KR101725974B1 - microalgae harvesting apparatus using paramagnetic nanoparticle and external magnetic field - Google Patents

Abstract

A large amount of microalgae (harvest) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field is disclosed. The large-scale microalgae (harvesting) collecting device comprises: a microalgae culture liquid storage tank for storing a microalgae culture medium in which microalgae are cultured; A magnetic particle supplying unit for supplying magnetic particles to the microalgae culture fluid flowing out from the microalgae culture broth; A method for recovering micro-algae from a micro-algae culture medium, comprising the steps of: collecting micro-algae-attached magnetic particles by electrostatic interaction using a magnetic force; A recovery unit; A separation solution storage tank for storing the magnetic particles having the microalgae attached thereto provided therein from the first collection unit in a separation solution contained therein and separating the magnetic particles and the microalgae; A second recovery unit for recovering the magnetic particles separated from the microalgae and recovering the microalgae in the separation solution storage tank; And a control unit for controlling operations of the magnetic particle supplying unit, the first collecting unit, and the second collecting unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a microalgae harvesting apparatus using paramagnetic nanoparticles and an external magnetic field,

The present invention relates to a microalgae recovery device, and more particularly, to a microalgae (harvest) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field capable of continuously recovering a large amount of microalgae from a microalgae culture.

Korea has no oil reserves and most depend on imports. The economy has been greatly affected by the supply and demand situation due to international oil price, climate change, political environment change, etc., and it is urgent to develop alternative energy technology and secure resources using domestic technology and capital. In order to prepare for high oil prices and climate change agreements, investment in renewable energy technologies such as energy efficiency technology and solar and wind power is expanding, but it is difficult to replace oil in transportation sector. The energy used in transport is 21% of total energy consumption, 98% of which is supplied by petroleum (as of 2006). Therefore, biodiesel is attracting attention as an alternative fuel for petroleum.

Biodiesel is defined as methyl or ethyl ester compounds of fatty acids produced from vegetable oils or animal fats. Compared to conventional diesel, biodiesel can reduce emissions of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, fine dust, hydrocarbons and toxic substances, making it suitable as an environmentally friendly vehicle fuel. In addition, carbon dioxide emitted from the combustion of biodiesel is absorbed and fixed by the plant's photosynthesis mechanism, so there is little net carbon dioxide emission, and it is receiving great attention as CO ₂ -neutral fuel worldwide.

Since the expansion of biodiesel in the domestic market is considered to be the most realistic countermeasure against the CO2 emission regulation introduced by the international community, the biodiesel pilot project was implemented in the Seoul metropolitan area and Jeollabuk-do from 2002 to 2006, Diesel supply expanded nationwide. In addition, we increased the volume of biodiesel purchased by refineries every year to ensure widespread use of biodiesel. Since 2010, BD5 (biodiesel less than 5% mixed diesel), which is a blend of 2% of biodiesel with diesel, is spreading through existing infrastructure and gas stations with an annual capacity of 400,000 kL. The domestic biodiesel market is estimated to amount to W600bn as of 2010, and to grow to about W800bn in 2012.

Biodiesel is used not only as a fuel but also as an intermediary for chemicals that replace pollutant petroleum products, and its application is rapidly expanding. Since biodiesel is used as a raw material for environmentally friendly biodegradable surfactants, synthetic lubricants and low toxic solvents, it is expected to have a growth potential as it is enforcing legal and institutional policies in advanced countries such as EU.

In addition, the biodiesel plant industry has industrial characteristics such as combined knowledge industry, venture enterprise type, next generation strategic industry, and international industry, and it is regarded as a technology-intensive high-tech enterprise and a promising industry with strong government policy commitment.

