Algae Photoreactor with Omnidirectional Lighting and Reflective Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photoreaction methods for algae cultivation face inefficiencies due to fixed sunlight angles, reduced efficiency on cloudy days, difficulty in cleaning light-transmitting tanks, and inefficient space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A continuous algae cultivation photoreaction device with an omnidirectional lighting system, gas detection and refinement, and a stacked configuration, which ensures widespread light irradiation, gas management, and continuous recycling of algae and liquid, while allowing for adjustable light angles and efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If sunlight irradiation is used for algae photoreaction, then free energy from solar energy is utilized, but photoreaction efficiency decreases on cloudy days and when sunlight level is low
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system serves dual purposes: during daytime it complements natural sunlight to ensure consistent illumination, and during nighttime or cloudy conditions it provides the primary light source for photoreaction, making the system adaptable to various environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions between natural sunlight and artificial lighting based on environmental conditions, changing the light source parameter to maintain optimal photoreaction efficiency regardless of weather or time of day
2Device complexity
If fixed angle light-transmitting tank is used, then结构简单 (structure is simple), but photoreaction efficiency decreases due to varying sunlight angles
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmitting tank is designed to rotate, transforming from a static fixed-angle structure to a dynamic adjustable structure that can track sunlight movement throughout the day, maximizing light exposure to algae while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components
3Duration of action of stationary object
If algae continue to grow in light-transmitting tank, then continuous cultivation is achieved, but photosynthesis effect deteriorates due to expanding algae area
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous photoreaction by ensuring constant light exposure through rotational movement and supplemental lighting, allowing algae to continuously perform photosynthesis without interruption even as biomass accumulates
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational mechanism dynamically adjusts the tank orientation to compensate for changing light conditions and algae distribution, ensuring uniform light exposure across the algae culture throughout the cultivation period
4Reliability
If all algae must be removed for cleaning, then light-transmitting tank can be maintained, but time is consumed and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmitting tank is designed as a separable module that can be easily detached from the support structure, allowing quick removal and cleaning without disassembling the entire system, significantly reducing maintenance time and effort
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
Enhances photoreaction efficiency by ensuring uniform light exposure, effective gas management, and continuous operation, while optimizing space usage through a stacked design.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the algae with continuance light emitted by an omnidirectional lighting lamp
Implementation Method 2
the emitted light also irradiates light reflecting layers fitted to inner sides of the outer cover casing, whereupon light reflecting and scattering effects occur
Implementation Method 3
the emitted light also irradiates light reflecting layers fitted to inner sides of the outer cover casing, whereupon light reflecting and scattering effects occur
Implementation Method 4
allowing sunlight to irradiate the algae inside the light-transmitting tank, to steadily proceed with producing a photosynthesis effect
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a continuous algae cultivation photoreaction device, which includes: a base, a light-transmitting tank, an outer cover casing, and an upper cover. The device mainly involves placing algae and liquid inside the light-transmitting tank, and using light emitted by an omnidirectional lighting lamp embedded in the base to irradiate the algae. Moreover, the light also irradiates light reflecting layers fitted to the inner sides of the outer cover casing, whereby reflecting and scattering effects of the light occur, which can then further irradiate a wider area of the algae and achieving the object of substantially improving photoreaction efficiency thereof.