustrates another support structure where a single catenary cable is used to support multiple bioreactors.

[0069] Figure 16 schematically illustrates a support structure having arms extending from the ground supports.

[0070] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The support structure described herein is primarily described in the context of a particular example in which the bioreactor is a photobioreactor. However, in other implementations, the bioreactor may be a different type of bioreactor.

[0072] A photobioreactor refers to any cultivation system designed for growing an autotropic or heterotrophic photosynthetic unicellular or multicellular organism. A photobioreactor can be used in the production of biofuels, such as biodiesel. A photobioreactor may define a volume or reactor chamber in which an organism can grow, reproduce and / or synthesise one or more output media. Any suitable organism may be grown in the photobioreactor. The organism may be an algae. The organism may be a microorganism such as a microalgae. The photobioreactor may be configured to contain the organism while it is propagating or otherwise living. The photobioreactor may be open (i.e. in communication with the atmosphere, for example a pond or raceway, or open to the atmosphere via a line or valve) or closed (i.e. not in communication with the atmosphere). The photobioreactor contains matter comprising the organism. The organism may be contained in a culture medium. The culture medium may comprise, for example, water and nutrients. The culture medium may comprise non-sterile seawater. In some examples, no freshwater may be used in the process. The nutrients may comprise one or more fertilisers, which may contain biologically accessible sources of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Other fertilisers may include potassium (K) and other trace elements. While contained in the photobioreactor, microalgae may synthesise one or more output media. The one or more output media may comprise one or more output molecular products. The output media may comprise a biofuel product. The output media may be a lipid, such as a triacylglyceride.

[0073] The photobioreactor comprises an enclosure. The enclosure can contain the organism being cultivated.

[0074] The photobioreactor enclosure may have one or more inlets. The inlet(s) may permit input media such as water, growth media, gases and nutrients to be introduced into the enclosure. The input media can be supplied as flows of solid, liquid or gaseous media. One or more of the input media flows may comprise a solid dissolved in a liquid. The input media flows may be flows or one or more gases, which may be a mixture of gases. The inlet(s) may also permit organisms that are to be cultivated in the photobioreactor enclosure to be introduced into it. The enclosure may also comprise one or more outlet(s) which permit culture media and / or organisms to be removed from the photobioreactor enclosure.

[0075] Empty space above the culture medium biofuel product synthesised by an organism inside the photobioreactor enclosure, which may be referred to as the headspace, can act as a venting space through an opening in the photobioreactor to the atmosphere and so prevent levels of oxygen in the system from rising to levels at which the photosynthetic activity of the organism is impeded through inhibition of RuBisCo. Such oxygen in the system may be both dissolved in the culture medium and present within gas inside the photobioreactor enclosure.

[0076] Gases supplied to the photobioreactor may encourage mixing of the contents of the photobioreactor and / or encourage one or more reaction products to float to the surface of the liquid contained within the photobioreactor. Atmospheric, recovered or flue gas-derived CO2 dissolved in seawater spontaneously forms HCOs’ which is transported into the cells of the organism where, using chemical energy derived from light in the chloroplast, it can be converted into biomass and triacylgylceride bio-oil. Uptake of CO2 from industrial flue gases confers a carbon negative footprint on the fuel.

[0077] Figure 1 shows an example of a support structure 100 for a bioreactor enclosure 150 that can be used, for example, for the cultivation of microalgae. The bioreactor enclosure 150 may be used in the production of biofuels, such as biodiesel. In this example, the bioreactor is a photobioreactor. The enclosure can be inflated with gas and / or liquid and can contain the microalgae being cultivated.

[0078] The enclosure may comprise a flexible, translucent membrane. The translucent membrane can allow light, such as sunlight or artificial light, to pass through the membrane and enter the interior of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the membrane may be transparent. The light entering the enclosure through the membrane may promote photosynthesis of organisms within the enclosure. Any suitable organism may be grown in the bioreactor. Non limiting examples include algae, bacteria and plants.

[0079] The bioreactor enclosure may further comprise one or more anchor points to anchor the enclosure to the ground and / or an attachment structure for attaching the enclosure to a support structure.

[0080] In the example of Figure 1 , the enclosure 150 comprises an attachment structure in the form of a support beam 151 for securing the enclosure to a support structure, as will be described in more detail below. The support beam may be a rail. The attachment structure may be fabricated from a material that is stiffer and / or stronger than the material of the membrane. For example, the attachment structure may be metallic. The attachment structure may be extruded. For example, the attachment structure may be an aluminium keder rail. The attachment structure may be located at the upper end of the enclosure. The enclosure may be suspended from the attachment structure. In other examples, the attachment structure may have other forms, such as eyelets that allow the enclosure to be attached to the support structure.

[0081] The bioreactor enclosures shown in other examples may also comprise such an attachment structure, though this may not be specifically shown in the figures.

[0082] The support structure 100 comprises two ground supports 101 and 102 that are in direct or indirect contact with the ground. The ground level is indicated at 160. In the example of Figure 1 , the lower end of the ground supports 101 , 102 are buried in the ground by a depth dP. In other implementations, the ground supports may be connected to another foundation anchored to the ground. The supports 101 , 102 are separated by a distance w and extend above the ground to a height H.

[0083] The support structure 100 comprises a tensioned wire system comprising a supporting cable assembly. A cable 103 extends between the two supports 101 , 102. There may be a single (i.e. only one) cable extending between the supports 101 , 102. The cable may be flexible. The cable may be a catenary cable. The catenary cable can sag under a uniformly distributed load into a catenary shape. The cable may be a wire.

