Inflatable Photobioreactor Sleeve for Microalgae Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photobioreactors for microalgae and cyanobacteria cultivation face challenges in light distribution, mixing, CO2 supply, and temperature control, leading to low biomass concentration and high harvesting costs, with existing solutions being either ineffective or costly.
Innovation Solution
A photobioreactor design featuring parallel posts and inclined supporting angles with wire netting or glass panes, a flexible polymer sleeve for efficient light transmission and gas flow, and adjustable inclination to optimize microalgae suspension depth, along with headers for CO2 supply and temperature control, enhancing heat and mass transfer through vibration and pressure variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the depth of the pond or raceway channel is increased to reduce surface area, then the construction cost is reduced, but the light distribution becomes insufficient and microalgae concentration remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal surface area expansion to vertical depth utilization by inclining the photobioreactor at angles between 15-45 degrees. This dimensional change allows light to penetrate through the microalgae suspension more effectively along the inclined path, improving light distribution while reducing the required surface footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by adjusting the inclination angle of the photobioreactor and controlling the depth of microalgae suspension to optimize the light path length. This parameter optimization enables better light penetration and photosynthesis efficiency without requiring excessive surface area.
2Productivity
If mixing is intensified to prevent cell sinking and remove oxygen, then photosynthesis efficiency improves, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic mixing mechanisms that adjust mixing intensity based on operational needs. The system uses inclined geometry combined with controlled fluid flow to achieve natural convection and reduced mixing requirements compared to traditional horizontal systems, lowering energy consumption while maintaining photosynthesis efficiency.
3Device complexity
If CO2 is supplied from ambient air, then the system is simple and low cost, but the CO2 amount is insufficient for optimal photosynthesis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic systems for CO2 delivery, employing gas flow through the inclined photobioreactor to provide adequate CO2 supply. The inclined geometry enhances gas-liquid contact efficiency, allowing effective CO2 transfer from gaseous to liquid phase without requiring complex high-pressure injection systems.
4Ease of manufacture
If the photobioreactor is constructed as open ponds or channels, then construction and maintenance is simple, but light distribution and biomass concentration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simplicity of open channel construction but introduces inclination as a new dimensional parameter. This inclined open-channel design preserves construction ease while dramatically improving light distribution and biomass concentration through optimized light path length and fluid dynamics.
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 design improves light distribution, mixing, and CO2 supply, maintaining optimal temperatures, resulting in higher microalgae concentration and reduced costs by simplifying construction and operation while preventing structural inflation and facilitating easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible polymer sleeve for efficient light transmission
Implementation Method 2
Mass cultivation of microalgae or cyanobacteria has a great potential for modern agriculture, biochemistry and pharmaceutics
Implementation Method 3
enhancing heat and mass transfer through vibration and pressure variation
Implementation Method 4
enhancing heat and mass transfer through vibration and pressure variation
Implementation Method 5
parallel posts and inclined supporting angles with wire netting or glass panes
Implementation Method 6
enhancing heat and mass transfer through vibration and pressure variation
Implementation Method 7
this CO2 is supplied as a rule from the ambient air or from gaseous medium enriched with CO2 by its dissolution in the nutritious solution
Data Source
AI summary
A photobioreactor with a microalgae's cultivation chamber in the form of a duct that is constructed from an inflatable sleeve from transparent polymer film; this inflatable sleeve excluding its terminal sections is sandwiched between a bank of frames with wire nettings from below and glass panes from above the inflatable sleeve, and it has a small inclination regarding the horizontal plane. The terminal sections of the inflatable sleeve are in fluid communication with two headers, which are used for supplying and removal of gaseous medium and suspension of microalgae into and out of the duct.