However, currently biodiesel is produced mainly from vegetable oils extracted from edible crops such as soybean oil and rapeseed (first-generation biofuels technology), criticizing that it raises the price of grains and increases food shortages in poor countries such as Africa and low- . It is also pointed out that a wide range of rainforests or forests are being developed to produce raw materials such as palm oil in response to the growing demand for biodiesel, which in turn promotes global warming. Furthermore, since most of the raw materials (soybean oil) of biodiesel are imported from overseas, supply and demand are likely to depend heavily on external changes similar to petroleum resources.

In order to solve these problems, the technology to utilize microalgae as a raw material instead of conventional edible oil or palm oil has received much attention as a 'next generation biodiesel technology'. Microalgae can be grown using water, carbon dioxide and sunlight, and they can be cultivated anywhere in wastelands, coasts, and oceans, and they do not compete with existing land crops in terms of land or space. In addition, microalgae accumulate large amounts of lipids (up to 70%) in vivo according to culture conditions, and oil (lipid) production per unit area is 50-100 times higher than conventional edible crops such as soybean, Is very high. From this, interest in biodiesel production technology based on microalgae, whose oil production per unit area is much higher than that of land plants, is increasing (Table 1).

Energy crop Oil production (L / ha) corn 172 Big head 446 Canola 1190 Jatropha 1892 coconut 2689 Palm 5950 Microalgae 58700

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms of a single cell and live in freshwater or seawater at a size of 3 to 30 μm. It absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, and contains oils and useful substances. The microalgae have the advantage that they have a very high growth rate compared with the land plants, can cultivate in a large amount at a high concentration, and can grow in an extreme environment.

The microalgae show high fuel productivity compared to existing crops because the available oil content accounts for 30-70% of the biomass. Microalgae do not compete with other crops in terms of land or space, and thus do not cause secondary environmental problems such as rising food resources and destroying forests. Therefore, biodiesel production technology using microalgae shows high productivity per unit area, so it can be said that it is suitable for domestic situation because there is no competition with food resources because it is easy to secure resources.

Micro-algae biodiesel production technology has many advantages such as carbon dioxide reduction, development of environmentally friendly fuel, and creation of new green industry, but it is still less economical than existing first generation biofuel technology. The production cost of biodiesel using soybean oil, rape oil, and palm oil is estimated at USD 0.5-1.0 per liter, while the production cost of microalgae biodiesel is estimated to be at least USD 2 per liter. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology that can improve the economical efficiency of microalgae biodiesel.

Micro algae biodiesel production technology consists of four processes: 1) microalgae cultivation, 2) harvest, 3) oil extraction, and 4) biodiesel conversion. The Arizona State University research team (2009) reported that the cost of biodiesel production was 42%, 22%, 20% and 16%, respectively. This indicates that not only microalgae cultivation but also harvesting is costly and development of economical harvesting technology is very important in terms of economy of microalgae biodiesel production technology.

Centrifugation, filtration, and flocculation techniques have been actively studied using microbial harvesting (collecting) technology.

Centrifugation technology is widely used for microalgae harvesting technology, but it takes a long time to process large capacity, high energy cost, and high equipment cost.

In the case of the filtration technique, the size is easily blocked by very small microalgae in micrometers (탆), and continuous operation is very difficult, and it is not easy to apply to large capacity (refer to FIG. 1).

Accordingly, the present invention proposes an apparatus capable of continuously recovering a large amount of microalgae in a manner different from conventional harvesting techniques.

Korean Patent No. 10-0888897 (2009.03.10)

The object of the present invention is to reduce the time required for harvesting a large amount of microalgae and to use the magnetic particles and the external magnetic field capable of lowering the energy consumption cost of equipment, etc., And it is an object of the present invention to provide a large-scale microalga (harvest) collecting apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a large-scale microalgae (harvesting) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field continuously driven without need for further processing at the time of harvesting microalgae.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for continuously recovering microalgae using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field, comprising: a microalgae culture fluid storage tank for storing a microalgae culture fluid in which microalgae are cultured; A magnetic particle supplying unit for supplying at least one magnetic particle into the microalgae culture fluid flowing out from the microalgae culture broth; The micro-algae-attached micro-algae-containing micro-algae culture medium is recovered by electrostatic interaction with the micro-algae-containing micro-algae by electromagnet or permanent magnet, and the micro-algae and the micro- A first recovering unit for recovering the charged particles; A separation solution storage tank for containing the magnetic particles with the microalgae provided from the first collecting unit in a separation solution (concentrate) accommodated therein to separate the magnetic particles and the microalgae; A second recovery unit for recovering each of the fine algae separated from the separation solution storage tank and the separated magnetic particles; And a control unit for controlling the driving of the magnetic particle supplying unit, the first recovering unit, and the second recovering unit.