[0084] Supports 101 , 102 are preferably elongate and in this example extend substantially vertically relative to the ground level 160. The ground supports may have other forms than the posts shown in Figure 1. For example, the ground supports could be A- frames or hoops secured to the ground. Each ground support may have one or more legs coupled to the ground either directly or indirectly via a foundation structure.

[0085] In the examples described herein, the support structure comprises one or more members connectable or connected to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure for suspending the bioreactor enclosure from the cable.

[0086] Multiple members, one of which is indicated at 104, extend from the cable 103 to an attachment structure 151 at the upper end of the enclosure 100. The members of the type 104 may be hanging supports that are suspended from the cable 103. In this example, the members extend substantially vertically from the cable (relative to the ground level). In this example, at least some of the members have different lengths.

[0087] An additional safety cable 105 between the posts may also be used for additional support to prevent the supports 101 , 102 deflecting outwards. The safety cable 105 may extend between the supports 101 , 102 substantially horizontally. The safety cable 105 may be suspended above the cable 103.

[0088] In Figure 1 , the catenary cable 103 sags between supports 101 , 102 by a depth S. An increase in sag depth S results in a reduction in the required tensile strength of the cable to support a given load, and therefore a reduction in the required cable thickness to support a given load. Therefore, the sag of the cable can be chosen appropriately depending on the load that is to be supported. Members 104 of different lengths can support the enclosure 150 horizontally along the cable as it sags.

[0089] One or more of the ground supports 101 , 102 of the support structure 100 may comprise one or more ground anchors to further anchor the support structure to the ground. In Figure 1 , the ground support 101 comprises additional ground anchors. In this example, the ground anchors are cables in the form of backstay supports 106, 107. The cables are secured to the ground by pegs 108, 109. The pegs are buried in the ground by a depth db. The backstays may be at an angle x degrees relative to the ground level 160. The angle x may be, for example, 30 degrees.

[0090] There may be equivalent ground anchors on the opposing side of the support structure. In this example, the ground support 102 comprises ground anchors which are cables in the form of backstay supports 110, 111. The cables are secured to the ground by securing components, which in this example are pegs 112, 113. The pegs are buried in the ground by a depth db. The backstays may be at an angle x degrees relative to the ground level. The angle x may be less than 90 degrees. The angle x may be, for example, 30 degrees. In the example described herein, the ground supports and / or ground anchors are preferably arranged symmetrically on either side of the enclosure. However, in some cases this may not be possible. For example, there may be obstructions at ground level such as rocks or trees, and the ground supports and / or ground anchors may be arranged non-symmetrically on each side of the enclosure to avoid such obstructions.

[0091] Figure 1 b shows the support structure 100 from above. The backstay supports 108, 109, 112, 113 may be secured to the ground at an angle y degrees from the direction of span of the cable 103. The angle y may be less than 90 degrees. The angle y may be, for example, 30 degrees.

[0092] The support structure 100 may for example have a width and height of at least 1 metre, preferably several meters. For example, the support structure may have a width w of 10m and a height H of 3.5m. The support structure may have a maximum width w of 50m and a maximum height H of 10m.

[0093] The support structure may be capable of supporting a hanging uniformly distributed load (UDL) of up to 5000 N / m, for example up to 2500 N / m. The length of the hanging load and the height of the ground supports can be adjusted to modify the forces that the supports and backstays experience.

[0094] As shown in Figure 2, a tensioned wire system can be used at multiple levels on the side supports to support multiple enclosures.

[0095] The support structure 200 shown in Figure 2 comprises two ground supports 201 and 202 that are in direct or indirect contact with the ground. In the example of Figure 2, the ground supports are posts and the lower end of the ground supports 201 , 202 are buried in the ground by a depth dP. In other implementations, the ground supports may be connected to another foundation anchored to the ground. The ground supports 201 , 202 are separated by a distance w and extend above the ground to a height H1. At the upper end of the ground supports 201 , 202 (for example, at height H1 , a cable 203 extends between the two supports 201 , 202. The cable 203 may be a catenary cable. There may be a single (i.e. only one) catenary wire extending between the supports 201 , 202. Each bioreactor enclosure may be suspended from a single catenary cable.

[0096] Multiple members, one of which is indicated at 204, extend from the catenary wire 203 to a bioreactor enclosure 250. In this example, the members extend substantially vertically (relative to ground level) from the cable 203. The members may extend in a direction perpendicular to the span of the cable 203. The members may be configured for connection to an attachment structure (not shown) at the upper end of the enclosure 250. The members of the type 204 may be hanging members that are suspended from the catenary wire 203. The members may be physically attached to the cable (for example, with clips or carabiners) or may, for example, hung over the cable, with the two ends of the members both being connected to the bioreactor enclosure.

[0097] A safety cable 205 between the posts may also be used for additional support to prevent the supports 201 , 202 deflecting outwards. The safety cable may be a wire. The safety cable 205 may extend between the supports 201 , 202 substantially horizontally. The sag of the safety cable may be less than the sag of the catenary cable. The safety cable may be more taught than the catenary cable. The safety cable 205 may be arranged above the catenary cable 203.

[0098] In Figure 2, the catenary cable 203 sags between supports 201 , 202 by a depth S. In this example, hanger wires 204 of different lengths support the enclosure 250 along its width.

[0099] The support structure of Figure 2 is a multi-level support structure for supporting multiple bioreactor enclosures. In addition to the cable 203 that supports enclosure 250, the support structure comprises a second cable 253. The second cable 253 is suspended between the supports 201 , 202 at a height lower than the height of the first cable 203. In this example, the second cable 253 is a catenary cable suspended between the supports 201 , 202 at a height H2, where H2<H1 . H1 may equal at least 2xH2. The second catenary cable may have a sag S relative to the vertical position of connection to the ground supports.

