Patent Application
20140256014
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the absorption of CO2 and the conversion thereof into gaseous oxygen by means of microorganisms according to the preamble of Claims 1 and 21.
The present invention relates to methods and systems for the absorption of CO2 and the conversion thereof into gaseous oxygen (O2) utilising therefor particular microorganisms, such as certain microalgae, spores and manure. Preferably, the CO2 proceeds from industrial sources, as a result whereof the objective is achieved of reducing atmospheric pollution, generating as a consequence gaseous oxygen beneficial for the environment.
The present invention is based on the observation of the author of the present invention in the sense that, according to diverse publications, certain microorganisms, microalgae biomass, etc, may be utilised having the dual objective of simultaneously absorbing CO2 and generating lipids employing solely the natural photoperiod and basing the entire invention on the Calvin cycle or photosynthesis. In such cases the cultivation of biomass based on the natural solar light or photosynthetic cycle may confer a certain assurance of success for the production of lipids, together with a satisfactory level of actual absorption of CO2, being intimately related with the capacity of cells themselves to generate triglycerides, cellular division, and the specific location of the installation, generally based in open pools or ponds or in vertical tubing wherein CO2 is expelled from the base thereof and wherein a few seconds following the injection thereof a large part of the gaseous mass escapes again to the atmosphere. Nevertheless, if the appropriate conditions could be brought about such that the microorganisms do not lose energy in generating triglycerides but the same is employed in the reproduction thereof leading to an increased rate of growth and reproduction, the absorption of CO2 and consequent production of O2 thereby would be substantially increased.
Thus, for example, in the prior art there exist systems based on the cultivation of microalgae for the production of biofuels. All thereof utilise, principally, a single species of microalgae (monoculture) having a very low yield, not permitting resolving the economic equation of the process, and work at temperatures of between 22° C. and 28° C., operation thereof being restricted to zones having hot climates. On the contrary, the systems and methods of the present invention may be made to function at temperatures lower than 18° C., in particular between 14 and 16° C., this having been achieved by acclimatising the microalgae species utilised to such climatological conditions. Moreover, in the systems and methods of the invention appropriate conditions may be selected such that the production of triglycerides is at a minor level or even marginal, substantially orienting the production of the microorganisms towards gaseous O2.
Moreover, in systems of the prior art, CO2, and above ail industrial CO2, having an effect on climate change that is becoming more evident every day, is habitually accompanied by other greenhouse gases which are not taken into account in said systems either, which same would severely damage any terrestrial or aquatic biomass cultivation irremediably, as a consequence whereof in the present invention the application thereof has been taken into account very much on an industrial scale, efficiently and consciously based on the multiple disciplines involved and the combination of systems and subsystems rendering it technically viable and scalable.
Utilisation of microalgae for the absorption of CO2 and the substantial conversion thereof into O2 has been known for a long time, thus, for example, patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 3,224,143 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,608 have already described the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen through the use of algae.
More recently, documents WO 92/00380 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,378 describe the conversion of CO2 into O2 by cyanobacteria when the same are irradiated with radiation having wavelengths between 400 and 700 nm. However, the systems described in said documents are designed for the use thereof in artificial hearts, as a consequence whereof they are not optimised for the production of O2 on an industrial scale as are those of the present invention, and they lack many of the technical characteristics described in the present invention.
Methods and systems directed towards the conversion of CO2 into O2 have also been described in other patent publications, such as EP 0 874 043 A1, EP 0 935 991 Al and WO 2005/001104 A1, wherein species of Spirulina platensis and of Chlorella vulgaris were utilised as microalgae, and JP 2009007178 A, wherein marine cyanobacteria of the genus Acaryochloris were utilised.
Nonetheless, none of said documents describe or suggest methods and systems optimised for the conversion of CO2 into O2 presented by the characteristics and advances of the methods and systems of the present invention which, in particular, exhibit notably increased efficiency over those described in the prior art, as shall be described below.
The principal objective sought in the present invention is the conversion of CO2 into O2 as a means of providing practical solutions to the latest regulations, laws and measures intended to reduce the carbon footprint to palliate the effects of global warming.
For this purpose, technological solutions have been put into practice utilising species of microalgae customarily different from those utilised in microalgae cultivation systems intended for the obtainment of biofuels, as are the working conditions thereof. The microorganisms utilised in the present invention are different species of microalgae, bacteria and spores which, in perfect symbiosis, act in an efficient manner in the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) originating from industrial sources and which, with the possible assistance of tracers based on calcium silicates, convert it into oxygen (O2). Through the provision of suitable conditions such that the microorganisms practically do not consume energy in generating triglycerides, said energy is employed by the microorganisms in the reproduction thereof, maintaining a maximum rate of growth, finally redounding in a notably increased rate of absorption of CO2 and of production of O2.
