GB2438155A

GB2438155A - Apparatus for farming algae

Info

Publication number: GB2438155A
Application number: GB0609746A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Frank Dennis Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-17
Filing date: 2006-05-17
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Also published as: GB0609746D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a chain of sealed compartments 2-9 adapted to float at the surface of the sea. Each compartment has a planar base 2A, 3A etc. of reflective material and a cover 2B, 3B etc. of translucent material. Each compartment has a first 2C etc. and second 2D etc. water ports and a gas exit port 2E etc. Gas enrichment tanks 10 having a one way inlet 21 connected to the first water port and a one-way outlet 22 are adapted to dissolve gas in the water. The tanks also comprise an algae extraction port 27 and a water inlet port 28. In use each compartment is filled with water and algae and wave motion induces a pressure differential in adjacent compartments transferring water through the gas enrichment tanks. Algae is encouraged to grow through direct sunlight and sunlight reflected from the base and from the dissolved gas.

Description

Title: Apparatus for Farming Algae The present invention relates to an

apparatus for farming algae.

It is known to collect algae and use it as a fuel. Collecting and growing algae however has hitherto only been done in small quantities.

The present invention seeks to provide and apparatus which will farm algae in quantity and make it easily collectable.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for farming algae comprising: a) a linear chain of sealed compartments adapted to float at the surface of the sea following the wave motion in the sea, each compartment having a generally planar base of reflective material and a cover of translucent material, said cover being spaced from the base by side walls, each compartment being filled in use with water and algae, b) a first and second water port for each chamber, c) a gas exit port for each chamber, d) a link member to connect one end of the chain to the other end for the passage of water therethrough, e) a gas enrichment tank having an one-way inlet connected to the first water port of one chamber and an one-way outlet connected to the second water port of an adjacent chamber, said gas enrichment tank being adapted to dissolve gas in water in the tank and being connectable to a supply of gas, an algae extraction port to remove algae in water, and g) a water inlet port to replace removed algae in water, in use said linear chain of sealed compartments being aligned generally into the direction of the waves in the sea whereby said chain of compartments follows the wave motion in the sea, said wave motion inducing a pressure differential in adjacent compartments thereby transferring water from one chamber to an adjacent chamber through the gas enrichment tank and algae is encouraged to grow in each compartment with growth enhanced from direct sunlight and sunlight reflected by the compartment base and from dissolved gas.

Preferably the link member is an apparatus as defined above providing two linear chains of sealed compartments in side by side relationship.

Preferably the algae extraction port and water inlet port is provided in said gas enrichment tank.

Preferably the gas enrichment tank includes a porcelain diffuser connectable to a gas supply to dissolve gas in water. Preferably the gas enrichment tank is connectable to a supply of carbon dioxide and oxygen. * 3

Preferably pressure release valves connect adjacent compartments.

Preferably numerous apparatus of the invention are interconnected in side by side and/or end on relationship to provide an array of apparatus.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an array of apparatus, Figure 2 shows a cross section view of a gas enrichment tank, and Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus in a wave form.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an apparatus for farming algae 1.

Apparatus 1 has a first linear chain of four rectangular sealed compartmçnts 2,3,4,5 adapted to float at the surface of the sea following the wave motion in the sea. Each compartment has a generally planar base 2A,3A,4A,5A of reflective material and a cover 2B,3B,4B,5B of translucent material. Each cover being spaced from the base by translucent side walls. Each compartment is filled in use with sea water and algae. Compartments 2,3,4,5 may be made of flexible plastics material.

Compartment 2 has a first water port 2C and second water 2D. Similarly compartments 3,4,5 have first water ports 3C,4C,5C and second water ports 3D,4D,5D. A gas exit port 2E,3E,4E,5E is provided for each chamber.

A link member in the form of a second linear chain of four rectangular sealed compartments 6,7,8,9 (identical to compartments 2,3,4,5) is provided to connect chamber 5 to chamber 2 for the passage of water therethrough.

Compartments 6,7,8,9 again are adapted to float at the surface of the sea following the wave motion in the sea. Each compartment has a generally planar base 6A,7A,8A,9A of reflective material and a cover 6B,7B,8B,9B of translucent material, first water ports 6C,7C,8C,9C, second water ports 6D,7D,8D,9D, and gas exit ports 6E,7E,8E,9E.

