Hydrogen-Algae Co-Production Reactor for Tail Liquid Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of effectively treating hydrogen production tail liquids generated by photosynthetic bacteria, which are difficult to manage, and the need for a system that can co-produce hydrogen and algal protein efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hydrogen-producing substrate premix unit, biological hydrogen-generating reactor, and hydrogen-producing tail liquid recovery unit, integrated with a chlorella culture and enrichment system, to continuously produce hydrogen while treating tail liquids and producing algal protein.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If photosynthetic bacteria are used for hydrogen production, then hydrogen production capacity is improved and waste treatment is achieved, but the hydrogen production tail liquid becomes difficult to treat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful tail liquid containing nitrogen and phosphorus into a beneficial resource by using it as culture medium for Chlorella cultivation. The algae consume these nutrients to grow and produce protein, transforming the waste treatment problem into an additional product generation opportunity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges two separate processes into one integrated system: photosynthetic bacteria hydrogen production and Chlorella culture. The tail liquid from the hydrogen production process is directly fed to the Chlorella culture unit, creating a coupled system where waste from one process becomes substrate for another.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If Chlorella is used to treat polluted water bodies, then nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter content is reduced, but the system requires additional infrastructure for algae cultivation and harvesting
Solution Approach 1:
The Chlorella culture unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it treats the hydrogen production tail liquid by removing nutrients, produces algal protein as an additional product, and generates biomass that can be further processed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate treatment and production systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The Chlorella algae naturally consume the nitrogen and phosphorus in the tail liquid as their culture medium, performing self-treatment of the waste liquid. The system leverages the inherent metabolic capabilities of the algae to remove pollutants without requiring additional chemical treatment processes.
3Loss of energy
If a co-production system is implemented, then energy saving and emission reduction are achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydrogen production and algal protein production into a single integrated system where the tail liquid from hydrogen production is directly utilized by the Chlorella culture. This merging eliminates the need for separate waste treatment processes and creates a circular flow of materials, improving energy efficiency while managing complexity through functional integration.
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
Enables continuous hydrogen production with simultaneous treatment of tail liquids and production of algal protein, achieving energy savings and emission reduction.
Implementation Method 1
photosynthetic bacteria hydrogen production not only has a high capacity for hydrogen production
Implementation Method 2
biological hydrogen production is the use of microorganisms to release hydrogen from their own metabolism
Implementation Method 3
utilizing chlorophyll in algal cells for photoautotrophy has high photosynthetic efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a hydrogen and algal protein co-production device, comprising: a hydrogen-producing substrate premix unit including a hydrogen-producing substrate premix box; a biological hydrogen-generating reactor including a hydrogen-producing substrate conveying assembly, a rotary power assembly, a hollow shaft, a hydrogen-generating reaction tube, a reaction tube top cover, an agitation release assembly, and an inner wall lighting assembly, wherein a top of the hollow shaft is connected to the hydrogen-producing substrate premix box, a top peripheral side of the hollow shaft is connected to the rotary power assembly, a bottom of the hollow shaft is connected to the agitation release assembly; and a hydrogen-producing tail liquid recovery unit being connected to the hydrogen-generating reaction tube and a hydrogen-producing tail liquid dilution unit, the hydrogen-producing tail liquid dilution unit being connected to a chlorella culture unit, and the chlorella culture unit being connected to a chlorella enrichment unit.