Modular Microalgae Cultivation Pouches With LED and CO2 Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current large-scale algae farming models face challenges such as bacterial and fungal infections, difficulty in controlling light intensity and location, and low astaxanthin yield, leading to economic losses and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A modular farming apparatus with a mechanical support framework, LED lighting, and an air and gas supply system, coupled with a monitoring unit, that controls light intensity, temperature, and CO2 levels to optimize green microalgae cultivation, minimizing infections and enhancing astaxanthin yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large volume algae cultivation is performed, then productivity increases, but bacterial and fungal infections occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cultivation system into multiple independent photobioreactor modules instead of using a single large volume tank. Each module can be independently controlled and monitored, allowing early detection and containment of infections before they spread to the entire cultivation volume, thus maintaining high productivity while reducing infection risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and monitoring devices that continuously detect environmental parameters and infection indicators in each module. When abnormalities are detected, the system provides feedback to control mechanisms (such as adjusting light intensity, temperature, or triggering alarm signals) to prevent infection spread, enabling proactive management of large-scale cultivation.
2Quantity of substance
If light intensity is increased to enhance astaxanthin production, then astaxanthin yield improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic light control systems that adjust light intensity based on the cultivation phase and real-time monitoring of astaxanthin accumulation. During vegetative growth, lower light intensity is used to minimize energy consumption, while during the astaxanthin accumulation phase, light intensity is increased only in specific modules where encystment is detected, optimizing the balance between astaxanthin production and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly increasing light intensity across all modules, the system applies high light intensity only to specific modules where astaxanthin accumulation is desired or where environmental stress conditions have been created. This localized approach enhances astaxanthin yield while minimizing overall energy consumption in the large-scale system.
3Reliability
If environmental conditions are controlled to prevent infections, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into independent control units for each photobioreactor module, each managing its own environmental parameters (light, temperature, gas supply). This modular control architecture reduces overall system complexity compared to a centralized system, as each unit can operate autonomously and failures in one module do not affect others, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic control mechanisms that adjust environmental parameters based on pre-set protocols and real-time sensor data without requiring constant manual intervention. For example, gas supply and light intensity are automatically adjusted according to cultivation stage and infection risk levels, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high reliability through consistent, protocol-driven environmental control.
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 apparatus achieves high astaxanthin yields above 5%, minimizes viral infections, and enables industrial-scale production by reducing errors and increasing efficiency through networking and information sharing.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), mechanically coupled and supported by the mechanical support framework
Implementation Method 2
green microalgae (H. pluvialis) can act as a phytoremediation agent that absorbs pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and convert to biomass with high value compounds such as astanxanthin
Implementation Method 3
an air and gas supply and distribution unit, mechanically coupled and supported by the mechanical support framework, operable to supply predetermined amounts of air and carbon dioxide (CO2) to each of the green microalgae pouches
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly, methods, and a network for farming and culturing green microalgae (Haematococcus pluvialis) are disclosed. The assembly includes a mechanical support framework; a plurality of cultivation pouches, mechanically coupled to the mechanical support framework, where green microalgae (H. pluvialis) are cultured and harvested; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), mechanically coupled and supported by the mechanical support framework and arranged in between two cultivation pouches, operable to provide a predetermined light intensities to the cultivation pouches; and an air and gas supply and distribution unit, mechanically coupled and supported by the mechanical support framework, operable to supply predetermined amounts of air and carbon dioxide (CO2) to the cultivation pouches.