The separation solution storage tank may further include a dehydration module that dehydrates the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles provided from the first recovery unit.

A "ㅗ" -shaped first flow path tube connected to the microalgae culture fluid reservoir, the magnetic particle supplying portion, and the first recovering portion; A second flow path connecting the first recovery unit and the separation solution storage tank; A third flow path connecting the separation solution storage tank and the second recovery unit; And a fourth flow pipe connected to one side of the first recovering unit and one side of the microalgae culture broth for re-supplying the microalgae culture liquid discharged from the first recovering unit to the microalgae culture broth. .

And a discharge tube for connecting the second recovering portion and the magnetic particle supplying portion to supply the magnetic particles collected from the second collecting portion to the magnetic particle supplying portion again.

The first flow pipe is a space in which micro-algae in the microalgae culture fluid flowing inside and the magnetic particles are electrostatically interacted to adhere thereto.

And each of the flow path tubes is provided with at least one flow control valve for controlling the flow rate.

The flow control valve may include a gate valve, a globe valve, a control valve, a check valve, a butterfly valve, a ball valve, a diaphragm, a diaphragm valve, and a safety valve.

The flow control valve may be electronically controlled or mechanically controlled according to a control signal of the control unit.

The first collecting unit may include: a first housing; A first magnet drum disposed in the first housing and rotating in a clockwise direction through a horizontal axis provided inside the first housing to attach the magnetic particles having the microalgae attached thereto; And a scraper disposed to have a slope with one side of the first magnet drum, the scraper collecting the magnetic particles with the microalgae attached thereto.

Wherein the first housing comprises: an inlet through which the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles and the microalgae culture liquid are introduced; A magnetic particle outlet for discharging the magnetic particles having the fine algae collected through the scraper; And a culture fluid outlet for discharging the microalgae culture fluid drawn into the inlet.

And the separation solution storage tank is a space for separating the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles into micro-algae and magnetic particles through the separation solution.

A second housing; A second magnet drum disposed in the second housing and rotating in a clockwise direction through a horizontal shaft provided therein to attach magnetic particles separated from the microalgae to a surface; And a scraper arranged to have a slope with one side of the second magnet drum and to recover the magnetic particles separated from the microalgae.

The second housing includes an inlet through which the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles and the microalgae culture liquid are introduced; A magnetic particle outlet for discharging the magnetic particles having the fine algae collected through the scraper; And a culture fluid outlet for discharging the microalgae culture fluid drawn into the inlet.

The magnetic particle supply part is characterized by containing magnetic particles coated with an amine compound, a chitosan compound or a nano clay on the surface.

The nano-clay is any one selected from Al-APTES, Ca-APTES, Mg-APTES and Mg-N3.

According to the large-scale microalgae (harvesting) recovery device using the magnetic particles and the external magnetic field according to the embodiment of the present invention, the microalgae can be recovered (+) to recover microalgae having a large amount of (-) charge in a large- The magnetic particles having a charge are added to the microalgae culture liquid to form magnetic particles having the microalgae attached thereon by using mutual coupling according to the polarity between the microalgae having the (-) charge and the magnetic particles having the (+) charge, The magnetic particles and the microalgae are separated through the culture solution containing the pH-adjusted culture liquid or the chemical additives, and then the magnetic particles are collectively collected through the second magnet drum provided in the second collecting unit It is possible to harvest automatically concentrated microalgae in large quantities according to collection boxes.

