Vertical Photo-bioreactor Tube Array for Algae Cultivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biofuel production methods, such as those using oil crops and open-pond algae cultivation, are not space-efficient and require concentrated carbon dioxide, which is costly and inefficient to collect and store, limiting the scalability of microalgae-based biofuels.
Innovation Solution
A space-efficient photo-bioreactor system that grows microalgae in a tall array of transparent flooded tubes, using ambient air for photosynthesis, with a vertically-oriented gassing system that maximizes gas dissolution in the nutrient medium, allowing for efficient carbon dioxide utilization and minimizing land use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concentrated carbon dioxide is used as feed material, then photosynthesis efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to collection, transport, and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary component (carbon dioxide) from ambient air through simple diffusion into the liquid medium, eliminating the need for complex collection, transport, and storage systems while maintaining photosynthesis efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid medium acts as an intermediary that facilitates the transfer of carbon dioxide from ambient air to the microalgae, enabling efficient gas exchange without requiring complex gas handling infrastructure
2Ease of operation
If open-pond method is used for algae cultivation, then operation simplicity is improved, but space efficiency deteriorates as more surface area is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal surface cultivation (open ponds) to vertical space utilization with tubes extending upward, dramatically increasing cultivation density without requiring additional surface area while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple transparent tubes are nested within a vertical support structure, allowing dense packing of cultivation units in three-dimensional space, thereby maximizing biomass production per unit surface area
3Area of stationary object
If tall array of transparent tubes is used, then space efficiency is improved, but sunlight distribution uniformity becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The cultivation system is segmented into multiple independent transparent tubes, each receiving direct sunlight exposure, ensuring uniform light distribution throughout the vertical array while maintaining high space efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Each tube in the vertical array is designed with local optical properties (transparency and orientation) optimized for maximum sunlight penetration, ensuring uniform photosynthesis conditions throughout the tall structure
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 achieves high microalgae growth efficiency while using ambient air, reducing the need for concentrated carbon dioxide and minimizing land use, making microalgae-based biofuels more economically viable and scalable.
Implementation Method 1
The array is configured to maximize the amount of sunlight falling upon each tube so that growth of the microalgae is as uniform as possible
Implementation Method 2
Air, or other CO2-containing gas, is injected near the bottom of the gassing tube. The size of the gas bubbles is controlled by injecting through appropriate metering openings. The gas diffuses through the liquid medium as the mixture rises in the gasser tube.
Data Source
AI summary
A space efficient photo-bioreactor. The bioreactor grows microalgae in a tall array of transparent flooded tubes. A nutrient media is circulated through the tubes. The array is configured to maximize the amount of sunlight falling upon each tube so that growth of the microalgae is as uniform as possible. A vertically-oriented gasser tube is provided. Gas is injected into this gasser tube along with the liquid nutrient medium. A bubble-size limiter is employed in the gas injector. The flow rates are configured so that the liquid nutrient medium and injected gas remain within the vertical gasser tube for 30 seconds or more.