A further aspect considered in the present invention is the physical space necessary for the implementation thereof on an industrial scale. The majority of known systems require natural light as has already been explained; as a consequence, based on the simple equation of solar irradiation per cm2 of surface area, the conclusion is reached that to have the same efficiency as the present invention the systems and methods of the prior art require very extensive land areas which, in the majority of industrial estates, is impracticable or at least economically unviable.
As a consequence, a first aspect of the invention is directed towards a method for purifying contaminated air containing CO2 by means of the use of microalgae, comprising the stages of:
A second aspect of the invention is directed towards a system for purifying contaminated air containing CO2 through the use of microorganisms, comprising the following elements:
characterised in that the system furthermore comprises:
The system will be preferably linear in the case wherein the owner thereof desires to generate oxygen gradually. In this manner, if 100% conversion into oxygen of the gases emitted is not desired from the outset, said value may be attained gradually.
The present invention provides systems and methods for the absorption of CO2, producing gaseous oxygen which may be emitted to the atmosphere, with the objective of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, principally CO2 together with methane gas, there moreover having been found the manner of so doing in the minimum space possible, based on artificial photosynthesis and other resources detailed below in the order of the flow diagram.
In a general manner, the culture is developed by providing the microorganisms with carbon dioxide (CO2), which is mixed and partitioned, adding thereto macro and micro elements, water and tracer elements, being injected in a perfectly proportioned manner together with the CO2 into blind photobioreactors irradiated with certain wavelengths of the visible spectrum delivered to the microorganisms in the form of photons having the required intensity to obtain a high degree of CO2 absorption, inhibiting to a great extent the formation of triglycerides, which in other systems are intended for the production of biofuels, the majority being thus converted into O2.
The systems and methods of the invention provide the possibility of the utilisation of fresh, brackish or salt wafer which being utilised in closed circuit prevents large losses of this resource being produced. Subsequent to taking part in the process the water may be sterilised for reutilisation thereof, to prevent any type of contamination, although the biosystem formed of multiple species of microorganisms substantially inherently prevents the development of other contaminant, competitive or destructive species.
In preferred embodiments, the sea, fresh or brackish water and the CO2 are treated prior to entry thereof into the system of photobioreactors wherein they are incorporated with the microorganisms and the nutrients required such that, with the incidence of light, growth of the biomass of the system takes place.
The culture system utilised is mixotrophic by virtue of the fact that it is independent of natural light. The species have been acclimatised to receive artificial light of a particular wavelength and defined intensity such that maximum CO2 capture occurs. Photoautotrophic systems, on the other hand, require natural light for growth of the culture to occur.
Having achieved the planned maximum growth of the biomass the biomass resulting from the process is partially removed and subsequently deactivated, extracting therefrom biogas through a fermentative oxidation process, utilising therefor natural biological triggers or inducers to accelerate the process (methanogenic bacteria). The composition of the biogas resulting from digestion of the biomass is of approximately 30-40 % CO2 and 60-70% methane. This methane gas (CH4) obtained may be utilised, for example, for the generation of electricity by means of a turbine, in a particularly preferred embodiment, such turbine is a turbine of the author's design calculated for utilisation with methane (CH4) and possessing a conversion efficiency of approximately 87%, differing from modified gasoil or fuel oil generators employing said gas having an approximate conversion efficiency of 50%. Finally, in preferred embodiments, both the calorific energy together with the low levels of emissions from this process are reutilised and reinjected into the system.
The systems and methods of the invention typically comprise the following stages:
1 Step of reception of gases: In general, the majority of large CO2 emitters realise some type of mitigation of emissions of NOx, SOx and particles utilising diverse filters, catalysts and/or mechanical means, achieving differing degrees of mitigation of emissions, those of CO2 being the most abundant, expensive and complex to mitigate by virtue of the volume thereof compared with other contaminants.
In a general manner, the present invention may include a reception or extraction system responsible for extracting or receiving the gases from the source of origin thereof and delivering them under conditions of dissolution, pressure, temperature and physical precatalysis appropriate for the remainder of the system. In one embodiment, in this reception step the invention possesses a cooling prechamber for the gases wherein they are received from the industrial installations of origin thereof through a simple conventional industrial extractor prepared for high temperatures. Should it be present, said extractor will be dimensioned in accordance with the volume of gas which the owner of each plant desires to be absorbed, and the precooling may be realised by any method known to a person skilled in the art.