[0100] Multiple members, one of which is indicated at 254, extend from the cable 253 to a second bioreactor enclosure 260. The members may be configured for connection to an attachment structure (not shown) at the upper end of the enclosure 260. The members of the type 254 may be hanging supports that are suspended from the catenary cable 253. The members of the type 254 may have one or more features of the members of the type 204 described previously.

[0101] Optionally, there is a second safety cable 255 for additional support to prevent the supports 201 , 202 deflecting outwards. The safety cable 205 may extend between the supports 201 , 202 substantially horizontally. The safety cable 255 may be arranged above the cable 253. The safety cable 255 may have one or more of the features of safety cable 205 described above.

[0102] One or more of the ground supports of the support structure 200 may comprise one or more ground anchors to further anchor the support structure to the ground 160.

[0103] In Figure 2, the ground supports 201 and 202 of the support structure 200 comprise ground anchors in the form of backstay supports 206, 207 and 212, 213 respectively secured to the ground by pegs 210, 211 and 217, 216 respectively. These ground anchors are secured to the supports 201 , 202 at the level of the first bioreactor enclosure 250. For example, at the upper end of the supports 201 , 202 at a height H1 from ground level.

[0104] The ground supports 201 , 202 of the support structure 200 mays also comprise further ground anchors in the form of backstay supports 208, 209 and 214, 215 secured to the ground by pegs 210, 211 and 217, 216 respectively. These ground anchors extend from the supports 201 , 202 at the level of the second bioreactor enclosure 260. For example, at approximately the middle of the supports 201 , 202 at a height H2 from ground level.

[0105] The pegs are buried in the ground by a depth db. In this example, the ground anchors are at an angle x degrees relative to the ground level. This may be, for example, 30 degrees for the lower ground anchors 208, 209, 214, 215 and 60 degrees for the upper ground anchors 206, 207, 213, 214.

[0106] The support structure 200 may for example have a width and height of at least 1 metre, preferably several meters. For example, the support structure may have a width w of 10m and a height H1 of 3.5m. The height H2 may be 1 ,75m.

[0107] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the multi-layer support structure of Figure 2 without the bioreactor enclosures in place.

[0108] In some implementations, the support structure may support an array of bioreactor enclosure, at a single level or multiple levels.

[0109] Figures 4a and 4b show a side view and plan view respectively of an example of a support structure 300 for supporting a single-level array of multiple bioreactor enclosures.

[0110] In the side view of Figure 4a, there are multiple ground supports. In this example, the ground supports are in the form of posts buried in the ground to a depth dP. The posts are substantially vertical, relative to ground level 160. Between ground supports 301 , 302 is suspended a first cable 303 and a first safety cable 305. The safety cable is optional. As described above, from cable 303 are suspended multiple members, one of which is indicated at 304. A first bioreactor enclosure 350 is suspended from the multiple members suspended from cable 303. The support 320 shown in Figure 4a is an additional ground support. There is a further ground support 321 behind support 320, as shown in Figure 4b. These ground supports 320, 312 are cross-braced to the supports 301 , 302 by cross-braces 322, 323, 324, 325. The cross-braces may be cables.

[0111] A second cable 310 and a second safety cable 312 are suspended between support 302 and a further support 328. From cable 312 are suspended multiple members, one of which is indicated at 311 . A second bioreactor enclosure 360 is suspended from the multiple members suspended from catenary wire 310. The support 326 shown in Figure 4a is an additional ground support. There is a further ground support 327 behind support 326 (not visible in the view of Figure 4a), as shown in Figure 4b. These ground supports 326, 317 are cross-braced to the supports 302, 328 by cross-braces 328, 329, 330, 331 . The cross-braces may be cables.

[0112] The ground supports may also comprise ground anchors for further support. As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the support structure 400 comprises ground anchors in the form of backstay supports 306, 307 secured to the ground by pegs 308, 309. These backstays are secured to the support 301 at the upper end of the support 301 at a height H1 from ground level. There may be equivalent backstay at the opposite end of the support structure for the array of bioreactor enclosures. In the exemplary support structure of Figure 4a and 4b, the support structure 400 comprises backstay supports 332, 333 secured to the ground by pegs 334, 335. These backstay supports are secured to the support 328 at the upper end of the support 328 at a height H1 from ground level.

[0113] Figures 4c and 4d illustrate an alternative implementation where the outer rows of ground supports on either side of the enclosures (i.e. ground supports 320, 321 , 326 and 327) are not present and the central ground support 302 of the structure between the two enclosures comprises ground anchors. In this example, the ground anchors are in the form of backstay supports 336, 338 secured to the ground by pegs 337, 339. These backstays are in this example secured to the support 302 at the upper end of the support 302 at a height H1 from ground level. Figure 5a and 5b show a side view and plan view respectively of an example of a support structure 400 for supporting a multi-level array of multiple bioreactor enclosures. In this example, there are two levels in the multi-level array. In other examples, there may be more than two levels. For example, there may be 3, 4, 5 or 6 levels. The enclosures of an upper level of the multi-level array are suspended from cables whose ends are connected to the ground supports at a height H1 from ground level. The enclosures of a lower level of the multi-level array are suspended from cables whose ends are connected to the ground supports at a height H2 from ground level. H2 is less than H1 . H1 may equal 2xH2.

