Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090029445 | ALGAE GROWTH SYSTEM FOR OIL PRODUCTION - A biological growth reactor vessel for the cultivation of micro-algae, diatoms or other unicellular organisms, especially for oil production, is described which incorporates a dispensing rod to which are attached a plurality of clear paddles which increase surface area for the diffusion of light and growth enhancing admixtures such as CO2, nitrogen and cellulose premixed at micron level. The dispensing rod incorporates a plurality of holes strategically placed to disperse the micron-mixture slurry of the growth admixtures. The dispensing rod and its attached clear paddles make use of methods and technologies to concurrently micron mix admixtures such as natural gases, amendments and other biological factors such as enzymes and microbes to increase contact area between said mixtures and micro-algae, diatoms or other naturally occurring unicellular growth. The dispensing rod is also used in a strategic moment in time to introduce a high concentrate of micro-bubbles, micron-mixed catalase enzymes and other cellulose break-down admixtures and gases to enhance rupturing of cell walls in order to extract the maximum amount of triglyceride content from both intra and extra-cellular walls of said micro-algae, diatom or other microorganism. | 01-29-2009 |
20090291485 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING PHOTOSYNTHETIC GROWTH IN A PHOTO BIOREACTOR - A system and methods for enhancing mass production of algae, diatoms or other photosynthetic organism is described. The system and methods are useful in applications such as energy production, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and CO | 11-26-2009 |
20110308962 | Bio-Energy Reactor - A system includes an ionic exchange conduit through which a flow of photosynthetic biomass is drawn capturing an electrical charge which is used to alternately power a photonic activated reservoir housing a living photosynthetic biomass suspended in a flowing liquid medium which self generates an electrical charge as it migrates towards and through a cathode separated from an anode by a membrane. Upon electrical transfer through the circuit an electrolysis process begins and releases hydrogen and oxygen into enclosed atmosphere chambers where these separated gases can be captured for use in a fuel cell. | 12-22-2011 |
20120129244 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DEWATERING, FLOCCULATING AND HARVESTING ALGAE CELLS - Described herein are systems, methods and apparatuses, for dewatering, flocculating and harvesting microorganisms. In various implementations, at least one intracellular product from the microorganisms is recovered and processed according to methods disclosed herein. In some implementations, an electromagnetic field is applied to an aqueous suspension of microorganisms thereby causing flocculation of the microorganisms. In various implementations, the microorganisms are harvested, such as by causing the microorganisms to flocculate and sink to the bottom of a container. Alternatively, the microorganisms are caused to flocculate and float to the surface of the aqueous medium where they can be recovered by skimming. In other implementations, the microorganisms are lysed as they are passed through a second electromagnetic field to release intracellular products, among other desired components of the microorganisms. In some implementations, the intracellular contents of the microorganisms, as well as cellular mass and debris, are recovered and utilized as useful products. | 05-24-2012 |
20130192130 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HARVESTING AND DEWATERING ALGAE - An applied electrical field effects the harvesting of algae from a growth medium through increased interface potential between solvent and solute and the use of micron-sized bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen gas. The process and method makes use of strategically placed bipolar electrode plates that generate hydrogen and oxygen gas. Micro bubbles of the gas flocculate the biomass out of solution concurrently clarifying the water for re-use in an algae growth system. The flocked algae can then be processed for use in applications which require a chemical-free and dewatered product such as required for bio-fuels, pharmaceuticals or food. | 08-01-2013 |