In another particularly preferred embodiment, the reception system of gases comprises a circuit containing a particular solvent in circulation, wherein both the CO2 and the other accompanying gases, such as NOx, SOx, etc, to mention some thereof, may be dissolved, buffered, precatalysed and/or cooled to the appropriate temperature, as may be deemed necessary or suitable, prior to entering the remainder of the system.
2 Step of physical catalysis: Having been appropriately cooled the gases proceeding from the foregoing step are passed to a step of physical catalysis. In a preferred embodiment this step is realised within a chamber having a humidity of from 40% to 90%, preferably 80% relative humidity, or a series of similar chambers wherein basically the cooled gases are made to circulate past catalytic plates placed in a horizontal or vertical orientation according to the space available. As will be seen below, the entire system may be located underground, principally by virtue of it being based on photosynthesis generated by artificial light, as a result whereof the visual pollution caused by systems found habitually in the market is moreover avoided.
Said plates have been designed and developed for the present invention starting with generally very abundant materials preferably originating from urban waste, principally calcium or magnesium silicates, bonding them in such manner that they present sufficient porosity to permit the passage of gases, particularly the gaseous CO2 and the CO2 dissolved in water. For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment, at the time of manufacture thereof and prior to the setting thereof, the plates are quickly pierced by needles of differing diameters, leaving therein a multiplicity of orifices piercing them diametrically, for example hundreds thereof, permitting an increase in the permeability thereof or, what is the same thing, the velocity of mineral carbonation in the same manner wherein CO2 in nature reacts with non-carbonated minerals to form carbonates, which reactions in nature are normally slow; this constitutes a first barrier of secure fixing of CO2 or oxygen generation. In a particularly preferred embodiment, said plates contain the following materials in the following proportions:
In a particularly preferred embodiment, 50% of the aforementioned calcium carbonate is obtained from the finely ground shells of oysters, clams and scallops obtained from restaurants and seafood processing plants and, to a lesser degree, of those of mussels, which otherwise would end up in dumps, signifying a manner of increasing the value of waste which otherwise might become contaminants. The general reaction which occurs, as in nature, is exemplified in the following manner:
(Mg,Ca)xSiyOx+zy+z+xCO2→x(Mg,Ca)CO3+ySiO2+zH2O
Normally the percentage of finely ground calcium and magnesium silicates incorporated into the closed circuit of extraction of gases lies between 20 g/l and 250 g/l.
In particular locations, such as in Chubut, Argentina, wherefrom the inventor originates, high percentages of olivine have been found in local clayey soils which may also be utilised in different proportions in the aforementioned formulation, it having been observed that one tonne of pure olivine may achieve the storage (crushed) of up to 2.3 tonnes of CO2 in a relatively short time.
Olivine from Chubut: Mg2SiO4+2CO2→2MgCO3+SiO2
In the system described, and by virtue of the fact that normally sequestration of CO2 from chimneys is undertaken through closed circuit scrubbing by water stream (physical catalysis module—chimney—physical catalysis module loop) also rich in silicates, consequently part of the fixing of CO2 already occurs through the very dilution of the CO2 in water and in permanent contact within this loop.
Said system, which furthermore may serve to cool the inlet gases which, in most plants, range between 130° C. and 600° C. in many cases, will generate steam pressure in the circuit and will raise the temperature in the first absorption module which will operate, depending on the plant in question in respect of the installation of this system, at a temperature of between 100 and 200° C. and under a regime which will increase the permeability of the plates and, as a consequence, the speed of CO2 fixing. This module is made to work as a cascade condenser, balancing the pressures and extracting the CO2 at a lower temperature by means of a vacuum towards a second optional physical catalysis module which will preferably work at lower temperatures, of the order of 21° C., and 1 atm pressure.
The original principal reactants (CO2 and silicates) when mutually combined experience a reduction in the volume thereof, carbonates being some 900 times more dense (weighted average among those referred to) than CO2 in gaseous state at approximately 20° C. and 1 atm. On the CO2 being fixed in the minerals (solid phases) of the catalytic plates, that is to say the CO2 having been incorporated into the solid phase, the assembly (depending on the mixtures and the percentages thereof) generates increases in weight and volume ranging from 10% to 150%. The panels, having attained saturation, may be exchanged and easily utilised by different types of plant, especially cement plants. Moreover, as already stated, the raw materials are abundant and may be obtained from different places at very competitive price and having become saturated they are 100% recyclable without any type of special treatment other than the grinding thereof once more.