In addition, since the first collecting unit and the second collecting unit are manufactured in the same shape, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the magnetic particles separated in the second collecting portion can be supplied again, and can be used semi-permanently.

With this configuration, it is possible to shorten the time required for harvesting a large amount of microalgae, and also to lower the energy consumption cost of harvesting.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a continuous microalveal continuous recovery apparatus using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field which are continuously driven without need for further processing at the time of harvesting microalgae.

1 is an exemplary view showing microalgae contained in a microalgae culture fluid.
2 is a device diagram showing a continuous microalgeous continuous recovery apparatus using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a device diagram showing the first recovery unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a device diagram showing the second recovery unit shown in Fig.
5 is an illustration showing magnetic particles coated with an amine-group.
6 is a graph showing changes in desorption rate of Amine-BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ particles and microalgae according to pH.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a cationic chemical structure coated on the surface of magnetic particles.
8 is an example showing the chemical structure of anionic system coated on the surface of magnetic particles.
FIG. 9 is a photograph of BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ through cationic coating and an optical microscope showing the attachment state of microalgae. FIG.
10 is an optical microscope photograph showing the desorption state of BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ and microalgae through anionic coating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

Embodiments in accordance with the concepts of the present invention can make various changes and have various forms, so that specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification or application. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concepts of the present invention to the particular forms of disclosure, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between. Other expressions that describe the relationship between components, such as "between" and "between" or "neighboring to" and "directly adjacent to" should be interpreted as well.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, the terms "comprises ",or" having ", or the like, specify that there is a stated feature, number, step, operation, , Steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, as a matter of principle.

A detailed microalgae (harvest) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings disclosed below.

2 is a device diagram showing a continuous microalgeous continuous recovery apparatus using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a device diagram showing the first recovery unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

4 is a device diagram showing the second recovery unit shown in Fig.

5 is an illustration showing magnetic particles coated with an amine-group.

6 is a graph showing changes in desorption rate of Amine-BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ particles and microalgae according to pH.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a cationic chemical structure coated on the surface of magnetic particles.

8 is an example showing the chemical structure of anionic system coated on the surface of magnetic particles.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ through cationic coating and an optical microscope showing the attachment state of microalgae. FIG.

10 is an optical microscope photograph showing the desorption state of BaFe ₁₂ O ₁₉ and microalgae through anionic coating.

2, a large-scale microalgae collection apparatus 100 using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a microalgae culture fluid reservoir 110, a magnetic particle supply unit 120, A separation solution storage tank 150, a second recovery unit 150,

The micro-algae culture liquid reservoir 110, the magnetic particle supply unit 120, the first flow pipe L1 connected to the first collecting unit 130, the first recovering unit 130, A third flow pipe L3 for connecting the separation solution storage tank 140 and the second recovery unit 150 and a second flow pipe L3 for connecting the one side of the first recovery unit 130 and the third flow pipe L3, And a fourth flow pipe L4 connected to one side of the microalgae culture broth 110 to re-supply the microalgae culture liquid discharged from the first recovering unit 130 to the microalgae culture broth 110. [

A discharge tube T for connecting the second recovering unit 150 and the magnetic particle supplying unit 120 and supplying the magnetic particles collected from the second collecting unit 150 to the magnetic particle supplying unit 120, .

Each of the flow control valves V1, V2, V3, and V4 is provided with at least one or more flow control valves V1, V2, V3, and V4, The control valve may be a gate valve, a globe valve, a control valve, a check valve, a butterfly valve, a ball valve, a diaphragm a valve, and a safety valve.

Each of the flow control valves L1, L2, L3, and L4 may be electronically controlled or mechanically controlled according to the control signal of the controller 160.

