Multi-functional Port for Microalgae Cultivation Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Closed-ended photochemical reactors face challenges in microalgae cultivation due to reduced agitation and light use efficiencies, microalgae precipitation during cultivation, and difficulties in sampling and harvesting, which hinder efficient carbon dioxide fixation and product harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional port system with T-shaped and I-shaped one touch valves and a gas supply tube network that supplies gas for cultivation, prevents precipitation, and facilitates sampling and harvesting by connecting to closed-ended photochemical reactors, allowing for steady gas supply and efficient microalgae handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If closed-ended photochemical reactors are used for microalgae cultivation, then microalgae concentration can be increased, but sampling and harvesting become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The port assembly is divided into multiple functional valves (cultivation valve, prevention valve, sampling valve, harvesting valve) that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows specific operations (sampling, harvesting) to be performed independently without affecting the overall closed-ended reactor system, thus maintaining high microalgae concentration while enabling easy sampling and harvesting through the appropriate valve activation sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The port assembly integrates multiple functions into a single integrated structure that serves cultivation, precipitation prevention, sampling, and harvesting operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate access points for each operation, making sampling and harvesting as easy as activating the appropriate valve while maintaining the benefits of the closed-ended reactor for high concentration cultivation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If gas supply is increased for agitation, then microalgae precipitation is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prevention valve is designed to supply gas in periodic bursts rather than continuous flow. This periodic gas supply creates intermittent agitation that prevents microalgae precipitation during cultivation without requiring constant high energy input, thus maintaining suspension stability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous agitation.
3Productivity
If multiple photochemical reactors are used for cultivation, then carbon dioxide fixation capacity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple photochemical reactors are connected through a common port assembly system with standardized valve configurations. This merging approach allows multiple reactors to be operated as an integrated system where gas supply and sampling/harvesting can be controlled through coordinated valve activation, increasing overall carbon dioxide fixation capacity while managing system complexity through standardized interfaces and procedures.
4Use of energy by moving object
If closed-ended photochemical reactors are used, then light use efficiency improves, but agitation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Gas supply through the cultivation and prevention valves provides hydraulic agitation within the closed-ended reactor. This pneumatic-hydraulic agitation mechanism maintains adequate mixing and prevents precipitation while preserving the light penetration advantages of closed-ended reactors, thus balancing light use efficiency with sufficient agitation through fluid dynamics rather than mechanical means.
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 system ensures consistent gas supply to closed-ended photochemical reactors, reduces microalgae precipitation, and simplifies sampling and harvesting, enabling the cultivation of highly concentrated microalgae with reduced time and manpower, thereby enhancing carbon dioxide fixation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
microalgae, phytoplankton, use sun as an energy source and grow up with photosynthesis for biofixation of carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
supplies gas for prevention of precipitation for lifting microalgae during cultivation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a port installed in a closed-ended photochemical reactor, and more particularly, to a multi-functional port for microalgae cultivation and harvesting that supplies gas for cultivation for culturing microalgae by connecting to the closed-ended photochemical reactor; supplies gas for prevention of precipitation for lifting microalgae during cultivation; and assembles by taking samples of microalgae or selectively combining a plurality of valves which can harvest microalgae, whose cultivation is completed.