Photobioreactor Uniform Light Distribution via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In photobioreactors, as phototrophic microorganism cultures multiply and the liquid turns green due to higher chlorophyll content, light cannot reach all areas, leading to reduced light intensity and delayed biomass growth, and existing designs with light-scattering particles and meandering flow paths result in adhesion issues and difficult cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A photobioreactor with multiple spaced-apart containers for holding a nutrient medium, each with a cuboid interior volume, gas supply at the bottom wall for circulation, and LED lighting that can be adjusted for intensity and spectrum, reducing adhesion and facilitating easy cleaning and optimal light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-scattering particles are embedded in transparent plates to distribute light uniformly, then light distribution is improved, but device complexity and cleaning difficulty increase due to numerous angles and corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light-scattering particles and complex plate structures from the system. Instead of modifying the container walls with embedded particles, the invention uses simple, smooth-walled containers combined with external lighting systems and gas-driven circulation to achieve uniform light distribution and prevent adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the bioreactor into multiple separate, simple cuboid containers rather than using a single complex structure with internal plates. This segmentation allows each container to have smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces while the collective system achieves uniform light distribution through strategic positioning and gas circulation patterns.
2Illumination intensity
If meandering flow paths are created around plates, then light radiation into the bioreactor is improved, but microorganism adhesion increases due to angles and corners
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating complex meandering flow paths around internal plates, the invention inverts the approach by using simple containers with gas inlets at the bottom that generate upward flow. This creates circulation patterns that prevent adhesion without requiring complex geometric structures, thereby eliminating the corners and angles that cause microorganism accumulation.
3Illumination intensity
If internal plates are added to create flow patterns, then light distribution is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes internal plates and complex flow-inducing structures from the bioreactor design. The system achieves adequate light distribution and fluid circulation through simpler means: external lighting systems and gas injection at the bottom of simple cuboid containers, making the internal surfaces smooth and easy to clean.
4Productivity
If container volume is increased for higher productivity, then biomass production is improved, but light penetration to interior areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gas injection (pneumatics) at the bottom of large-volume containers to create strong circulation currents. This hydraulic action keeps the culture medium constantly moving, bringing interior regions closer to the light sources and preventing stagnation, thereby maintaining effective light penetration even in large-volume containers that would otherwise have poor light reachability.
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 uniform light exposure for advanced growth, reduces microorganism adhesion, and simplifies cleaning and maintenance, enabling higher growth rates and purities compared to natural environments.
Implementation Method 1
The containers each have at least one gas inlet in the region of a bottom wall. Ascending gas in the area of the gas supply creates a flow against the direction of gravity to a surface of the nutrient solution
Implementation Method 2
The container contents are thus continuously circulated, causing the organisms to move alternately inside the container and near the walls
Implementation Method 3
In photobioreactors, microorganisms can be propagated using light, carbon dioxide, nutrients, water, and salts. The microorganisms or their components are used, for example, in the production of fuels, food, food additives, enzymes, oils, proteins, pharmacological agents, chemical products, and plastics
Data Source
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AI summary
Photobioreactor for the production of photosynthetic organisms with several spaced-apart containers for holding a nutrient medium.