20130206587 | INCREASING CONTACT BETWEEN SOLUTES AND SOLVENTS IN AN AQUEOUS MEDIUM - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for electrically altering the charge and conductivity of polar solvents are disclosed. Such alterations are effected via a system comprising, among other things, an electrolyzing apparatus which stimulates higher conductivity and increased interfacial contact between polar protic solvents and fluids to assist or promote the extraction and/or leaching of solutes, including hydrocarbons, such as lipids, from an admixture, an occluded biomass or another aqueous medium. Methods, systems, and apparatuses for reducing the amount of solvents used in liquid extraction processes and increasing solvent recovery through the concurrent introduction of amphoteric species, which assist in the removal of the polar solvent from its liquid phase to a recoverable and reusable form, are also disclosed. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211113 | Systems and Methods for Extracting Non-Polar Lipids from an Aqueous Algae Slurry and Lipids Produced Therefrom - Methods, systems, and apparatuses for extracting non-polar lipids from microalgae are achieved using a lipid extraction device having an anode and a cathode that forms a channel and defines a fluid flow path through which an aqueous slurry is passed. An electromotive force is applied across the channel at a gap distance in a range from 0.5 mm to 200 mm to cause the non-polar lipids to be released from the algae cells. The non-polar lipids can be extracted at a high throughput rate and with low concentrations of polar lipids such as phospholipids and chlorophyll. | 08-15-2013 |
20130228464 | Harvesting and Dewatering Algae Using a Two-Stage Process - The present invention is generally directed to an apparatus for harvesting algae using a two-stage approach. The two-stage approach includes a flocculation stage and a dewatering stage. The flocculation stage is implemented within a first-stage flocculation tank in which algae suspended within a growth medium is flocculated. The flocculated algae is then fed to a second-stage flotation tank in which electrodes are used to produce hydrogen and oxygen bubbles which attach to the flocculated algae causing the flocculated algae to float to the surface. The mat of floating algae can then be skimmed off the surface of the growth medium. | 09-05-2013 |
20130288329 | Producing Algae Biomass Having Reduced Concentration Of Contaminants - The present invention is generally directed to a system for producing an algae biomass and wastewater that have reduced concentrations of contaminants. The algae and wastewater treated by the system of the present invention can be combined in a heterotrophic growth system in which the growth of the algae is increased due to the reduced concentration of contaminants. The algae grown in this manner also has a longer shelf life due to the lack of contaminants within the harvested algae. | 10-31-2013 |
20130299434 | Removing Ammonia From Water - A system for removing ammonia from wastewater includes a series of interconnected reactor tubes that each comprise an outer cathode and an inner cathode that is centrally positioned within the outer cathode to form a spacing of between 3 mm and 10 mm through which wastewater may flow. At least one of the reactor tubes includes an inner cathode having a MMO coating. Hypochlorite or another chlorine based element can be supplied to wastewater prior to passing through the reactor tubes. The presence of the hypochlorite within the wastewater and the generation of chlorine by the MMO coated cathode result in an increased level of hypochlorite being present in the wastewater which speeds the breakdown of ammonia. A portion of the wastewater processed through the reactor tubes can be diverted through a feedback path to the input to the reactor tubes to increase the amount of hypochlorite present in the unprocessed wastewater. | 11-14-2013 |
20140106437 | REMOVING COMPOUNDS FROM WATER USING A SERIES OF REACTOR TUBES CONTAINING CATHODES COMPRISED OF A MIXED METAL OXIDE - A series of reactor tubes can be employed to remove a biofilm from a growth medium. Each reactor tube can contain a cathode comprised of a blend of transition metal oxides. As the growth medium is passed through the series of reactor tubes, a specific voltage and amperage can be applied to the reactor tubes to cause the biofilm to aggregate without damaging the algae. The aggregated biofilm can then be easily removed from the growth medium. | 04-17-2014 |
20150076076 | SYSTEM FOR REMOVAL OF SUSPENDED SOLIDS AND DISINFECTION OF WATER - A system for removal of suspended solids and disinfection of an aqueous medium by electrolysis is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of electrode assemblies configured to generate hydrogen gas and halides. Each electrode assembly comprises an inner electrode made of a non-donating conductive material and an outer electrode configured to sheath the inner anode. The outer electrode comprises a conductive material and a plurality of apertures. Power is supplied to the electrode assemblies and electrolysis occurs to generate hydrogen gas and halides. The halides disinfect the aqueous medium and the hydrogen gas entrains suspended solids to the surface of the aqueous medium. The suspended solids are removed from the surface of the aqueous medium. | 03-19-2015 |