Preferably, said plates are periodically analysed to evaluate the constitution and catalytic efficiency thereof. The most convenient standard dimensions of the module are 2.25 m wide×2.50 m high×12.5 m long in order that they may be rapidly exchanged by lorry and transported to special reassembly installations. Moreover, the new units may be interconnected such that it is not necessary to stop the cycle to change the plates of the integral oxygen production circuit. Diverse chemical reactions being realised in the catalysis, the containers therefor are preferably plastic coated internally and the floors thereof are installed in the form of trays to contain and recirculate the different elements of the plates which decompose and drip as a result of to the high humidity of the environment and acidification of the medium caused by the CO2.
These modules will be preferably dimensioned to substantially absorb the remains of the MOx and SOx of the inlet gas, together with from 20% to 25% of the CO2 contained therein, which the materials described in the composition of said plates will catalyse and/or convert into O2. The 75 to 80% balance of CO2 gas, although still containing minimal traces of NOx and SOx, will be sent to the subsequent fermentation step.
3 Fermentation step: The gases proceeding from the foregoing step are transferred to fermenter tanks wherein they are passed across a culture containing a biofamily of microorganisms of the type of microalgae and spores having great capacity for the absorption or biofixation of CO2 and liberation of oxygen, which culture is then subjected to particular conditions of irradiation. In a preferred embodiment, such biofamily of microorganisms comprises any subset of the following species:
Clorophyceae: Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella saccharophila, Lobornonas sp, Scenedesmus acuminatus, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Scenedesmus sp, Scenedesmus desmodesmus, Ankistrodesmus angustus, Monoraphidium griffithii, Elakatothrix gelatinosa, Golenkinia radiata, Dictyosphaerium pulchellum, Sphaerocystis schroeteri, Oocystis sp, Selenodyctium brasiliensis,
Cyanophyceae: Chroococcus sp, Cyanophyceae filamentosa, Arthrospira platensis, Arthrospira maxima, Nostoc sp, Nostoc ellipsosporum, Nostoc spongiaeforme, Anabaena macrospora, Anabaena monticulosa, Anabaena azollae, Spirulina platensis, Spirulina maxima, Spirulina orovilca, Spirulina jeejibai, Spirulina lonar, Prorocentrum dentatum, Noctiluca scientillans, Trichodesmium sp., Aurantiochytrium,
Cryptophyceae: Cryptomonas sp, Cryptomonas brasiliensis;
Diatomaceae: Centrica (unidentified), Nitzschia sp, Skeletonema costatum,
Spores and manure: Brown Laminariales (Macrocystis pyrifera, Undaria pinnatifida); Red of Order Gigartinaies (Gigartina skottsbergii, Kappaphycus alvarezii), Green of Order Ulvales (Enteromorpha prolifera).
All these species, in the form of an assembly thereof (biofamily) or separately or in any combinations and proportions of natural or induced predominance thereof, may be developed in fresh, brackish or sea water in appropriate proportions of dilution and temperature according to the region wherein the cultivation thereof is established, or they may be cultivated in water or in an artificial cultivation medium having the following characteristics, according to a preferred embodiment:
For every 1000 ml of distilled or bidistilled water there will be artificially added the following elements, ensuring very suitable performance of the species stated for the objective sought, the same being capable of being developed separately or as an assembly (biofamily), it being possible to regulate the proportions in the sense of the minimum percentages stated (less brackish to fresh water) or the maximum percentages stated (less brackish to sea water, including having salt lake characteristics):
NaCl From 3 to 33 g/l, preferably approximately 11 g/l;
KCl From 0.1 to 0.9 g/l, preferably approximately 0.4 g/l;
MgSO4 From 1 to 3 g/l, preferably approximately 1.50 g/l;
Na2SiO3.9H2O From 0.1 to 0.9 g/l, preferably approximately 0.5 g/l;
FeSO4.7H2O From 1 to 8 mg/l, preferably approximately 3 mg/l;
Na2EDTA From 1 to 9.6 mg/l, preferably approximately 2.7 mg/l;
CaCl2 From 0.1 to 0.25 g/l, preferably approximately 0.10 g/l;
MnCl2.4H2O From 1 to 5 g/l, preferably approximately 2 g/l;
CoCl2 From 1 to 9 μg/l, preferably approximately 2.3 μg/l;
CuCl2.2H2O From 1 to 20 μg/l, preferably approximately 15 μg/l;
ZnCl2 From 0.1 to 0.7 mg/l, preferably approximately 0.3 mg/l;
H3BO3 From 20 to 40 mg/l, preferably approximately 31.5 mg/l.
