Microalgae Growth Pond Harvesting for Saline-Alkali Soil Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for improving saline-alkali soil using microalgae are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and yield insufficient results, while traditional physicochemical and biotechnological approaches are costly and environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a microalgae growth pond, screen mesh, and impermeable layer, with a method involving inoculation, culture, and harvesting of microalgae to enhance soil properties, utilizing extracellular secretions and capturing atmospheric CO2, integrated with in-situ soil amelioration and microalgal cultivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional microalgal biomass production methods are used in reactors, then sufficient cyanobacterial biomass can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and laborious with obvious improvement effects on saline land
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges microalgal cultivation and soil amelioration into a single integrated system. The microalgae are cultivated directly in the growth pond where they simultaneously produce biomass and secrete extracellular substances that improve saline-alkali soil properties, eliminating the need for separate cultivation and application processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-cultivating microalgae in the growth pond before actual soil remediation is needed. The microalgae are allowed to grow and secrete extracellular substances that infiltrate the soil layer, preparing the soil in advance for better crop growth
2Quantity of substance
If traditional harvesting methods such as centrifugation or pressure filtration are used, then microalgae can be separated, but the process is energy-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical harvesting systems (centrifugation, pressure filtration) with a simple screen mesh filtration system. The screen mesh passively separates microalgae from culture medium through gravity and flow, eliminating the need for high-energy mechanical equipment while maintaining effective harvesting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive screen mesh that can be easily replaced or cleaned, substituting for expensive, complex mechanical harvesting equipment. The screen mesh serves as a low-cost, disposable or easily maintainable component that achieves effective separation without requiring energy-intensive operations
3Quantity of substance
If microalgae are cultivated in separate reactors and then applied to farmland, then biomass production is achieved, but the improvement effect on saline land is not obvious and the process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines microalgal cultivation and soil amelioration functions into a single integrated system. The growth pond serves dual purposes: producing microalgal biomass and simultaneously ameliorating saline-alkali soil through extracellular secretions that infiltrate the soil layer, eliminating the need for separate reactors and application processes
Solution Approach 2:
The growth pond system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a cultivation vessel for microalgae, a bioreactor for producing extracellular secretions, and a soil treatment system for improving saline-alkali land. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system while achieving multiple objectives
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 method is efficient, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and reduces the period for soil amelioration, while producing high-value biological products, and captures CO2, reshaping microbial communities and improving soil physicochemical properties.
Implementation Method 1
microalgae can efficiently capture atmospheric CO2 through their photosynthesis
Implementation Method 2
a large amount of extracellular secretions secreted by the microalgae into the surrounding area during the growth process, which infiltrate into a soil layer below the microalgae growth pond
Implementation Method 3
allowing the screen mesh to stand sufficiently to drain off the water so that the microalgae are trapped on the screen mesh
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for in-situ amelioration of saline-alkali soil using microalgae. Sewage and microalgal seeds are pumped into an microalgae growth pond for growing microalgae, and online equipment is used for monitoring the level of nutrients in the pond. When the microalgae reach the stationary phase of their growth, the screen mesh is lifted to separate microalgae from liquid, so that they are conveniently harvested by scraping. The harvested microalgae are returned to the soil as a soil ameliorant.