Algae Cultivation Medium with Amine Additive for Carbon Shuttling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The kinetics of CO2 uptake in algae cultivation systems are slow due to limited carbon availability, which restricts algae productivity and leads to significant CO2 loss to the gas phase in sparged systems.

Innovation Solution

An algae cultivation medium comprising a growth medium combined with an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst, which increases the concentration of bioavailable carbon dioxide by stabilizing bicarbonate and catalyzing CO2 hydration and dehydration reactions, thereby enhancing CO2 solubility and transfer rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional algae cultivation medium is used, then algae growth can occur, but CO2 uptake kinetics are slow due to limited carbon availability in solution

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 uptake rateVSAvoiddissolved CO2 concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an amine-based intermediary substance that mediates between gaseous CO2 and dissolved CO2. The amine forms carbamate intermediates that facilitate the transfer and availability of carbon to algae, solving the contradiction between slow uptake kinetics and limited dissolved CO2 concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cultivation medium by adding amine compounds that alter the CO2 dissolution equilibrium. This increases the concentration of bioavailable carbon species in solution, directly improving the quantity of dissolved CO2 and thereby enhancing uptake kinetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If CO2 sparging is used to increase carbon availability, then dissolved CO2 concentration improves, but significant CO2 is lost to the gas phase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolved CO2 concentrationVSAvoidCO2 loss to gas phase

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The amine acts as a chemical intermediary that captures CO2 from the gas phase and releases it in a bioavailable form near the algae. This intermediary mechanism reduces direct sparging requirements and minimizes CO2 loss to the gas phase while maintaining high dissolved CO2 concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical sparging system with a chemical mechanism involving amine-carbamate equilibria. This substitution reduces reliance on gas-phase mass transfer and minimizes CO2 loss while maintaining effective carbon delivery to algae.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If amine additives are used to increase CO2 solubility, then CO2 availability improves, but amine toxicity to algae may occur at high concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 utilization efficiencyVSAvoidamine toxicity to algae

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of amine additives to remain below toxic thresholds while achieving sufficient CO2 enhancement. By carefully controlling amine concentration and selecting specific amine types, the system achieves high CO2 utilization efficiency without compromising algae health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach ensures that CO2 availability is not rate-limiting, maximizing algae productivity while minimizing CO2 loss to the gas phase, and is non-toxic to algae at low concentrations, eliminating the need for thermal amine regeneration or solvent separation.

Implementation Method 1

a water soluble biomimetic catalyst... catalyzing CO2 hydration and dehydration reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

increase the concentration of bioavailable carbon dioxide by stabilizing bicarbonate and catalyzing CO2 hydration and dehydration reactions, thereby enhancing CO2 solubility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220403321A1Algae cultivation medium and method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium

Publication Date: 2022.12.22 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION

AI summary

An algae cultivation medium includes a growth medium and at least one of an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst. A related method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium includes adding at least one of the amine additive and the water-soluble biomimetic catalyst to the algae cultivation medium.