Floating Light Diffuser for Photobioreactor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current photo-bioreactors for microalgae production face challenges such as high costs, complexity in design, limited scalability, inefficient light concentration, and biofilm clogging, which hinder large-scale production and require significant heat, especially in temperate regions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a cylindrical sleeve and a sealed bell with a gas-filled gap, allowing the bell to float and maintain the sleeve submerged, optimizing light distribution, temperature, and circulation while reducing evaporation and biofilm formation, and featuring a reflective surface to enhance light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If closed-circuit basins with flexible sleeves are used to capture and transmit light, then light transmission is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible transparent sleeves made of thin film material that can be filled with liquid to maintain cylindrical shape. These flexible shells transmit light effectively while being simpler in structure compared to rigid complex support systems, directly resolving the contradiction between light transmission and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs liquid-filled flexible sleeves where the liquid provides both structural support and light transmission medium. This hydraulic approach simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining effective light transmission to the algal culture
2Illumination intensity
If closed-system technology with sleeves is used, then light distribution is improved, but scalability to large ponds is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pond into multiple zones with distributed flexible sleeves that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the same basic technology to be scaled from small to large ponds by simply increasing the number of modular units, resolving the scalability limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sleeve design serves multiple functions: light transmission, structural support, and adaptability to different pond sizes. This multi-functionality enables the same technology to be universally applied across various scales from small experimental ponds to large commercial operations
3Illumination intensity
If moving lenses are used to focus light towards sleeves, then light concentration is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sleeves are filled with liquid that automatically adjusts to maintain optimal light transmission without requiring external focusing mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the liquid medium's natural optical properties, eliminating the need for complex moving lenses and dynamic positioning systems
4Illumination intensity
If sleeves are in contact with algal solution, then light transmission is improved, but biofilm fouling occurs requiring regular cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the light transmission function from the structure directly contacting the algal solution. The flexible sleeves transmit light but are positioned to minimize contact with the algal culture, separating the optical function from the interface that causes biofilm accumulation, thereby reducing fouling while maintaining light transmission
5Strength
If support structure obscures the free surface, then structural support is provided, but surface area exposed to light is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support structure is made of thin, transparent film material that provides necessary structural support while being optically transparent. This allows the support to remain strength-sufficient while not obstructing light transmission to the algal culture below, resolving the contradiction between structural support and light exposure area
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 solution enables efficient light capture and distribution, improving microalgae production, reducing operational costs, and allowing for scalable, autonomous, and versatile operation in various pond sizes and locations, including temperate regions, while minimizing heat requirements and biofilm issues.
Implementation Method 1
a sealed bell, transparent to the light captured, transported and diffused, and formed at least in part by two walls separated by a sealed gap (e) filled in whole or in part by gas, the bell comprising a dome-shaped part extended by a tubular part
Implementation Method 2
a cylindrical sleeve, made of material transparent to the transported and diffused light, the sleeve being intended to be filled with a liquid suitable for transmitting and diffusing light and for balancing the external pressure to maintain the sleeve in cylindrical form
Implementation Method 3
filled with a liquid suitable for transmitting and diffusing light and for balancing the external pressure to maintain the sleeve in cylindrical form
Implementation Method 4
featuring a reflective surface to enhance light transmission
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The invention provides a device (100) for transporting and diffusing light in a solution (1) contained in a reservoir (2), which is simple to implement, efficient, limits water evaporation from the basin, is self-contained, economical, and versatile. The device comprises a transparent cylindrical sleeve (110) intended to be filled with a liquid suitable for transmitting and diffusing light, and a sealed, transparent bell (120) formed, at least in part, by two walls (120a-120b) separated by a sealed gap (e) filled wholly or partly with gas. The bell comprises a domed portion (121) extended by a tubular portion (122). A first end (111) of the sleeve (110) is intended to be secured against the bell (120) so that, in the operating position, the bell floats freely in the solution and keeps at least the domed portion (121) above water, while ensuring the verticality of the sleeve (110).