[0114] In the side view of Figure 5a, there are multiple substantially vertical ground supports. The ground supports are in the form of posts buried in the ground to a depth dP.

[0115] Ground supports 401 and 402 are configured to support a first column of bioreactor enclosures of an array of bioreactors.

[0116] Between ground supports 401 and 402 is suspended a first cable 403 and a first safety cable 405. The cable 403 may be catenary cable. As described above, from cable 403 are suspended multiple members, one of which is indicated at 404. A first bioreactor enclosure 450 is suspended from the multiple members suspended from cable 403. This arrangement forms part of the upper level of the multi-level support structure for the bioreactor array.

[0117] The support 417 shown in Figure 5a is an additional ground support. There is a further ground support 418 behind support 417 on the other side of the enclosure 450, as shown in Figure 5b. These ground supports 417, 418 are cross-braced to the supports 401 , 402 by cross-braces 406, 407, 408, 409. The cross-braces may be cables.

[0118] A second cable 410 and a second safety cable 412 are suspended between supports 401 and 402. From cable 410 are suspended multiple members, one of which is indicated at 411. A second bioreactor enclosure 455 is suspended from the multiple members suspended from cable 410. This arrangement forms part of the lower level of the multi-level support structure for the bioreactor array.

[0119] Ground supports 402 and 419 are configured to support a second column of bioreactor enclosures of an array of bioreactors.

[0120] Between ground supports 402 and 419 is suspended a third cable 420 and a third safety cable 422. The cable 420 may be a catenary cable. As described above, from cable 420 are suspended multiple members, one of which is indicated at 421 . A third bioreactor enclosure 460 is suspended from the multiple members suspended from cable 420. This arrangement forms part of the upper level of the multi-level support structure for the bioreactor array.

[0121] The support 427 shown in Figure 5a is an additional ground support. There is a further ground support 428 behind support 427 on the other side of the enclosure 460, as shown in Figure 5b. These ground supports 427, 428 are cross-braced to the supports 402, 419 by cross-braces 423, 424, 425, 426. The cross-braces may comprise cables.

[0122] A fourth cable 429 and a fourth safety cable 431 are suspended between supports 402 and 419. Cable 429 may be a catenary cable. From cable 429 are suspended multiple members, one of which is indicated at 430. A fourth bioreactor enclosure 465 is suspended from the multiple members suspended from cable 429. This arrangement forms part of the lower level of the multi-level support structure for the bioreactor array.

[0123] One or more of the ground supports may also comprise one or more ground anchors. As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the ground support 401 comprises ground anchors in the form of backstay supports 470, 471 , 472 and 473 of ground support 401 secured to the ground by pegs 475, 476. The backstays 470 and 471 are secured to the support 401 at the upper end of the support 401 at a height H1 from ground level. The backstays 472 and 473 are secured to the support 401 at a height H2 from ground level. There may be equivalent ground anchors at the opposite end of the support structure for the array of bioreactor enclosures. In the exemplary support structure of Figure 4a and 4b, the ground support 419 comprises ground anchors 480, 481 , 482 and 483 of ground support 419 secured to the ground by pegs 484, 485.

[0124] The backstays 480 and 481 are secured to the ground support 419 at the upper end of the support 419 at a height H1 from ground level. The backstays 482 and 483 are secured to the support 419 at a height H2 from ground level.

[0125] Figures 5c and 5d illustrate an alternative implementation where the outer rows of ground supports on either side of the enclosures (i.e. ground supports 417, 418, 427 and 428) are not present and the central ground support 402 of the structure between the two enclosures comprises ground anchors. In this example, the ground anchors are in the form of backstay supports 486, 488 secured to the ground by pegs 487, 489. These backstays are in this example secured to the support 402 at the upper end of the support 402 at a height H1 from ground level.

[0126] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another example of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures, showing the ground supports only. In this example, the ground supports are posts that are substantially vertical relative to ground level. The ground supports may have other forms.

[0127] The support structure may comprise multiple rows of ground supports. Each row may comprise one or more ground supports, preferably a plurality of ground supports.

[0128] In the example shown in Figure 6, each of the multiple rows comprises a plurality of ground supports. A first row of ground supports comprises ground supports 601 , 602 and 603. A second row of ground supports comprises ground supports 604, 605, 606 and 607. A third row of ground supports comprises ground supports 608, 609 and 610. In this example, at least some of the rows have different numbers of ground supports. In other examples, all rows may have the same number of ground supports. The rows may be substantially parallel.

[0129] To each of the ground supports in a row is / are attached one or more cables. Optionally, to each of the ground supports in a row is / are attached one or more safety cables. To each of the ground supports in a row is / are attached one or more crossbrace supports. The cross-brace supports extend between ground supports in different rows. The cross-brace supports may be cables or wires.

[0130] Optionally, each of the ground supports in the outer rows of ground supports comprises one or more ground anchors. The ground anchors may be in the form of cables, which may be wires. The ground anchors may be anchored to the ground by pegs, or other components or structures.

[0131] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures with the catenary cables and members connected thereto, cross-braces and ground anchors in place. Only the ground supports have been labelled for simplicity. The components are labelled in the plan view of Figure 8a.

[0132] Figure 8a shows a plan view of a support structure for an array of seven bioreactor enclosures (or 14 separate enclosures for a two-level arrangement).

