Mineral Solid Nutrient Buffer for Phototrophic Bioreactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cultivating phototrophic organisms, such as algae and cyanobacteria, face challenges in maintaining a constant nutrient composition and are costly, particularly in sourcing CO2 and managing waste water, which affects biomass production and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a substrate flow through a mineral solid to enrich nutrients, with particles detached and carried along, allowing for regulated nutrient transfer and mixing, supplemented by CO2 from flue gas, and a closed substrate circuit for minimal waste water usage, along with temperature control and a bioreactor design that includes a reactor chamber with a translucent housing and a flow channel for optimal growth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional methods are used to cultivate phototrophic organisms, then biomass can be produced, but the nutrient composition cannot be maintained constantly and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A mineral solid is introduced as an intermediary medium between the substrate and phototrophic organisms. The mineral solid selectively adsorbs nutrients from the substrate, releasing them slowly to maintain constant nutrient composition in the reactor while reducing the need for expensive external nutrient supplementation
Solution Approach 2:
The mineral solid autonomously regulates nutrient release through its porous structure and surface properties, automatically maintaining optimal nutrient composition without external control systems. The system self-regulates by adsorbing excess nutrients and releasing them at controlled rates
2Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 from exhaust gases is used, then CO2 concentration is reduced, but additional costs and waste water management issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
CO2-rich exhaust gases from industrial processes, which would otherwise be wasted, are utilized as a carbon source for the phototrophic organisms. This converts a harmful emission into a valuable resource, simultaneously reducing CO2 concentration in the exhaust and providing carbon for biomass production
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding waste water containing nutrients, the system recovers and reuses it by passing it over the mineral solid which concentrates the nutrients, then releases them controllably. This closes the nutrient loop and minimizes water discharge
3Ease of operation
If substrate flow rate is increased to improve mixing, then mixing quality improves, but nutrient transfer control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mineral solid acts as a buffer between the substrate flow and the phototrophic organisms. It decouples the relationship between flow rate and nutrient availability, allowing high flow rates for good mixing while the mineral solid controls nutrient release rate independently through its adsorption-capacity
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
Ensures a constant nutrient composition, reduces waste water, and enhances biomass production by maintaining optimal growth conditions, allowing for efficient CO2 utilization and energy generation from the biomass.
Implementation Method 1
the substrate is guided over at least one mineral solid and through which the substrate flows, the substrate being enriched with at least some of the nutrients on the at least one mineral solid
Implementation Method 2
Phototrophic organisms, in particular algae and cyanobacteria, metabolize CO2 to biomass under the influence of light
Implementation Method 3
The substrate flowing through the reactor chamber also produces good mixing in the reactor chamber
Implementation Method 4
The organisms or their biomass is separated from the substrate, for example, by settling them down and skimming off the substrate
Data Source
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AI summary
Cultivating phototrophic organisms in at least one bioreactor (1), comprises flowing an aqueous substrate through at least one reactor chamber (2) that receives the phototrophic organisms, where nutrients from the substrate are absorbed by the organisms. The substrate is guided through at least one mineral solid body, which enriches the substrate with at least one portion of nutrients. An independent claim is also included for a device for cultivating phototrophic organisms, comprising the bioreactor having the reactor chamber with a housing that is at least partially transparent, a flow channel (5) for the substrate, which passes through the reactor chamber, for supplying nutrients to the organisms, where the mineral solid body is arranged in at least one portion of the flow channel.