Continuous Loop Transport Member for Selective Algae Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for extracting blue-green algae like Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) from bodies of water are non-selective, often incorporating undesirable biomass such as other algae species or zooplankton, leading to contamination and inefficiencies in harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A transport member comprising a continuous loop configured to pass through an orbit, with conveyor drums and a scraping member to selectively adhere and remove AFA from the water, minimizing the extraction of unwanted materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional non-selective extraction methods (screens, drapers) are used to harvest blue-green algae, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but contamination with undesirable biomass (other algae species, zooplankton, fish) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport member is designed with specific local properties: a smooth continuous surface that is selectively adhesive to blue-green algae but non-adhesive to other biomass. This local quality differentiation allows the extraction surface to discriminate between desired and undesired materials, enabling selective harvesting without contamination while maintaining efficient extraction rates
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface parameter of the transport member to be selectively adhesive to blue-green algae. By controlling surface properties (smoothness, adhesion characteristics), the system achieves selectivity based on the physical and chemical parameters of different biomass types, allowing efficient harvesting of target algae while rejecting contaminants
2Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods are used, then material can be collected from the water, but post-harvest processing time increases due to contamination removal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The selective adhesion process performs preliminary separation at the extraction stage itself. By designing the transport member surface to selectively adhere only to blue-green algae, the system performs the separation function during harvesting rather than requiring separate post-harvest processing steps, thereby collecting pure material while minimizing additional processing time
3Device complexity
If screens or drapers are used for extraction, then the extraction process is simple, but the extracted material contains undesirable contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using complex multi-component filtration systems, the invention achieves selectivity through a simple continuous loop transport member with a specifically engineered local surface quality. The smooth continuous surface provides selective adhesion properties that enable precise discrimination between blue-green algae and other biomass, maintaining process simplicity while achieving high extraction selectivity
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 solution enables selective extraction of AFA, reducing contamination and improving efficiency by adhering specifically to the desired material while minimizing the inclusion of other biomass, allowing for enhanced processing and reduced post-harvest processing time.
Implementation Method 1
material sufficiently adheres to at least a portion of the transport member
Implementation Method 2
A scraping member urges against the transport member for removing at least some of the material adhered to the continuous loop
Implementation Method 3
The transport member can frictionally engage at least a portion of each respective outer surface of the first conveyor drum and the second conveyor drum
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for extracting a material from a body of liquid and methods therefore are disclosed. A transport member comprises at least one continuous loop configured to pass through a continuous orbit. The material sufficiently adheres to at least a portion of the at least one continuous loop. A scraping member urges against at least a portion of the continuous loop for removing at least some of any of the material adhered to the continuous loop. Such an apparatus can be a harvester that includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A first conveyor drum can be supported by the frame adjacent the first end and can have an outer surface for engaging the transport member. A second conveyor drum can be supported adjacent the second end and can have an outer surface for engaging the transport member. The at least one continuous loop can extend between the first conveyor drum and the second conveyor drum and frictionally engage at least a portion of each respective outer surface of the first conveyor drum and the second conveyor drum.