Inclined Microalgae Culturing Device for High-Purity Gas Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing culturing methods for microalgae require complex operations to purify the gas produced by microalgae, as the gas and culturing gas mix in the solution, making it difficult to obtain high-purity gas.
Innovation Solution
A culturing method and device where the accommodation portion is inclined, guiding culturing gas from the bottom to the liquid surface, and a gas gathering portion is placed at the upper side wall to collect the gas produced by microalgae, preventing mixing with the culturing gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the accommodation portion is vertical and culturing gas is supplied from the bottom, then the culturing gas can effectively contact the microalgae for photosynthesis, but the gas produced by microalgae mixes with the culturing gas making it difficult to obtain high-purity gas
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation portion is designed with an inclined configuration rather than a vertical one. This asymmetric design creates distinct gas movement paths: bubbles rise along the inclined side wall to the gas gathering portion, while culturing gas is supplied from the opposite side, preventing mixing and enabling high-purity gas collection without complex separation equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional vertical single-dimensional gas supply approach to an inclined multi-dimensional configuration. By tilting the accommodation portion, it creates spatial separation in multiple dimensions between the gas gathering path (along the inclined wall) and the culturing gas supply path (from the bottom opposite side), achieving both effective contact and purity
2Reliability
If a gas gathering portion is added to collect high-purity gas, then the gas collection efficiency improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gas gathering portion is integrated into the side wall structure of the accommodation portion itself, merging the gas collection function with the existing container structure. This eliminates the need for separate external gas collection devices while maintaining high collection efficiency through the inclined geometry that naturally directs bubbles to the gathering portion
3Ease of operation
If the accommodation portion is inclined, then the gas produced by microalgae can be easily gathered at the upper side wall, but the culturing gas supply path becomes different from conventional designs
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined accommodation portion creates dynamic gas flow patterns where bubbles naturally rise along the inclined surface to the upper side wall gathering portion. This dynamic behavior exploits buoyancy forces enhanced by the inclination angle, making gas gathering automatic and easy without complex mechanical systems, while the culturing gas supply from the bottom opposite side adapts to this new configuration
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 the collection of high-purity gas produced by microalgae through a simple procedure without the need for separation processes, as the gas generated by microalgae rises and is gathered by the gas gathering portion while the culturing gas follows a different path.
Implementation Method 1
When the microalgae generate gas with the accommodation portion being inclined, the gas (bubble) goes up in the culturing solution toward the side wall
Implementation Method 2
a guide portion that is provided to the accommodation portion and guides the culturing gas from the bottom of the accommodation portion toward the liquid surface of the culturing solution
Data Source
AI summary
A culturing device is provided with an accommodation portion that accommodates culturing solution and microalgae. The accommodation portion is inclined with respect to the vertical direction and is supported by a support body. In this state, microalgae are cultured. A gas gathering portion is provided at an upper part of a side wall of the inclined accommodation portion, the outer surface of the side wall facing obliquely upward. The gas produced by the microalgae is gathered by the gas gathering portion.