Movable Light Source for Fouling-Free Microalgae Photobioreactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photobioreactors face productivity issues due to fouling of lighting systems immersed in fluid, leading to frequent maintenance and reduced biomass productivity, as well as challenges in optimizing light delivery and distribution for microalgae cultivation, which limits carbon dioxide uptake and biofuel production.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a light source that can move within the fluid, adjusting its motion based on hydrostatic and hydrodynamic properties, and using a magnetic field to maintain a laminar flow and reduce fouling, allowing for reliable electromagnetic energy delivery and extended operational periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a lighting system is immersed in the fluid for delivering electromagnetic energy to organisms, then light delivery efficiency is improved, but fouling on the lighting system increases leading to frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is made movable within the fluid rather than stationary, allowing it to change position dynamically. The light source can move between different locations in the photobioreactor, enabling continuous operation without fixed fouling points and reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining efficient light delivery to the microalgae culture.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the light source position is fixed for stable operation, then operational stability is improved, but adaptability to changing fluid conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is designed to move dynamically within the photobioreactor in response to changing fluid conditions such as culture density, viscosity, and light attenuation. This allows the system to adapt to different operational phases and maintain optimal light delivery efficiency throughout the cultivation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor fluid conditions and adjust the light source position accordingly. Sensors detect changes in the microalgae culture characteristics and control the light source movement to maintain optimal illumination, balancing stability with adaptability to changing conditions.
3Reliability
If maintenance frequency is increased to reduce fouling, then cleanliness is improved, but productivity decreases due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
By making the lighting system movable rather than stationary, the patent reduces fouling accumulation at fixed points. The light source can be repositioned to areas with less biofilm accumulation, extending maintenance intervals and reducing downtime while maintaining adequate light delivery for biomass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lighting system inherently resists fouling by continuously changing position, reducing the need for external maintenance interventions. The system's motion itself serves to prevent fouling accumulation, allowing longer operational periods between maintenance cycles and maintaining higher overall productivity.
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 approach enhances the productivity of microalgae cultivation by minimizing fouling, optimizing light distribution, and maintaining efficient energy delivery, thereby improving biomass production and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
using a magnetic field to maintain a laminar flow and reduce fouling
Implementation Method 2
The cultured organisms are usually photosynthesizing organisms
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for influencing an organism included in a fluid by a light source immersed in the fluid, wherein a motion of the light source in the fluid is or can be pre-set and/or adjusted. Culturing and killing/debilitating are examples of influencing an organism. A light source immersed in a culture milieu provides fouling free supply of photonic energy to the culture milieu growing phototropic or mixotrophic organisms and operating in continuous or semi continuous or batch or semi-batch mode. The light source for delivering light energy in a facility for culturing an organism, a device for delivering light energy in a facility for culturing an organism, a facility 30 culturing an organism, and a method for operating a facility for culturing an organism are provided.