Algae Culturing Flow Generator Reduces Power Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing algae culturing systems require high power consumption to prevent sedimentation and accumulation of microalgae, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The algae culturing apparatus employs a flow generator that moves the culture solution from the center of the tank towards the inner wall, creating a flow that reduces the reaction force due to viscosity, thereby decreasing the power required for operation and preventing sedimentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stirring devices are used to prevent sedimentation of microalgae, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical stirring devices with a simple rotating member that utilizes fluid dynamics and viscosity effects. The rotating member creates a vortex flow that naturally prevents sedimentation without requiring powerful motors or complex mechanisms, thereby substituting a mechanical stirring system with a more energy-efficient flow generation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by controlling the rotation speed of the rotating member to optimize the balance between preventing sedimentation and minimizing power consumption. By adjusting rotational speed and utilizing the viscosity characteristics of the culture medium, the system achieves effective microalgae suspension with reduced energy input compared to traditional high-power stirring devices.
2Reliability
If traditional stirring devices are deployed, then sedimentation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex components of traditional stirring devices, retaining only the essential rotating member functionality. By removing unnecessary mechanical elements, control systems, and support structures, the invention achieves sedimentation prevention with a significantly simplified device configuration that is easier to manufacture, maintain, and operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating member design allows the system to self-regulate the flow patterns necessary for preventing sedimentation. The rotation creates natural vortex flows that automatically circulate the culture medium and suspend microalgae without requiring complex control mechanisms, timing devices, or multiple operational components, thereby achieving reliable sedimentation prevention through self-organizing fluid dynamics.
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 allows for the cultivation of a predetermined amount of algae with less power consumption compared to traditional systems, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs while preventing decay due to sedimentation.
Implementation Method 1
creating a flow that reduces the reaction force due to viscosity
Implementation Method 2
photosynthesizing algae which perform photosynthesis by absorbing light and taking carbon dioxide hereinto
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an algae culturing apparatus, in which photosynthetic algae capable of photosynthesis by absorbing light and incorporating carbon dioxide are cultured; and an algae culturing system with the algae culturing apparatus. The algae culturing apparatus (11) includes: a culture tank (31) configured to accommodate algae (14) and a culture solution (13) for culturing the algae (14); and a flow generator (33) installed on the culture tank (31), and configured to generate a flow of the culture solution (13) from a center of the culture tank (31) toward an inside wall part (31b) of the culture tank (31) on a liquid surface of the culture solution (13) and in a region of the culture solution close to the liquid surface by moving the culture solution (13) on the liquid surface and in the region close to the liquid surface in the culture tank (31) from the center of the culture tank (31) toward the inside wall part (31b) of the culture tank (31).