Algae Cultivation Light Transmitting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current algae cultivation systems face challenges such as high construction and operating costs, contamination issues, and inefficient light penetration, which hinder effective carbon dioxide capture and algae growth.
Innovation Solution
The development of an algae cultivation system that includes a cultivation tank with light transmitting elements submerged in a liquid medium to increase the effective surface area exposed to light and gas injectors to enhance carbon dioxide fixation, combined with automated control systems to modulate light and carbon dioxide levels based on measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If closed culture systems are used to control environment and reduce evaporation, then water loss is reduced and contamination is minimized, but construction and operating costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cultivation environment into separate zones: an enclosed cultivation chamber for contamination control and an external support structure for cost-effective construction. This segmentation allows the critical containment function to be isolated to only where needed rather than requiring a fully complex closed system throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent barrier (such as clear plastic sheeting or glass) serves as an intermediary element that provides contamination protection while allowing light transmission. This simple intermediary structure achieves the protective function without requiring complex mechanical or structural systems.
2Loss of substance
If closed culture systems are used to control environment, then evaporative water loss is reduced, but construction costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The water conservation function is segmented and applied only to the cultivation chamber interior where evaporation occurs, rather than requiring a fully enclosed complex structure. A simple transparent cover or partial enclosure suffices to reduce evaporation without the cost of a complete complex closed system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs inexpensive transparent materials (such as plastic sheeting or simple glass panels) to create the evaporative barrier, rather than investing in expensive, complex industrial-grade enclosed structures. These simple materials provide sufficient protection at low cost.
3Reliability
If traditional closed culture systems are used, then contamination is reduced, but light penetration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent barrier material serves as an intermediary that simultaneously provides contamination protection and allows maximum light transmission. The transparency of this intermediary element ensures that light penetration is not compromised while maintaining the enclosed protective environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system addresses light penetration by adding vertical dimensionality with multi-level shelving and stacked cultivation trays, allowing light to reach algae cultures at multiple depths and distances from the light source, rather than relying solely on horizontal expansion.
4Reliability
If algae growth on walls occurs in closed systems, then containment is maintained, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cultivation medium is extracted from direct contact with the containment walls by using suspended trays, racks, or floating platforms. This separation allows the walls to remain clean and easily maintainable while the algae grow in accessible containers that can be independently cleaned or replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The cultivation system is segmented into removable modular units (trays, containers, or cartridges) that can be easily detached and cleaned separately from the main containment structure. This segmentation prevents algae buildup on permanent walls while maintaining containment integrity.
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 system achieves high productivity while maintaining low costs, reducing contamination risks, and optimizing algae growth by increasing light penetration and controlled carbon dioxide levels, thereby effectively capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium
Data Source
AI summary
An algae cultivation system and method. In an embodiment, an algae cultivation system is included. The algae cultivation system can include a cultivation tank, a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light, and a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium. In an embodiment a method of culturing algae is included. The method can include measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in a cultivation system and modulating the amount of light being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of carbon dioxide. In an embodiment, a method of culturing algae can include measuring the amount of light being input into a cultivation system and modulating the amount of carbon dioxide being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of light. Other embodiments are also described herein.