More specifically, the microalgae culture broth 110 may be a space for culturing and storing the microalgae. The microalgae contained in the microalgae culture broth 110 include Botryococcus braunii, Cylindrotheca sp. Nitzschia sp. Schizochytrium sp. Chlorella sp, and other microalgae may be Anacystis nidulans, Ankistrodesmussp., Biddulpha aurita, Cetoseros, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella sp., Chlorella ellipsoidea, Chlorella emersonii, Chlorella spp.), Chlamydomonas applanata, Chaetoceros sp., Chlamydomonas applanata, Chlorella protothecoides, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Chlorella sorokiniana, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella minutissima, Chlorella keratolerae, Chlorella spp. Chlorococci littorale), Cyclotella cryptica, Dunaliella bardawil, Dunaliella salina, Such as Dunaliella tertiolecta, Dunaliella primolecta, Gymnodinum sp., Hymenomonas carterae, Isochrysis galbana, Isochrysia, Microorganisms such as Isochrysis sp., Microcystis aeruginosa, Micromonas pusilla, Monodussubterraneous, Nannochloris sp., Nanochloropys Nannochloropsis sp.), Nannochloropsis atomus, Nannochloropsis salina, Naviculapelliculosa, Nitzschia sp., Nitzsciaclosterium, ), Nitzscia palea, Oocystispolymorpha, Ourococcus sp., Oscillatoria rubescens, Flavobaruté, Such as Pavlova lutheri, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Pycnococcusprovasolii, Pyramimonas cordata, Spirulina platensis, Stephanos discus minuturus, Streptococcus spp., Stephanodiscus minutulus, Stichococcus sp., Synedra ulna, Scenedesmus obliquus, Selenastrum gracile, Skeletonoma Tetraselmis maculata, Tetraselmis sp., Tetraselmis suecica, Thalassiostra pseudomona, Tetraselmus spp., Tetraselmis spp., Tetraselmis spp., Tetraselmis spp. ), Anabaena sp., Calothrix sp., Chaemisiphon sp., Chroococcidiopsis sp., Cyanothece sp., Cylinder Such as Cylindrospermum sp., Dermocarpella sp., Fischerella sp., Gloeocapsa sp., Myxosarcina sp., Nostoc sp. , Oscillatoriasp., Phormidium corium, Pleurocapsa sp., Prochlorococcus sp., Pseudanabaena sp., Synechococcus sp. ), Synechocystis sp., Tolypothrix sp., Xenococcus sp., And the like.

The magnetic particle supplying unit 120 may be a unit for supplying the magnetic particles to the first flow pipe L1 in which the microalgae culture fluid moves to the first collecting unit 130. [

For reference, "magnetism" means the magnetic property represented by a material. All materials interact with the magnetic field, creating an attractive force or a repulsive force. The term "nanoparticle" also refers to a structure or material having a size of nanometers (nm). The size of a nanometer is the size of a micron meter (10-6) reduced to one thousandth, and when the size of a material is reduced to a nanometer level, it exhibits various and unusual physical, chemical, mechanical and electronic characteristics.

The nanoparticles generally have an average size of from about 1 nm to about 1000 nm, such as from about 1 nm to about 10 nm, from about 10 nm to about 50 nm, from about 50 nm to about 100 nm, from about 100 nm to about 250 nm nm, from about 250 nm to about 500 nm, from about 500 nm to about 750 nm, or from about 750 nm to about 1000 nm. The size of the magnetic particles of the present invention is preferably 10 nm to 10 mu m.

"Magnetic nano / microparticle" refers to a nanometer or micro-sized structure or material that is magnetic. The magnetic nanoparticles / microparticles can be prepared by a variety of methods including solution synthesis, co-precipitation, sol-gel process, high energy pulverization, hydrothermal synthesis, microemulsion synthesis, thermal decomposition, but is not limited to, by synthesis by spray pyrolysis or by sonochemical synthesis. When the size of the magnetic material is reduced to nanometers, each particle forms a magnetic single zone. The colloid solution of these particles is generated by the thermal fluctuation of each particle, whereby the direction of the magnetic dipole varies in an unspecified direction And the net magnetic force appearing as a result of orientation is represented as "0 ".