[0133] As discussed above, a first row of ground supports comprises ground supports 601 , 602 and 603. The first row of ground supports can support a first row of bioreactor enclosures, which are not shown in Figure 8a for simplicity. The first row of bioreactor enclosures may comprise multiple columns of bioreactor enclosures. For example there may be two levels of bioreactor enclosures. Each bioreactor enclosure is suspended from a respective cable assembly. The cable assembly comprises a cable, which may be a catenary cable, and multiple members connected to the cable. In Figure 8a, there are shown cable assemblies 611 and 612 with cables suspended between pairs of ground supports 601 , 602 and 602, 603 respectively. Optionally, there may be additional safety cables between the pairs of ground supports. Figure 8a shows safety cables 613 and 614 suspended between pairs of ground supports 601 , 602 and 602, 603 respectively. The safety cables are suspended between the pairs of ground supports above the catenary cables.

[0134] As discussed above, a second row of ground supports comprises ground supports 604, 605, 606 and 607. The second row of ground supports can support a second row of bioreactor enclosures, which are not shown in Figure 8a for simplicity. The second row of bioreactor enclosures may comprise multiple columns of bioreactor enclosures. For example, in each column there may be two levels of bioreactor enclosures. Each bioreactor enclosure is suspended from a respective cable assembly. In Figure 8a, there are shown cable assemblies 615, 616 and 617 with cables suspended between pairs of ground supports 604 and 605, 605 and 606, 606 and 607 respectively. Optionally, there may be additional safety cables between the pairs of ground supports. Figure 8a shows safety cables 618, 619 and 620 suspended between pairs of ground supports 604 and 605, 605 and 606, 606 and 607 respectively.

[0135] As discussed above, a third row of ground supports comprises ground supports 608, 609 and 610. The third row of ground supports can support a third row of bioreactor enclosures, which are not shown in Figure 8a for simplicity. The third row of bioreactor enclosures may comprise multiple columns of bioreactor enclosures. For example, in each column there may be two levels of bioreactor enclosures. Each bioreactor enclosure is suspended from a respective cable assembly. In Figure 8a, there are shown cable assemblies 621 and 622 with cables suspended between pairs of ground supports 608 and 609, and 609 and 610 respectively. Optionally, there may be additional safety cables between the pairs of ground supports. Figure 8a shows additional safety cables 623 and 624 suspended between pairs of ground supports 608 and 609, and 609 and 610 respectively.

[0136] The first row of ground supports 601 , 602, 603 is a first outer row of ground supports, meaning that there are only other ground supports on one side of the row. The third row of ground supports 608, 609, 610 is a second outer row of ground supports. The second row of ground supports 604, 605, 606, 607 is an intermediate row of ground supports, meaning that there are other rows of ground supports on each side of the second row. The intermediate row comprising ground supports 604, 605, 606, 607 is between the first outer row and the second outer row.

[0137] The rows may extend parallel to the span of the cables suspended between pairs of ground supports in the rows.

[0138] Between one or more ground supports in the intermediate row and outer rows there may be cross-brace supports. In Figure 8a, each ground support of the intermediate row is cross-braced to one or more ground supports in each outer row. Ground support 604 is cross-braced to ground supports 601 and 608 by cross-brace supports 625 and 626 respectively. Ground support 605 is cross-braced to ground supports 601 , 602, 608 and 609 by cross-brace supports 627, 628, 629 and 630 respectively. Ground support 606 is cross-braced to ground supports 602, 609, 603 and 610 by cross-brace supports 631 , 632, 633 and 634 respectively. Ground support 607 is cross-braced to ground supports 603 and 610 by cross-brace supports 635 and 636 respectively.

[0139] The ground supports in the outer rows and / or the ground supports at the end of the intermediate row(s) may comprise ground anchors. The ground anchors may extend between the respective ground supports and the ground. The ground anchors may be secured to the ground by a securing component, such as a peg or other structure or component.

[0140] In Figure 8a, ground support 604 comprises ground anchors 637 and 638, which are secured to the ground by securing components 639 and 640 respectively. Ground support 607 comprises ground anchors 641 and 642, which are secured to the ground by securing components 643 and 644 respectively. Ground supports 601 , 602 and 603 comprise ground anchors 645, 646 and 647 respectively, which are secured to the ground by securing components 648 649 and 650 respectively. Ground supports 608, 609 and 610 comprise ground anchors 651 , 652 and 653 respectively, which are secured to the ground by securing components 654 655 and 656 respectively.

[0141] The rows of ground supports may be spaced apart by a distance n. The ground anchors may be secured to the ground at a distance 2n from the ground support. The angle x is preferably less than 90 degrees. The angle x may be, for example 30 degrees. Ground supports within a row may be spaced apart by a distance m.

[0142] The distances n and m may be more than one meter, preferably multiple metres, n may be, for example, approximately 1 -10m. m may be, for example approximately 1- 20m. The distance n may be, for example, 3m and the distance m may be, for example 10m.

[0143] Figure 8b shows a plan view of a support structure for an array of 20 bioreactor enclosures. In other examples, the array may accommodate different numbers of bioreactors. In this example, there are 5 rows of ground supports. Each row may comprise an equal number of ground supports. In this example, each row comprises 5 ground supports. In this example, all ground supports in the first and second outer rows of ground supports comprise a ground anchor and the first and last ground supports in the intermediate rows (i.e. rows 2 to 4) each comprise two ground anchors.

[0144] A cross-braced layout with cross-braces between different rows of ground supports may enable a more cost-effective structure with fewer ground anchors.

[0145] Figure 9a shows an alternative arrangement where the bioreactor enclosures are suspended from the support structure in a hexagonal array. The hexagonal array increases the number of photobioreactors that can be supported directly per post without any eccentric loading.

