Phagotrophic Algae Multi-Step Production Process
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for algae growth and waste water treatment struggle to establish desired algae species as a dominant population and efficiently produce valuable algae products, particularly in environments with varying conditions and competing microorganisms, while also dealing with the cost and environmental concerns of activated sludge disposal.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step process involving microorganism consumption and algae product collection steps, where phagotrophic algae consume microorganisms and nutrients, promoting the growth of desired algae species through selection pressures like pH control and nutrient depletion, allowing for efficient production of algae products from waste water and organic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional waste water treatment processes are used to remove organics and nutrients, then waste water is treated, but activated sludge is produced which requires costly disposal and creates environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful excess microorganisms (activated sludge) produced during waste water treatment into a beneficial resource by using phagotrophic algae to consume them, transforming a disposal problem into a value-added algae production process that eliminates sludge disposal costs and environmental concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phagotrophic algae as an intermediary organism between the waste water treatment process and the final product, where these algae consume microorganisms and serve as a bridge to produce valuable algae biomass, thereby resolving the sludge disposal issue
2Productivity
If traditional algae growth methods are used in waste water, then algae can grow, but desired algae species cannot establish as dominant population due to competing microorganisms and varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key environmental parameters including pH control (maintaining pH between 6-8), nutrient availability, and light conditions to create optimal growth conditions for desired phagotrophic algae species while suppressing competing microorganisms, enabling desired species to establish dominance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary selection pressures during the growth process, including pH adjustment and nutrient management, to pre-establish conditions that favor desired algae species before they face competition, ensuring they become the dominant population
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 process effectively promotes the growth of desired algae species, enhances algae product production, and addresses the challenges of waste treatment by establishing a dominant algae population, even in challenging conditions, thereby improving the efficiency and sustainability of algae-based product generation.
Implementation Method 1
combining a liquid growth medium comprising microorganisms with a phagotrophic algae capable of producing a desired algae product, consuming the microorganisms by the phagotrophic algae
Implementation Method 2
consuming the nutrients by the microorganisms, and growing the microorganisms
Implementation Method 3
phagotrophic algae capable of producing a desired algae product
Implementation Method 4
Some algae have a lipid content on the order of 50% to 70% of their dry weight
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A multi-step method for producing an algae product comprising, a microorganism consumption step, another step, and an algae product collection step. The microorganism consumption step comprises, combining a liquid growth medium comprising microorganisms with a phagotrophic algae capable of producing a desired algae product, consuming said microorganisms by said phagotrophic algae, and growing said phagotrophic algae. Another step comprises either a microorganism growth step or a photosynthetic algal growth step. A microorganism growth step comprises providing a liquid growth medium comprising nutrients and microorganisms capable of said consuming said nutrients, consuming said nutrients by said microorganisms, and growing said microorganisms. A photosynthetic algal growth step comprises providing a substantially organic nutrient depleted liquid medium, providing a microorganism population comprising said phagotrophic algae, photosynthetic growth of said phagotrophic algae. An algae product collection step comprises collecting a desired algae product from said phagotrophic algae.