In this step the microorganisms stated are irradiated with light radiation containing from 40 to 60%, and preferably approximately 50%, blue light having a wavelength of between 400 and 475 nm, the other wavelengths of the visible spectrum, such as red, yellow, etc, optionally excluding green, participating in the remainder of the light radiation, all thereof having an intensity of at least 20 W/cm2 to 38 W/cm2. Optionally, this irradiation scheme is moreover combined with the presence in the culture of an organic inhibitor selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, a ketone or a carboxyiic acid, and in a more preferred manner ethanol, acetone or propanoic acid and/or pentanoic acid, having the objective of inhibiting intra- and extracellular triglyceride fixation, leading to a high metabolic activity and requirement for carbon by the microorganisms, in turn being translated into high consumption of CO2 by the same.
Furthermore, the author hereof observed that additionally irradiating the microorganisms for 3 seconds every minute at an intensity of between 5 and 15W/cm2 with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of between 400 and 200 nm without exceeding an energy of 3·106 eV per photon, preferably in combination with the aforementioned organic inhibitor, destruction of the DNA of the cyanobacteria does not occur nor is the regime of photoinhibition thereof reached, but nevertheless the same are induced to produce up to 2.5 kg of oxygen per 2.8 kg of CO2 provided to each kilogram of biomass.
In a practical embodiment, the dwell time of the biomass in the fermenter was between 4 and 6 days, a variable percentage of between 10 and 40% of said biomass being removed every 5 days on average in order to inject it into the principal absorption circuit. That is to say, the fermenters are used in this mode for the superintensive growing of biomass which may be optionally transferred to the principal absorption circuit to replace that which may be lost through mitochondrial overexcitation and profound photoinhibition. That is to say, it takes the role of what would be a seedbed in traditional agriculture.
A further characteristic of the systems and methods described, differing from other systems of the prior art, is that the biofamily of microorganisms multiplies very adequately in the described percentages at water temperatures of between 14° C. and 18° C., in comparison with other systems only operating above 22 degrees Celsius and up to 28° C. The inventor hereof has calculated that the main body of heavy industry worldwide (exceeding 60%) is located above the Tropic of Cancer, that is to say, in cold climates. Consequently, a system such as that of the present invention, being energetically balanced and achieving the purpose for which it is designed, will preferably comprise microalgae species which function optimally in cold climates.
The system of the invention is furthermore more efficient in the use of energy by virtue of the fact that it is possible to take advantage of the residual heat of the exchangers at the beginning of the system.
in order that the biofamily of microorganisms realises its function adequately it is advisable that suitable nutrients be made available in the culture. In a preferred embodiment, the formulation of the nutrients, arising from the study of the impact of the nitrogen cycle in nature and the different alterations thereto through human activities, is that stated below, wherein the percentages quoted are provided weekly (between 7 and 9 days) and refer to percentages by weight of the quantity of biomass resident in the system (alive):
Gaseous nitrogen (N2): between 1% and 30%, preferably approximately 15%;
Nitric acid: between 1% and 30%, preferably approximately 7%;
Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl): between 1% and 30%, preferably approximately 7.5%;
Phosphorus oxide (P2O5), From 1% to 30%:
Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3): between 1% and 30%, preferably approximately 13%;
Potassium oxide (K2O): between 1% and 40%, preferably approximately 23%;
Magnesium oxide (MgO): between 1% and 30%, preferably approximately 5%;
Sulphur trioxide (SO3): between 1% and 40%, preferably approximately 23%;
Calcium oxide (CaO): between 1% and 50%, preferably approximately 13%;
Total boron (B): 0.05%, between 0.01% and 5%;
Total iron (Fe): 0.07%, between 0.01% and 7%;
Total zinc (Zn): 0.05%, between 0.01% and 30%;
the remainder of the culture being water, which may be fresh, brackish or salt.
In this culture the blomass has a concentration of 1 to 100 g/l, preferably approximately 27 g/l. Moreover, in the base of the fermenter tank there is preferably located a distributor promoting the dissolution of nutrients together with the dissolution and disaggregation of microscopic bubbles of CO2, which amply facilitates absorption by the biosystem and biofamily comprising it during the artificial light photoperiod of from 14 to 18 hours. For the remainder of the time, in the dark phase, atmospheric air is provided to it which, as is known, possesses a high N2 content, which will also be present and dissolved in the water and available for the illumination phase.
