Algae Cultivation Using Bore Waves for Direct-Air Nutrient Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing algae cultivation systems face high operational costs and location limitations due to the need for concentrated CO2 and N2 supplementation, with diffusion-limited carbon dioxide absorption becoming insufficient for large-scale productivity.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods for supplying nutrients directly from the atmosphere using bore waves and air-liquid mixing devices to enhance carbon dioxide and nitrogen absorption in algae cultivation fluids, maintaining sufficient concentrations for high biomass productivity without external supplementation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pure CO2 is bubbled into the raceways to support high rates of photosynthesis, then biomass productivity is improved, but operational cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass productivityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of CO2 from pure (100%) to atmospheric levels (0.04%), and changes the delivery method from continuous bubbling to periodic bore waves. This parameter transformation maintains sufficient CO2 supply for high productivity while dramatically reducing operational costs by eliminating the need to purchase concentrated CO2.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes atmospheric CO2, which is freely available, rather than requiring external CO2 supplementation. The bore wave mechanism creates natural air-liquid mixing that enables the cultivation fluid to self-absorb atmospheric CO2 without requiring expensive external CO2 sources, making the system self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If moderately concentrated CO2 source such as combustion flue gas is used, then operational cost is reduced, but location flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational costVSAvoidlocation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere rather than requiring proximity to industrial CO2 sources like flue gas. By taking CO2 from the ambient air using bore wave-induced air-liquid mixing, the system removes the location constraint and can be deployed anywhere with adequate atmospheric CO2 access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If high rate of air bubbling is used in column or flat panel closed photobioreactors to supply N2 absorption, then nitrogen supply is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen supply rateVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex continuous air bubbling systems in column or flat panel photobioreactors, the patent inverts the approach by using periodic bore waves in open raceway ponds. This reversal of the conventional method achieves effective nitrogen supply through natural mixing during wave events, reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Device complexity

If conventional raceway cultivation without intense air mixing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but nitrogen absorption rate becomes rate limiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidnitrogen absorption rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic bore waves to the raceway cultivation system, creating intermittent intense mixing events. This periodic action temporarily enhances air-liquid contact and nitrogen absorption rates without requiring continuous complex mixing equipment, thus maintaining simplicity while overcoming the nitrogen limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Achieves increased biomass productivity, reduced energy use, and greater flexibility in farm location by directly capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and nitrogen, enhancing nutrient absorption rates and resilience to process perturbations.

Implementation Method 1

applying bore waves through the algae cultivation fluid at a bore wave frequency sufficient to disrupt an air-liquid interface of the algae cultivation fluid to induce direct absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide or atmospheric nitrogen from air into the algae cultivation fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave disruption:

Implementation Method 2

induce direct absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide or atmospheric nitrogen from air into the algae cultivation fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Algae utilize photosynthesis to fix CO2 for growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentUS12426556B2Systems and methods for algae cultivation using direct air capture

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 GLOBAL ALGAE TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for supplying an algae cultivation fluid with nutrients (e.g., carbon dioxide and nitrogen) directly from the atmosphere. Supplying nutrients directly from the atmosphere reduces operational costs and environmental impacts, as well as provides greater flexibility in locating algae farms.