[0146] The support structure for the array of bioreactor enclosures comprises multiple ground supports. There may be at least 7 ground supports. In this example, there are 10 ground supports. Each ground support is attached to multiple cables. In this example, there are three rows of ground supports (R1 , R2, R3). The inner ground supports in the intermediate row R2, shown at 901 , 902, are each connected to six catenary cables. In general, in the exemplary support structure for the array of bioreactor enclosures, at least one ground support of the multiple ground supports is connected to six catenary cables.

[0147] Support structures of this type can provide sub-structures of a larger super-structure array for the suspension of bioreactor enclosures. Figure 9b shows how braces (for example, cables, which may be flexible and / or in tension), one of which is indicated at 950, between ground supports of two adjacent sub-structures of hexagonal arrays can be used to provide access channels between the ground supports in the superstructure. The braces above the access channels can support the ground supports. The ground supports at either end of the access channels can also be supported by backstays secured to the ground. The access channels can be used to provide vehicular access to the array, as shown in Figure 9b.

[0148] The catenary cable, optional safety cable and optional ground anchor may be attached to the ground supports, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 shows an example of a ground support 1001 having eyelets 1002, 1003 to which a component 1004 may be attached, which may be for example a catenary cable, safety cable and / or ground anchor, cross-brace or backstay. The ground support may generally comprise one or more eyelets or other attachment structures to which these components may be attached.

[0149] Figure 11 shows an example of a plate 1100 that can be attached to a ground support posts and allows catenary cables, safety cables and / or ground anchors, cross-braces or backstays to be connected to the supports. The plate has a plurality of apertures, such as those indicated at 1101 and 1102.

[0150] The additional safety cable above the catenary cable allows individual enclosures in an array to be drained while maintaining the structural integrity of the array. The additional safety cable can take the load when the catenary cable is unloaded but there is still horizontal tension in the array.

[0151] Figures 12a and 12b show examples of an array of bioreactor enclosures supported by respective support structures 1201 , 1202, 1203.

[0152] As shown in Figure 12a, without the additional safety cables, the ground supports of the support structures may deflect when one or more of enclosures suspended from the catenary cables are emptied. In this example, the enclosures of support structure segments 1201 and 1203 are filled and the enclosure of segment 1202 is empty.

[0153] Figure 12b shows the three enclosures in the array when the safety cable of support structure segment 1202 for the empty enclosure is tightened relative to the safety cable of support structure segments 1201 , 1203, which are more slack, as these support structure segments are supporting filled enclosures.

[0154] The tension in the safety cable may automatically increase to take up the load of adjacent enclosures when a central enclosure is emptied by taking advantage of the slight deflection outwards of the ground supports on their side of an empty tank.

[0155] Optionally, the safety cable may be configured (for example, manually or automatically) to have a greater tension when an enclosure suspended by its corresponding catenary cable is empty. The tension in the safety cable may be varied in dependence on the uniformly distributed load supported its corresponding catenary cable.

[0156] Tightening the safety cable when enclosures are empty may help to maintain tension in the array and prevent the ground supports from bowing outwards or inwards.

[0157] Using shared ground supports for adjacent enclosures, as described in the previous examples, may allow for a reduction in costs, as fewer ground support and / or ground anchors are required. However, it is also possible to use separate pairs ground supports for each enclosure in an array. This may allow the spans between some of the ground supports to not have a cable from which a bioreactor enclosure can be suspended. This may be useful when the terrain in a particular area is not suitable for hanging an enclosure. For example, there may be a large rock or tree between two of the ground supports. In some implementations, greater than 60, 70 or 80% of pairs of ground supports in the support structure may have a bioreactor enclosure suspended from a cable secured therebetween.

[0158] When an enclosure is suspended from a support structure, the enclosure may not contact the ground. This may help to prevent damage to the enclosure.

[0159] In the above-described examples, the bioreactor enclosure is suspended from the cable via multiple members extending from the cable to the enclosure. Alternatively, the enclosure may be suspended from the cable using a single (i.e. only one) member, which may be a cable or wire. An example of such an alternative implementation for the support structure and enclosure shown in Figure 1 a is schematically illustrated in Figure 13a. A single member 170 may be secured to the attachment structure 151 of the bioreactor enclosure. The member 170 may extend between the cable 103 and the attachment structure 151 multiple times along the width of the attachment structure 151 . The member 170 may loop up and over the cable 103 and then back down to the attachment structure 151 at multiple points along the width of the attachment structure 151. The member 170 may be received in features such as eyelets 152 of the attachment structure 151. This alternative implementation may be applied to any of the examples described herein. The use of a single cable which is laced between the attachment structure 151 and the cable 103 can allow the tension in all of the links to be adjusted with a single tensioning element, for example a turn buckle.

[0160] Figure 13b schematically illustrates another implementation where the bioreactor enclosure is suspended from the cable 103 by a continuous member 170. The continuous member may in some cases be formed from multiple individual members joined together. The continuous member 170 is looped between the cable and the bioreactor enclosure. This example uses equalised lacing to suspend the enclosure from the cable. The catenary cable is connected to the enclosure, for example to the rail 151 at the top of the enclosure, by a single member 170, for example a wire, which equalises the loading along the catenary cable. The single member 170 is attached to the enclosure at multiple positions. The multiple attachment positions of the member 170 to the enclosure and the catenary cable are located such that the load is evenly distributed between the attachment points.

[0161] Figure 14a schematically illustrates a support structure 1400 having multiple cables 103, which in this example are catenary cables, suspended between two ground supports 101 , 102. The multiple cables may be suspended at approximately the same vertical position on each of the ground supports. One or more cables may be angled relative to the plane of the ground supports. One or more of the multiple cables may be angled out of the plane of the two ground supports. This can allow to hang multiple enclosures from one pair of ground supports.