4 Circuit of Maximum Production of O2: The underlying idea of this step of the process arose through the inventor, of Patagonian origin, identifying that the majority of the light received by the family of microorganisms utilised, originating from typically Patagonian species, was basically blue light (photosynthesis in the abyss) in the natural habitat thereof in Patagonia at a depth of 21 m and a temperature of 8° C. Nevertheless, due to the range of high and low tides, as the tide started to go down said microalgae were gradually irradiated with different light frequencies determined by the depth of the water at each moment. This, according to what is believed, has led to the microalgae biofamily considered having become accustomed to being selective towards particular light frequencies, absorbing more efficiently light at frequencies around light which is bluish. This gave rise to the idea of providing these microalgae with light irradiation of specific wavelengths around those whereto they have naturally acclimatised, although at double or greater light intensity, without substantial photoinhibition being observed therein. Following this reasoning, the author of the present invention developed a photoperiod of 14 to 18 hours of artificial light having an intensity and weighted light dispersion exceeding twice that which the microorganisms would receive under natural conditions, generating exponential growth thereof, extremely high CO2 absorption and O2 production being a consequence thereof.
The foregoing ideas have been manifested in a circuit being, in a convenient manner, a blind photobioreactor by virtue of the fact that the wails thereof do not require to be translucent. Consequently, it may be constructed of metal, PVC plastic or nylon, according to the conditions of location and climatology. According to the quantity of oxygen to be produced, the diameter of said tubes will be calculated for a given quantity of biomass and light radiation of irradiated light by given sector and circuit. Not all tubes require to have the same diameter by virtue of the fact that Bernoulli's principle is utilised to achieve maximum energy savings in impulsion and recirculation, together with subjecting the culture present in the circuit to the desired pressure at each moment, based on appropriate selection of the tubing diameter in each section thereof. Moreover, in a more preferred embodiment, strips of LED diodes, optical fibre or organic LEDs will be disposed in the inferior of the tube to ensure the Calvin cycle during a photoperiod irregular in light frequency and intensity. That is to say, the circuit is divided into sections wherein the biomass dwells during a given period, and in each thereof the biomass will be subjected to a particular pressure and irradiated with a particular irradiation. In agreement with a general illustrative scheme of the conditions of pressure, irradiation and period of residence of the microorganisms in each section of the module of maximum production of O2, according to a preferred embodiment, the circuit will be divided into the following sections:
The circuit may be repeated as many times as deemed necessary or appropriate and, moreover, the stated stages may be exchanged for one another, or some thereof eliminated or repeated in an individual manner, as considered necessary or appropriate in each case.
in an experimental practical embodiment, the biomass commenced being irradiated with an irradiation of between 5 W and 50 W of violet light, the biomass having a concentration of 36 g of biomass per litre of water and being displaced within the tube at a speed of between 1 km/h and 10 km/h, such that the first litre of water entering the tube returned through the other extremity 24 hours later. In this trajectory of 24 hours the different light frequencies succeeded one another, in this manner running through the light spectrum, commencing with violet light and continuing through blue, green, yellow, orange and red, to end with violet again. Between the change from one colour to another there were optionally introduced sections of darkness wherein the microorganisms were maintained in darkness for a particular period of time, for example half an hour, in this manner the biomass passes from a photoautotrophic state, to a heterotrophic state and to a mixotrophic state. This practical embodiment was implemented in a circuit having tubing of diameters from 40 mm to 100 mm, installed in metal portable structures, having an approximate volume of 2.25 meters wide by 2.50 metres high and 12.5 metres long, rendering the system transportable by lorry or within containers. Furthermore, the portable metal structure additionally allows the location up to 4 modules placed one on top of another, there being installed approximately 6 km of tubing. As a result of the experiment the biomass contained in the culture exhibited an absorption capacity of between 2.1 and 2.8 tonnes of CO2, producing between 0.600 and 0.800 tonnes of oxygen for each 1000 kg of biomass.
Furthermore, for each kilometre of tubing it is possible to connect, in bypass or ring form, and by means of a T and several reductions, a tube which, with the dimensions tested, was 6 metres high and between 30 and 40 cm in diameter wherein through the base the CO2 is injected together with nutrients, and at the upper part the principal circuit continues absorbing and drawing from these mixers, by means of the Venturi effect, the water, the biomass, the CO2 and the appropriately dosed and diluted nutrients.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, through the interior of the tubes of the circuit run hoses of LEDs, organic LEDs or optical fibre maintained centred within the same by a system of double rings similar to the Mercedes Benz emblem, through the centre whereof passes a ring having bristle brushes supporting the lights, the exterior ring thereof making contact with the interior walls of the tube. All thereof are joined to one another by a thin steel cable, connected at the extremities of each tube, to an external rotary roller which receives all thereof, passing through the same number of glands preventing water from escaping. Once per month the roller, which has attached thereto a pinion and a low speed electric motor, winds the cables according to the roller of the desired extremity, causing the displacement of all rings towards the same which by means of their brushes clean the adhered biomass from both the line of lights and the exterior of the tube. In other types of photobioreactor of the prior art, after a time the surfaces thereof become saturated with biomass and manure and the efficiency thereof is reduced by up to 90%. At the end of the circuit the oxygen produced is vented.
