Arc-shaped vortex partitions in microalgae photobioreactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photobioreactors face challenges in ensuring uniform distribution of carbon dioxide and light to microalgae, leading to reduced growth rates and low biomass production due to shadow effects and inefficient light transmission, especially at high cell concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A photobioreactor design featuring a cultivation panel with arc-shaped vortex-forming partitions and a gas supply pipe with expandable outlets to create a vortex, ensuring uniform gas and light distribution and preventing microalgae from entering the gas supply pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high cell concentration cultivation is performed to increase biomass production, then productivity is improved, but light transmission becomes insufficient due to shadow effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved vortex-forming partitions instead of straight baffles to create rotational flow patterns. The arc-shaped partitions guide gas and liquid in a vortex motion, enhancing mixing efficiency and light distribution throughout the cultivation chamber, thereby resolving the light transmission limitation at high cell concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes gas flow dynamics by introducing gas at the bottom of the cultivation chamber, which rises through the liquid and creates vortex flows along the curved partitions. This pneumatic-driven circulation enhances light penetration and uniform distribution without requiring mechanical agitation, maintaining high productivity while improving light transmission
2Productivity
If gas is supplied to enhance microalgae circulation and light absorption, then cultivation efficiency is improved, but microalgae may enter the gas supply pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas supply system into multiple separate gas supply pipes distributed throughout the cultivation chamber rather than using a single central pipe. This segmentation reduces the risk of microalgae entering and clogging the gas supply system, while maintaining effective gas distribution for enhancing circulation and light absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions gas supply outlets at the bottom of the cultivation chamber and directs gas flow upward through the liquid column, utilizing vertical dimensionality to prevent microalgae (which remain in the liquid phase) from entering the gas supply system. The vortex-forming partitions further guide this vertical flow pattern
3Ease of manufacture
If outdoor cultivation facilities are used to reduce initial investment cost, then ease of manufacture is improved, but light transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gas-induced vortex flows and pneumatic agitation to enhance natural convection and light distribution within the cultivation chamber. This approach eliminates the need for expensive mechanical agitators or complex lighting systems, maintaining cost-effectiveness while significantly improving light transmission efficiency through fluid dynamic mixing
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
The design enhances microalgae circulation and light absorption uniformity, increasing gas retention time and preventing microalgae from entering the gas supply pipe, thus improving cultivation efficiency and biomass production.
Implementation Method 1
an arc shape and thus form a vortex in a gas supply pipe to discharge inflow gas, thereby circulating microalgae
Implementation Method 2
outlets having surfaces expanding at a predetermined pressure or more to supply the gas in a bubble curtain mode
Implementation Method 3
the proportion of light is largest due to a property of photosynthetic microalgae
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation having a bubble circulation structure, which allows gas flowing into a cultivation space to generate a vortex and thus circulate microalgae, thereby improving cultivation efficiency of the microalgae.A photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cultivation panel major body having the cultivation space into which the microalgae are injected to be cultivated; a gas supply pipe provided at a lower portion of the cultivation panel major body to pass through the cultivation space in a transverse direction and thus discharge inflow gas; and at least one vortex forming partition extending in a transverse direction from an internal wall of the cultivation panel major body and formed to have an arc shape and thus cause a vortex to an ascending current of gas supplied through the gas supply pipe.