However, if a magnetic field larger than the internal thermal energy is applied from the outside, the magnetic dipoles of the particles are aligned in one direction and become a magnetic body.

Next, an example of the magnetic particles provided by the magnetic particle supply unit 120 is shown. In the magnetic particle supply unit 120, the magnetic particles may be magnetic particles coated with a flocculant so as to have a positive charge on the surface thereof.

For example, it may be an amine magnetic nano / microparticle in which an amine compound is covalently bonded. The magnetic iron oxide particles (Fe, Ni, Co), manganese, bismuth (Mn, Bi), and the like can be used without limitation, the particles having a diameter of 10 nm to 10 탆, more preferably 30 nm to 3 탆, , Or a metal oxide or an alloy oxide selected from the above metals.

The rare earth element (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) (Al, Ga, In, Ti), an alkaline earth metal element (Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra) and a platinum group element (Pt, Pd) ≪ / RTI >

Another example may be a chitosan magnetic particle in which a chitosan-based compound is covalently bonded.

Chitosan (poly [β- (1,4) -2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucan] is an enzyme that deacetylates the N-acetyl group of chitin, the main component of the crustacean shell, It is a biodegradable natural polymer substance of cation obtained.

Chitin derivatives, including chitosan, have good solubility in organic solvents and are easy to chemically deform and form, as well as being excellent in non-toxic, non-pollutant, biocompatible and biodegradable. Commercially available chitosan mainly has a degree of deacetylation of 60 to 90% and a mean degree of polymerization of 500 to 10,000.

Another example may be a magnetic particle with Nanoclay incorporated therein.

There are four types of nanoclay: Al-APTES, Ca-APTES, Mg-APTES and Mg-N3. A more detailed description is given by the nanoclays described in the method of harvesting oil containing microorganisms using nanoclays of application No. 10-2012-0028525.

Here, the magnetic particles are composed of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), gadolinium Or a metal oxide or an alloy oxide selected from the above metals or alloys thereof. The rare earth element (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) An alloy containing a zinc group element (Zn, Cd, Hg), an aluminum group element (Al, Ga, In, Tl), an alkaline earth metal element (Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra) and a platinum group element May also be used. The iron oxide nanoparticles may further include at least one selected from barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), gadolinium (Gd) and strontium have. (FeFe2O4, MnFe2O4) alloys in which iron is converted to another magnetic-related atom in iron oxide (Fe2O3 or Fe3O4). The magnetic nanoparticles of the present invention can be prepared by mixing nanoparticles of iron oxide (Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) or iron oxide (Fe2O3 or Fe3O4) and barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) (Gd), and strontium (Sr).

Next, the first collecting unit 130 collects the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles from the microalgae culture fluid that has passed through the first flow pipe L1 by using an external magnetic field (for example, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet) .

The first collecting unit 130 also functions to re-supply the microalgae culture fluid in which the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles have been recovered to the microalgae culture solution storage tank 110 through the fourth flow pipe L4.

More specifically, the first recovering unit 130 includes a first housing 131, a first magnet drum 132, and a scraper 133.

The first housing 131 includes an inlet 131a connected to the first flow pipe L1, a solution outlet 131c connected to the fourth flow pipe L4, and a magnetic particle outlet (131c).

The first magnet drum 132 is rotated through a horizontal axis 132a rotated clockwise through a rotation motor (not shown). In addition, since the permanent magnet or the electromagnet is coated on the surface, the magnetic particles attached with the fine algae fed from the first flow pipe L1 are pulled and separated from the microfluid flowing through the first flow pipe L1 Role.

Next, the scraper 133 is brought into contact with one side of the first magnet drum 132, and is arranged to have a slope. The scraper 133 functions to separate magnetic particles (for example, magnetic particles with microalgae attached thereto) attached to the surface of the first magnet drum 132 from the first magnet drum 132 in a scratch manner.