According to another preferred embodiment, every 7 days a certain percentage of the biomass extracted is removed by cavitation to pass to the methanisation tanks, in this case new biomass is added to the fermenters in the same percentage. The entire circuit of lights preferably has a voltage of 12 V or 24 V, consuming less than 2 W per tonne of oxygen produced and which may be easily supplied by alternative energy, whether wind, photovoltaic, methane, minihydraulic, etc, if the conditions of the location so permit. In this manner a minimum energy balance is maintained for a highly efficient system.
The composition of the resultant dry biomass will depend on the characteristics of the system, on the geographical factors of the location of installation of the system, and on the multiple species utilised. A standard composition per gram of biomass having up to a maximum of 4% humidity would be the following:
Protein: 56-71%
Carbohydrates: 10-17%
Lipids: 6-14%
Nucleic acids: 1-4%
Beta-carotenes and Omegas 3, 6 and 9.
5 Biomass Methanisation or Deactivation Tank: The biomass removed from the previous step is then optionally transferred to a tank or tanks for such purpose, which may be implemented in the form of what are known as biogas plants, having the objective of proceeding to the methanisation or deactivation of the biomass. In the known systems of the prior art, to deactivate a given biomass requires a period of 10 to 12 days. On the contrary, in the present invention, by virtue of the fact that this system utilises a growth trigger for the microorganisms and more efficient and rapid deactivation/methane production, deactivation is achieved in an average of 7 days under any conditions of temperature and with any biomass. The trigger is basically organic glycerine, a very abundant and low-cost byproduct generated, for example, through the production of biodiesei. Being biodegradable it is perfectly assimilable into animal feedstuff. In this manner the biomass is deactivated preventing the methane being slowly emitted into the atmosphere, by virtue of the fact that otherwise the system would be negative in oxygen production given that 1 tonne of methane is equivalent to 21 tonnes of CO2. If one tonne of plant or microaigae biomass produces a weighted average of 5500 litres of methane per day on adding a grade C glycerine trigger, daily production increases by 32%, however it is deactivated beforehand. That is to say that the presence of the trigger does not make the microorganisms extract more methane from a given biomass, what it does is to extract it in less time.
From this methanisation leaves a biogas which in fact is of high purity, being 30% CO2, sent to a separator, there being obtained 30% organic CO2 which is sent to the fermenters and 70% methane (CH4), which is sent to an electricity generating turbine especially designed solely for use with CH4 having a conversion efficiency exceeding 81% and very low indices of emissions, which are reinjected into the initial module of intake of gases.
In this manner, from 100% of CO2 emissions the conversion is achieved of 40% to 60% O2, in addition to abundant electricity from a sustainable source. This sustainable source is obtained from producing and burning the methane (CH4), byproduct of the fermentation or deactivation of the biomass, prior to the conversion thereof into algae meal or algae flour.
6 Water Treatment Plant: Finally, the water having been separated from the biomass in the cavitation tank, it is optionally treated in a treatment and sterilisation plant based on the physical treatment thereof without the involvement of chemical products. Having been suitably treated it is possible to reinject it into the circuit of the fermenters.
In general, in the methods and systems of the invention natural light may be combined with artificial light in any proportion. Moreover, a fixed or variable photoperiod may be utilised, the latter option being of particular interest at sites having very marked seasons with different climates and light amplitudes. Furthermore, the fermentation tanks may optionally be installed having a particular angle with respect to the ground, for example at 45°, and having a particular orientation to achieve better solar tracking and, as a consequence, an additional increment in photosynthetic efficiency.
The present experimental example was realised in the following infrastructure reproducing the system of invention. Said system contained the following components:
During the entire experiment bottled industrial CO2 together with organic CO2 was utilised. The results obtained are shown in
These results clearly demonstrate that the method and system of the invention implemented are capable of developing a very high rate of growth of biomass leading to a very high rate of absorption of CO2 and production of O2 per gram of biomass under the operating conditions.
