Photobioreactor

Abstract

An invention proposes a construction of a photobioreactor, which is based on application of parallel sets of multi-level troughs intended for flowing a microalgae suspension, these troughs are irradiated therewith by the sun light. The troughs are arranged in each set one above the other horizontally or with a small inclination to the horizontal plane. The width of the gaps between the neighboring sets of the troughs is significantly larger than the width of the troughs themselves; at the same time, the sum of the widths of each troughs' set is significantly higher (up to several times) than the width of the above-mentioned gap. Optical elements, which reflect and disperse the light, are positioned between the neighboring sets of the troughs. In addition, multi-tubular elements with headers may be used in the proposed construction instead of the troughs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the field with the photobioreactor and the accompanied units.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side-elevation view of the multi-level troughs in one set.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section of several sets of the multi-level troughs and the optical elements.

FIG. 4 a is a top plan view of a profiled unit which serves for the troughs' construction.

FIGS. 4 b and 4c are cross-sections of the aforementioned profiled unit.

FIG. 4 d is a side-elevation view of the aforementioned profiled unit.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a top view of the frame constructed from two parallel rods and the arc-wise transverse braces.

FIG. 5 b is a cross-section of the frame constructed from the rods and the arc-wise transverse braces.

FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6b are a side-elevation view and cross-section A-A of the multi-tubular element.

FIG. 7 shows the cross-section of the oblong transparent tube which serves for alternative construction of the multi-tubular element.

Claims

1. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae, said photobioreactor comprising: parallel sets of multi-level troughs intended for flowing a microalgae suspension; said troughs are arranged in each said set one above the other horizontally; the width of the gaps between the neighboring sets of said multi-level troughs is significantly larger than the width of said troughs themselves; at the same time the sum of the widths of each said multi-level troughs' set is significantly higher (up to several times) than the width of said gap between said neighboring sets;optical elements which reflect and disperse the light, said optical elements are positioned between said neighboring sets of said troughs, said optical elements serve for illumination of said troughs situated at the middle and lower levels of said troughs' sets by the light, which penetrates into the gaps between said neighboring troughs' sets;feeding pipes which ensure delivery of said microalgae suspension into said troughs;collecting troughs which serve for removal of said microalgae suspension from said troughs;a greenhouse construction, which serves for arrangement of said troughs, said optical elements, said collecting troughs and said feeding pipes in its internal space.

2. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein said troughs are arranged in each said set one above the other with a small inclination to the horizontal plane.

3. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein each said trough is constructed from a number of relatively short profiled units, each said profiled unit is provided with lateral shoulders and the adjacent sections of said profiled units are overlapped; each said set of said multi-level troughs is carried by a pair of vertical posts with circular grooves; ropes are tightened between said pair of said vertical posts in such a manner, that there is a couple of said tightened parallel ropes at a specific level, which are placed apart at a distance corresponding the width of said shoulders of said profiled units; each said couple of said ropes situated at a same level serves as a support for fastening said overlapped profiled units which form said troughs.

4. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein said profiled units are made preferably from a transparent polymer.

5. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein said profiled units are made preferably from a material with high reflecting characteristics of their external lower surface.

6. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 3, wherein the adjacent edges of said profiled units are joined by welding.

7. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 3, wherein the adjacent edges of said profiled units are provided with an internal or external flanging; in this case said adjacent edges are mutually joined with application of sealing gaskets.

8. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 3, wherein said profiled units are provided with recesses at their bottoms, said recesses ensure required average depth of the layer of the microalgae suspension in said troughs, which have a certain inclination as the result of the deflection of said ropes.

9. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein said profiled units are provided with transversal low partitions at their bottoms, said transversal low partitions ensure required average depth of the layer of the microalgae suspension in said troughs which have a certain inclination as the result of the deflection of said ropes.

10. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein each said trough is constructed from two parallel rods installed at the same level on a pair of vertical posts, said rods are mutually joined by a set of arc-wise connectors with convexity directed downward, and there is a flexible strip from a polymer film with the width, which is somewhat greater than the length of said arc-wise connectors; said flexible strip is installed on a couple of said rods in such a way that its lateral edges are fastened on said rods; said arc-wise connectors ensure recesses' formation on the bottom of the troughs and therefore—generation of sufficiently high average depth of microalgae suspension in said troughs.

11. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 1, wherein a multi-tubular element (or multi-tubular elements) is used instead of each set of said multi-level troughs, each said multi-tubular elements comprises plurality of parallel tubes from a transparent polymer; the ends of said tubes are joined with two headers; said headers are provided with an inlet connection and an outlet connection.

12. A photobioreactor intended for mass cultivation of microalgae as recited in claim 11, wherein said multi-tubular elements are provided with shoulders which serve for installation of said multi-tubular elements on said vertical posts.