[0162] In the example shown in Figure 14a, one cable is suspended such that it lies in the plane of the two ground supports and is not angled. The other two cables are angled relative to the plane of the ground supports.

[0163] In some implementations, all of the multiple cables suspended between the two ground supports may be angled relative to the plane of the ground supports. All of the multiple cables may be angled out of the plane of the two ground supports. This arrangement may be used where there is an even number of cables.

[0164] In this example, there are also cross braces 1450 between each pair of ground supports 101 , 102 of multiple support structures 1400 to form an array.

[0165] The length of the multiple cables may be adjusted so that the top ends of (for example, the horizontal rails of) the respective enclosures that they support are at the same height. That is, where one or more of the cables are angled out of the plane of the two ground supports, the vertical component of each of the multiple cables may be equal. The enclosures being supported by the cables could be held apart laterally by braces 1401 . The parallel rails of the enclosures being supported by the cables could be held apart by the braces 1401. The braces may be maintained in compression. This can maintain enclosure frames that are structurally independent from the adjacent frames, as shown in Figure 14a.

[0166] Figure 14b schematically illustrates another support structure having multiple catenary cables where the bioreactor enclosures (for example, the top rails thereof) suspended by adjacent support structures 1400 are held apart by members (for example, wires) 1460. The members may be maintained in tension. This may reduce the total material required to support multiple parallel enclosures.

[0167] Figure 15a schematically illustrates a support structure where a single cable suspended between a pair of ground supports is used to support multiple bioreactor enclosures. In this example, the cable is a catenary cable. The support structure comprises an intermediate structure 1500. The members 104 are attached to the enclosure indirectly via the intermediate structure. The intermediate structure can be attached to multiple bioreactor enclosures 150. The members 104 extending from the cable 103 are connected to the intermediate member. The members 104 are connected to the bioreactor enclosures 150 indirectly via the intermediate structure 1500 to suspend the multiple enclosures from the cable 103.

[0168] The intermediate structure 1500 may be suspended by multiple members 104 in the form of a triangular hanger. The members 104 may be angled with respect to the plane of the cable 103. The members 104 may be at an angle to the structure 1500. The intermediate structure may be formed of a horizontal compressive beam suspended by members 104 extending from the cable 103 in tension. The members (for example, wires) in tension could be in a single plane. The multiple members may form a triangle with the intermediate structure, or could be arranged as four submembers forming a tetrahedron. The members 104 may link the intermediate structure 1500 to the catenary cable 103 directly as shown in Figure 15a. Figure 15b schematically illustrates another support structure where a single cable is used to support multiple bioreactors. The members 104 link the horizontal beams of the intermediate structure 1500 to the catenary cable 103 indirectly, in this example via a shared beam 1501 in the plane of the catenary cable 103. The multiple bioreactor enclosures may be suspended at approximately the same vertical position with respect to the ground supports.

[0169] Figure 16 schematically illustrates a support structure where the ground supports comprise at their upper ends arms 1600a, 1600b extending from the ground supports. The arms 1600a, 1600b are shown for ground support 102 in Figure 16. Ground support 101 also has arms. The arms extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axes of the ground supports. One or more cables 103 can be suspended between corresponding arms of the two ground supports 101 , 102. The arms allow multiple catenary cables to be suspended between a pair of ground supports, and as a result multiple enclosures 150 to be suspended from one pair of ground supports 101 , 102. The multiple cables are suspended parallel to each other. The multiple cables are spaced apart along the arms 1600a, 1600b. The multiple cables are spaced apart transverse to the longitudinal axes of the ground supports. The spacing, or eccentricity can be adjusted to provide the desired light access. For this structure, the stability of the structure, or rows thereof, is typically dependent on the eccentric loads on either side having equal mass so that there is no net moment on the ground supports. To achieve this for liquid loads that may unexpectedly drain, multiple enclosures 150 suspended from the multiple cables 103 may be in fluid communication so that they behave as a single liquid volume.

[0170] In the example shown in Figure 16, the support structure comprises an additional safety cable 105 running between the arms linearly along the array in line with the attachment points for each cable 103.

[0171] An array of multiple bioreactors may be arranged around a central pump station. Each bioreactor may be connected with the pump station for the supply of the input media. The harvesting and exchange of the microalgae and culture medium can be effected via tubes between the bioreactors and the pump station, and from the pump station to a processing plant.

[0172] The support structures described herein can aid the efficient production of bio-oil, which when produced from cultures supplied with flue gas, constitutes a carbon negative drop-in biofuel for marine and heavy transport as well as a carbon negative SAF feedstock and other petrochemical products. Using this approach, the delivery of sustainable low carbon biofuel, or other biomass or metabolic products at scale with minimal environmental impact can be achieved using marine microalgae cultured in photobioreactors in non-agricultural land, as well as, by capitalising on the capabilities of microalgae strains, in semi-arid and arid areas. The latter not only provides a route to biofuel production without compromising agricultural land and freshwater resources, but also for semi-arid and arid areas with sparse of no vegetation. This may increase global photosynthetic capacity, allowing for a reduction in atmospheric CO2 reservoir.

