Floating Algal Photobioreactor Using Flexible Translucent Tubes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photobioreactors are costly, require lengthy fabrication times, and have significant ecological footprints due to materials like polycarbonate, and are sensitive to climatic conditions, making them challenging to operate in temperate regions and requiring complex supporting structures for assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A photobioreactor design featuring a light exposure device that floats on a pool using a combination of Archimedes' and Torricelli's principles, with flexible, translucent tubes and a buoyant support structure, eliminating the need for a fixed supporting structure and simplifying assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid transparent tubes made of polycarbonate or polymer materials are used in photobioreactors, then structural strength and stability are improved, but manufacturing cost and fabrication time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidfabrication time and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid polycarbonate tubes with flexible transparent tubes made of thin film material. These flexible tubes maintain sufficient structural strength through their thin-walled design while being substantially more economical to manufacture and install compared to rigid polymer alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If above ground photobioreactors are constructed to increase production area, then algal production capacity is improved, but sensitivity to climatic conditions and windage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgal production capacityVSAvoidsensitivity to climatic conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from above-ground vertical structures to submerged horizontal configurations. By placing flexible transparent tubes within the water column of a pool, the system achieves large production area while being protected from windage and extreme climatic conditions that affect above-ground structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If a fixed supporting structure is used to mount tubes over a pool, then tube positioning and spacing are improved, but assembly complexity and fixing constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube spacing regularityVSAvoidsupporting structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible transparent tubes that are self-supporting when filled with liquid. The tubes maintain their position and spacing through their own structural properties and liquid filling, eliminating the need for complex external supporting structures while achieving regular spacing through the perforated plate design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If thin flexible tubes are used to reduce material cost and weight, then manufacturing cost is improved, but mechanical strength and structural stability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial costVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid filling the flexible transparent tubes to provide structural support. The liquid pressure maintains the tubes in a cylindrical shape and provides the mechanical strength needed to resist external forces, allowing the use of thin-walled flexible material without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 floating design reduces assembly complexity, lowers costs, and enhances operational stability across varying climates, allowing for more efficient and scalable algal production without the need for extensive ground fixation, thus enabling algal production in temperate regions.

Implementation Method 1

adapted to be used by floating it in a pool subject to the combination of and the equilibrium between Archimedes' principle and Torricelli's principle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArchimedes' principle (buoyancy): Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

The static pressure is therefore uniform over all the height of the tubes without any mechanical stress, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the tubes whilst maintaining good mechanical strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorricelli's principle (pressure difference): Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12071603B2Device for exposing an algal solution to light, associated photobioreactor and implementation method

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 SUEZ INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

Disclosed is a device for exposing an algal solution to light, for a photobioreactor, this exposure device including a flat support including at least one opening capable of holding at least one shaft, the shaft being made of a liquid-tight, translucent or even transparent flexible material, and including an open end capable of holding a sleeve, the sleeve being translucent, or even transparent, and arranged to seal and attach the shaft to the support. The exposure device has positive floatability in water. Also disclosed is a photobioreactor equipped with such a device and a start-up method for such a photobioreactor.