Algae Growth Device with Vertical Intermediate Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for growing algae are inefficient in promoting high yield, growth rate, lipid content, and reducing cellulose and lignin content, often requiring complex setups and energy-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for growing algae that involves allowing algae growth liquid to move through a gaseous atmosphere, passing through intermediate stages that delay its movement to a reservoir, promoting gas exchange and exposure to sunlight, which enhances photosynthesis and lipid production while discouraging lignin and cellulose formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If algae growth liquid is allowed to move through a gaseous atmosphere with intermediate stages, then gas exchange and sunlight exposure are enhanced leading to high yield and high lipid content, but the device complexity increases due to multiple intermediate stages
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the algae growth liquid flow path into multiple intermediate stages (first intermediate stage, second intermediate stage, third intermediate stage) positioned at different heights. Each stage provides separate gas exchange and sunlight exposure zones, allowing progressive enhancement of lipid content while managing overall system complexity through modular segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate stages are arranged vertically at different heights above the reservoir, utilizing the vertical dimension to create multiple gas-liquid contact zones. This vertical stacking allows enhanced gas exchange and light exposure without requiring excessive horizontal space, resolving the complexity issue by transitioning from horizontal to vertical arrangement
2Productivity
If algae growth liquid moves through a gaseous atmosphere, then photosynthesis is enhanced leading to high lipid content, but the movement time and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes gravity as a counterbalancing force by positioning the reservoir at a lower level than the intermediate stages. Algae growth liquid flows downward from the higher intermediate stages back to the reservoir, allowing gravitational potential energy to offset the pumping energy required to move liquid upward to the first intermediate stage, thereby reducing net energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement of intermediate stages at different heights creates a gravitational potential gradient that facilitates natural flow. The system exploits this equipotential difference to enable partial passive flow, reducing the energy input needed compared to a horizontal or upward-only flow configuration
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 results in high-yield, high-lipid content algae with low cellulose and lignin, suitable for biofuel generation and carbon sequestration, and can be implemented in a compact, cost-effective manner, even in remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the algae growth liquid to move from the first position to a reservoir while passing through a gaseous atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
exposure to sunlight, which enhances photosynthesis and lipid production
Implementation Method 3
the algae growth liquid serially contacting a number of intermediate stages that delay movement of the algae growth liquid to the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and devices suitable for growing algae.