project:algae-coil:concept

Created by MatthewDaveyMatthewDavey on the 1227335501|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Concept Requirements Design Legal Builders Prototypes Media Documentation Tasks Suggestions Discussion

Algae Coil

A Photobioreactor for mitigation of greenhouse gases

Concept:

Pollution, especially rising levels of greenhouse gases are causing concern around the world. The primary source of greenhouse gases coming from the burning of fossil fuels, with the majority burnt in coal based power stations. What can be done to reduce these gases?

One solution is to use Blue-green algae. Blue-green algae are known as the fastest growing organism to utilize photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis involves water, nutrients, several greenhouse gases, and light to cause chemical reactions within the organism enabling the energy from the light to be stored in chemical bonds such as hydrocarbons. The algae can then be used to produce hydrocarbon fuels.

This invention relates to a photobioreactor enabling effective cultivation and harvesting of a blue-green algae solution. It is designed to maximize the exposure of flue gases (from the burning of carbon based fuels) and light to a blue-green algae solution, effectively removing a majority of greenhouse gases from the flue gases.

The Algae Coil photobioreactor design in this invention consists of the following components:

  1. A vertical coil of transparent or semi-transparent tubing joined at top and bottom via a tube or tank so as to provide a system through which a solution of blue-green algae, water, nutrients and gas can circulate.
  2. A tap at the base of the photobioreactor to allow the solution to be drained off and harvested or cleaning of the photobioreactor.
  3. A gas inlet into the tubing, connected at the base of the coil, above the tap so that gas rises up through the solution in the tubular coil.
  4. A stop value on the gas inlet to prevent the algae solution flowing back up the gas inlet.
  5. A gas outlet at the uppermost point of the photobioreactor.
  6. A method of temperature control for the photobioreactor via a heat exchanger, controlling the temperature of the gas to the gas inlet.
AlgaeCoil1s.jpg

Premises:

Blue-green algae are known as the fastest growing organism to utilize photosynthesis. Doubling in number up to three times a day, depending on the species and conditions.

The process of photosynthesis involves water, nutrients, several greenhouse gases, and light to cause chemical reactions within the organism enabling the energy from the light to be stored in chemical bonds such as hydrocarbons. The algae can then be used to produce hydrocarbon fuels.

Flue gases can have all of the nutrient needs of Algae.

Algae can be used to produce:

  • oil and oil products
  • bio-diesel
  • ethanol
  • butanol
  • biomass
  • green coal