[0173] The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

[0174] Within this specification, the term "about" means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%. Within this specification, the term "comprises" encompasses the terms "consists essentially of" and “consists of”. Thus, the term "comprising" encompasses "including" as well as “consisting essentially of” and "consisting of'. Within this specification, the term "substantially" means a deviation of plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%. Within this specification, reference to “substantially” includes reference to “completely” and / or “exactly.” That is, where the word substantially is included, it will be appreciated that this also includes reference to the particular sentence without the word substantially. Within this specification, reference to “vertical” or “vertically” refers to this direction when the support structure is in its intended orientation in use. For example, when an enclosure is suspended from a support structure. The ‘vertical’ direction may be perpendicular to the ground level (i.e. in a direction towards the centre of the Earth). The terms “upper” and “lower” are also used in the context of when the support structure is in its intended orientation for use.

[0175] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.

[0176] In this disclosure, when the subject of a phase is described as being "configured to" or “arranged to”, followed by a term defining a condition or function, this is used to indicate that the subject of the phrase is in a state in which it has that condition, or is able to perform that function, without the subject being modified or further configured. Some implementations may be described using the expressions “one / an embodiment” or “one / an example,” along with their derivatives. These terms mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Moreover, unless otherwise noted the features described above are recognized to be usable together in any combination. Thus, any features discussed separately may be employed in combination with each other unless it is noted that the features are incompatible with each other.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A support structure for a bioreactor enclosure, the support structure comprising: two ground supports configured for coupling to the ground; a cable suspended between the two ground supports; and one or more members extending from the cable, the or each member being connectable to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure to suspend the bioreactor enclosure from the cable.

2. The support structure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the or each member is connectable to the cable at one end and configured at the opposite end for connecting to the bioreactor enclosure.

3. The support structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the support structure comprises multiple members, wherein preferably each of the multiple members extends substantially vertically between the cable and the bioreactor enclosure.

4. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises multiple members, wherein each of the multiple members extends substantially parallel to the ground supports.

5. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bioreactor enclosure is suspended from a single cable.

6. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each member is secured to an attachment structure of the bioreactor enclosure, wherein the attachment structure of the bioreactor enclosure comprises a support beam or one or more eyelets.

7. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises multiple members, wherein the multiple members extend substantially perpendicular to the span of the cable.

8. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the two ground supports are on opposing sides of the bioreactor enclosure.

9. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure is a multi-level support structure for the suspension of multiple bioreactor enclosures, wherein each bioreactor enclosure is suspended from a respective cable suspended between the two ground supports at a respective level of the support structure.

10. The support structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein each bioreactor enclosure is suspended from a single cable at the respective level of the support structure.11 . The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the ground supports comprises one or more ground anchors.

12. The support structure as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the one or more ground anchors comprise a cable extending between the respective body of the ground support and the ground at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the respective ground support.

13. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises a further ground support, wherein a first set of one or more bioreactor enclosures is suspended from respective one or more cables suspended between first and second ones of the two ground supports and wherein a second set of one or more bioreactor enclosures is suspended from respective one or more cables suspended between the second one of the two ground supports and the further ground support.

14. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the, or each, cable is configured to support a uniformly distributed load of over 1000 N / m.

15. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises a single continuous member being connectable to the cable and the bioreactor enclosure to suspend the bioreactor enclosure from the cable.

16. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cable is angled relative to the plane of the ground supports.

17. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises one or more further cables suspended between the two ground supports, one or more of the further cables being angled relative to the plane of the ground supports.

18. The support structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support structure comprises one or more further members extending from the one or more further cables, the or each further member being connectable or connected to the one or more further cables and one or more further bioreactor enclosures to suspend the one or more further bioreactor enclosures from the one or more further cables.

19. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises an intermediate structure, the or each member being connectable to the cable and the intermediate structure to suspend multiple bioreactor enclosures from the cable via the intermediate structure.

20. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ground supports each comprise one or more arms, each arm extending from the respective ground support in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axes of the ground supports, the cable being suspended between corresponding arms of the two ground supports.

21. A support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of rows of ground supports, each row comprising one or more ground supports, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of cables suspended between pairs of the ground supports in one or more of the multiple rows of ground supports.

22. The support structure as claimed in claim 21 , wherein each ground support is attached to multiple cables.

23. The support structure as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein one or more of the ground supports is / are attached to six cables.

24. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the array of bioreactor enclosures is a hexagonal array.

25. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the support structure comprises one or more cross-braces between respective ground supports in adjacent rows of the plurality of rows.

26. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the support structure comprises one or more members extending from each cable, the or each member being securable to the respective cable and a respective bioreactor enclosure to suspend the respective bioreactor enclosure from the respective cable.

27. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26, wherein the plurality of rows of ground supports comprises a first outer row, a second outer row and one or more intermediate rows disposed between the first outer row and the second outer row.

28. The support structure as claimed in claim 27, wherein one or more ground supports of the first outer row and / or the second outer row comprise one or more ground anchors.

29. The support structure as claimed in claim 28, wherein the one or more ground anchors comprise a cable extending between the respective body of the ground support and the ground at an angle of less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the respective ground support.

30. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 29, wherein each row comprises multiple ground supports.

31. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 30, wherein the support structure comprises multiple cross-braces between respective ground supports of one row of the plurality of rows and respective ground supports of another row of the plurality of rows.

32. The support structure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 31 , wherein each row extends substantially parallel to the span of the plurality of cables.

33. The support structure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the, or each, cable is capable of supporting a uniformly distributed load of between approximately 500-5000 N / m.

34. A support structure for an array of bioreactor enclosures comprising multiple ones of the support structure as claimed in any preceding claim.

35. A bioreactor comprising: the support structure of any preceding claim; and one or more bioreactor enclosures suspended from one or more cables of the support structure.

36. The bioreactor as claimed in claim 35, wherein, in use, the, or each, bioreactor enclosure contains a culture medium for propagating an organism.

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