Gas enrichment tanks 1OA,1OB,IOC,1OD,IOE,IOF,lOG,1OH have an one-way inlet connected to the first water port of one chamber and an one-way outlet connected to the second water port of an adjacent chamber. Each gas enrichment tank is adapted to dissolve gas such as carbon dioxide and oxygen in water in the tank from gas supplies I IA,! LB as described more fully below (connection of tanks IOA,IOB,IOC,1OD,1OE,IOF,IOG,IOH to gas supplies 1 1A,IIB not shown).

Tanks I OA, I OB, I OC, 1 OD, I OE, I OF, I OG, I OH include an algae extraction port to remove algae in water, and a water inlet port to replace removed algae in water as described more fully below.

In use the linear chain of sealed compartments being aligned generally into the direction of the waves in the sea as shown by the two large arrows whereby said chain of compartments follows the wave motion in the sea. The wave motion induces a pressure differential in adjacent compartments thereby transferring water from one chamber to an adjacent chamber through the gas enrichment tank and algae is encourage to grow in each compartment with growth enhanced from direct sunlight and sunlight reflected by the compartment base and from dissolved gas. The water in the compartments thus moves from compartment 2 to 9 and back into 2. Whilst this occurs, algae in the tanks is removed for use and replaced by fresh water.

Preferably one-way pressure release valves 1 2A 1 2B, I 2C, I 2D, I 2E, I 2F, I 2G, I 2H connect adjacent compartments to relieve excess preferential pressure differences between compartments in excess of that accommodated by the gas enrichment tanks.

In use, the algae when exposed to sunlight will photosynthesise and give off oxygen as a gas which is vented though gas vents 2E,3E,4E,5E,6E,7E,8E,9E which can be fed back to gas supply II B. In this respect carbon dioxide is dissolved in the water by the gas enrichment tanks-, during daylight and oxygen dissolved in the water during night time to keep algae alive.

In practice it is envisaged that an array is formed by apparatus connected in side by side and/or end on relationship to create a huge array of many hundred square metres.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is' shown a section view of a gas enrichment tank 10.

Tank 10 has a cylindrical tank body 20, an one-way inlet valve 21 connectable to a compartment outlet port, and an one-way outlet valve 22 connectable to a compartment inlet port. Under normal circumstances water with algae from one, compartment enters inlet valve 21 into an enrichment chamber 23 where gas such as carbon dioxide or oxygen (depending on whether it is day or night) from a porcelain diffuser 24 is dissolved in the water. Diffuser 24 is fed gas from a gas control valve 25. Excess gas not dissolved is extracted through gas outlet port 26 and returned through gas control valve 25 to the gas supply, e.g. tank 1 lÀ or 1 lB.

Gas enriched water with algae flows Out of tank chamber 23 through one-way outlet valve 22 into the inlet port of an adjacent compartment to the compartment connected to the one-way inlet valve 21.

From time to time, water with algae can be removed from the apparatus through harvest pipe 27 to extract the algae, and fresh sea water can replace the water and algae removed through water replacement pipe 28.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is a schematic view of chambers 2,3,4 and 5 floating at the surface of the sea following the wave motion in the sea. At any one moment the wave motion will induce higher pressure in the compartments 3 and 5, and lower pressure in the compartments 2 and 4. This pressure differential causes flow of water from one compartment, through the one-way valves in a gas enrichment tank, to another adjacent compartment.

Algae farmed by the apparatus of the invention may be used to create a fuel. Carbon dioxide created by burning the fuel may be collected and fed back into tank I 1A.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the side walls between compartments 2,9 and 5,6, (and the linking enrichment tanks and pressure relief valves between these compartments) may be omitted as little or no pressure difference would exist between adjacent compartments lying normal to the direction of the waves.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims According to the present invention there is provided an

apparatus for farming algae comprising: 1) a linear chain of sealed compartments adapted to float at the surface of the sea following the wave motion in the sea, each compartment having a generally planar base of reflective material and a cover of translucent material, said covcr being spaced from the base by side walls, each compartment being filled in use with water and algae, 2) a first and second water port for each chamber, 3) a gas exit port for each chamber, 4) a link member to connect one end of the chain to the other end for the passage of water therethrough, 5) a gas enrichment tank having an one-way inlet connected to the first water port of one chamber and an one-way outlet connected to the second water port of an adjacent chamber, said gas enrichment tank being adapted to dissolve gas in water in the tank and being connectable to a supply of gas, 6) an algae extraction port to remove algae in water, and 7) a water inlet port to replace removed algae in water, * ,* * I S a... a S a. * S * IIS

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