Worm-Based Nutrient Conversion for Algal Growth Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional algal growth systems rely on costly synthetic nutrients, making CO2 capture and generation of low-value products like fuel unfeasible, as natural waste materials are not effectively utilized due to contamination and nutrient form incompatibility with algae.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using worms to break down food waste into bio-available nutrients by processing it in a container with a porous bottom and moveable screen, where worm castings are harvested and used as nutrients for algal growth, leveraging the worms' ability to convert complex compounds into water-soluble forms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If synthetic nutrients are used for algal growth, then algal growth is controlled and optimized, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgal growth controlVSAvoidnutrient cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces worms as an intermediary biological agent that processes food waste into bio-available nutrients. The worms act as a mediator between the waste material and the algae, converting complex waste compounds into a form that algae can utilize, thus eliminating the need for expensive synthetic nutrients while maintaining effective algal growth control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses food waste itself as the nutrient source for algae, with worms naturally processing the waste into usable nutrients. This self-service approach eliminates external nutrient inputs and costs, allowing the system to sustain itself using only waste material and biological processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If food waste is used directly as nutrient source, then cost is reduced, but nutrient bio-availability is insufficient due to contamination and form incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient costVSAvoidnutrient bio-availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Worms serve as a biological intermediary that naturally processes food waste, breaking down complex compounds and contaminants into bio-available nutrient forms. This intermediary processing ensures that the nutrients become compatible with algal metabolism while maintaining the low-cost advantage of using food waste

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the nutrient material through worm processing. The worms transform the nutrient form from non-bio-available waste material into bio-available compounds, altering the chemical composition and physical properties to match what algae require for effective growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If natural waste materials are utilized, then cost is reduced and sustainability improves, but effective utilization is blocked by contamination and nutrient form issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem sustainabilityVSAvoidcontamination and nutrient form incompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful factors of contamination and nutrient form incompatibility into benefits by using worms to process the waste. The worms naturally degrade contaminants and transform nutrient forms, turning what would be harmful waste material into beneficial, bio-available nutrients for algae, thus achieving both sustainability and effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 converts food waste into bio-available nutrients for algal growth systems, reducing costs and enabling efficient CO2 capture and nutrient utilization, thereby making algal growth more feasible and sustainable.

Implementation Method 1

using worms to break down food waste into bio-available nutrients by processing it in a container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological decomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

container with a porous bottom and moveable screen, where worm castings are harvested

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11470791B2System and method for providing nutrients to an algal growth system

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A system and method for converting food waste and other biologically-derived waste materials into nutrients for an algal growth system using worms to produce such nutrients is described. In one embodiment, a method for converting food waste into nutrients for an algal growth system using worms includes providing food waste to a container including a plurality of worms. The method also includes collecting castings from the food waste processed by the plurality of worms. The method further includes providing a wash to the container. The wash causes the castings to move to a bottom portion of the container adjacent to a moveable screen. The method includes actuating the moveable screen so that the castings pass through a plurality of holes in the moveable screen. The method also includes providing the passed castings to an algal growth system.