In a parallel manner, the same experiment as in Example 1 was realised under laboratory conditions with a regulator tank of 400 l capacity (1), an absorption circuit (2) of 240 l, a fermenter (3) of 180 l and a catalytic module (4) having a total of 14 catalyst plates or sheets, each of 1.5 kg. The results may be observed in
In the present example the effect was tested, in the methanisation step of the biomass, of the addition of 7% glycerol as trigger of the process. Said glycerol, dissolved in the process wafer itself, was added at the inlet to the methane tank and the experiment was carried out both with biomass obtained through the method and systems of the invention and with dung. The results are shown in
The present experimental example was carried out during the months from September 2010 to January 2011 (southern summer) in transparent photobioreactors with solar illumination and photoperiod, together with fermenters having an inclination of 45° with no solar tracking device. The weighted average solar radiation of the location was 1150 W/m2 in the period of time from 0800 to 1900 hours, with an average photoperiod of 12 hours. The capacity of the circuit was 1350 l, and the initial sowing of microorganisms was of 10 g of biomass per litre of culture. The biofamily of microorganisms provided to the circuit consisted of 12 species of microalgae (7 anucleated autotrophs of the cyano group and 5 nucleated). The type of water utilised was fresh water having an average pH during the period of 6.5 and an average temperature of 19° C. The average pressure of the circuit was 1.2 atm and the speed of circulation of the culture therein ranged from 0.20 to 0.54 m/s, having a dwell time therein of 24 hours. The remaining parameters of irradiation, pressure, etc, were according to the previously stated scheme.
Overall in the experiment 73 kg of organic CO2 and 487 kg of industrial CO2 were injected, that is to say a total of 560 kg of CO2, there being obtained at the end of said period a total of 212 kg of biomass containing 3 to 5% humidity and 20 kg of other byproducts, such as oils. The rate of growth of the biomass was 49.37% in the period overall and the mass balance obtained was 2.75 kg of CO2 absorbed for every kg of biomass produced. The results of this Experimental Example and of following Examples nos. 5 and 6 are shown in
The present experimental example was carried out during the months from March 2010 to September 2010 (southern autumn and winter) in transparent photobioreactors with solar illumination and photoperiod, together with fermenters having an inclination of 45° and biaxial solar tracking device. The weighted average solar radiation of the location was 740 W/m2 during 7 hours per day, although the photoperiod was extended to 14 hours by virtue of the provision of artificial illumination. The capacity of the circuit was 1350 l, and the initial sowing of microorganisms was of 10 g of biomass per litre of culture. The biofamily of microorganisms provided to the circuit consisted of 12 species of microaigae (7 anucleated autotrophs of the cyano group and 5 nucleated). The type of water utilised was fresh water having an average pH during the period of 6.0 and an average water temperature of 16° C. The average pressure of the circuit was 1.3 atm and the speed of circulation of the culture therein ranged from 0.27 to 0.90 m/s, having a dwell time therein of 24 hours.
Overall in the experiment 195.7 kg of organic CO2 and 805 kg of industrial CO2 were injected, that is to say a total of 1000.7 kg of CO2, there being obtained at the end of said period a total of 331 kg of dry biomass containing 3 to 5% humidity in addition to 20.16 kg of other byproducts, such as oils. The rate of growth of the biomass was 78.13% in the period overall and the mass balance obtained was 2.97 kg of CO2 absorbed for every kg of biomass produced.
The present experimental example was carried out in the same installation as that of Examples 4 and 5 but was undertaken during a complete year, from March 2010 to March 2011. The average photoperiod was of 19 hours, and initially 12 species of microalgae (7 anudeated autotrophs of the cyano group and 5 5 nucleated) were sown at a concentration of 5 g of biomass per litre of culture. The biofamily of microorganisms provided to the circuit consisted of 12 species of microalgae (7 anudeated autotrophs of the cyano group and 5 nucleated). The type of water utilised was fresh water having an average pH during the period of 5.5 and an average water temperature of 14° C. The speed of circulation of the culture therein ranged from 0.54 to 1.3 m/s, having a dwell time of 24 hours.
Overall in the experiment 2593 kg of industrial CO2 were injected, there being obtained at the end of said period a total of 720.2 kg of dry biomass in addition to 45.93 kg of other byproducts, such as oils. The rate of growth of the biomass was 2.8% per day (weighted average value) and the mass balance obtained was 3.6 kg of CO2 absorbed for every kg of biomass produced.
The results of the last 3 experimental Examples demonstrate that the systems and methods of the invention are not simple systems and methods of CO2 mitigation, but are systems and methods having a high rate of capture of CO2 and emission of O2, which emission is produced as a result of the capture and digestion of CO2 by aquatic single ceil organisms induced therefor and having an efficiency of the order of 70% over the total of the CO2 digested.
This technology is applicable to any source of emission of CO2, although it is particularly suitable for highly contaminant sources such as cement, petrochemical, steel, petroleum and electricity generation plants, furthermore the versatility thereof permits the utilisation thereof in cities, motorways or tunnels, wherein it may capture a wide variety of gases.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201100745 | Jun 2011 | ES | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/ES2011/070812 | 11/24/2011 | WO | 00 | 5/9/2014 |