Subsequently, the separation solution storage tank 140 receives the magnetic particles having the microalgae attached thereto provided from the first collecting unit 130 through the second flow pipe L2 and separates the magnetic particles and the fine particles It may be a space for separating algae.

More specifically, the separation solution storage tank 140 may be a space for storing a separation solution for separating the magnetic particles and the microalgae, and the separation solution contained therein may be a solution in which the pH of the microalgae culture fluid is adjusted, It may be a solution obtained by adding an additive.

More specifically, the separation solution may be a culture solution in which the pH is increased by adding an alkaline aqueous solution such as NaOH, KOH, Ca (OH) ₂ , Mg (OH) ₂ or the like or a basic solution such as ammonia gas.

At this time, when the pH of the magnetic particles having the microalgae is increased, the electrostatic attraction between the coagulant coated on the surface of the magnetic particles and the microalgae cells is lost and separation occurs.

The pH should be adjusted to a range over which the zeta potential of the coagulant has a negative value, and when a basic solution is added, the pH is preferably about 11 to 13. When the pH is lower than 11, the charge of the flocculant may not disappear sufficiently, and when the pH is higher than 13, the separation effect is insignificant compared with the increase in the amount of the basic substance used.

The basic aqueous solution may be an aqueous alkali solution such as NaOH, KOH, Ca (OH) ₂ , Mg (OH) ₂ , or ammonia gas, but is not limited thereto.

Here, the magnetic particles introduced into the separation solution storage tank 140 are separated from the microalgae and supplied to the second recovery unit 150 together with the separation solution.

The second collecting unit 150 collects the magnetic particles (the magnetic particles separated from the microalgae) and the microalgae in the separation solution provided from the separation solution storage tank 140.

More specifically, the second recovery unit 150 includes a second housing 151, a second magnet drum 152, and a sproper 153.

The second housing 141 includes an inlet 151a connected to the third flow pipe L3 connected to the separation solution storage tank 140, a micro algae outlet 151b located at the lower end, and a magnetic particle outlet 151c.

The second magnet drum 152 is provided with a horizontal axis 152a rotated in a clockwise direction through a rotation motor (not shown), and is axially rotated through a horizontal axis 152a.

Further, the surface is coated with a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the microalgae provided from the separation solution storage tank 140 performs a function of attracting the separated magnetic particles to the surface.

Next, the scraper 153 is brought into contact with one side of the second magnet drum 152, and is arranged to have a slope. The scraper 153 functions to separate magnetic particles (for example, magnetic particles from which micro-algae are separated) attached to the surface of the second magnet drum 152 from the second magnet drum 152 through a scratch method.

Finally, the control unit 160 includes a magnetic particle supplying unit 120, a first collecting unit 130, a second collecting unit 150, flow control valves V1, V2, V3, (P). Since the operation of the control unit is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, the large-scale microalgae (harvesting) recovery device using the magnetic particles and the external magnetic field of the present invention is capable of recovering microalgae having a large amount of negative charges in a large-volume microalgae culture broth, By adding the magnetic particles into the microalgae culture fluid, magnetic particles having the microalgae attached thereto can be transported through the first collecting section by using mutual coupling according to the polarity between the microalgae having the (-) charge and the magnetic particles having the (+ After collecting collectively, the magnetic particles and the microalgae are separated through the culture solution containing the pH-adjusted culture liquid or the chemical additives, and collecting only the magnetic particles collectively through the second magnet drum provided in the second collecting unit Can automatically harvest the concentrated microalgae in a large amount.

In addition, since the first collecting unit 130 and the second collecting unit 150 are manufactured in the same form, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In addition, the magnetic particles separated by the second collecting unit 150 can be re-supplied and can be used semi-permanently.

The foregoing detailed description is illustrative of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention only, and that the invention may be used in various other combinations, modifications and environments. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein, the disclosure of which is equally applicable to the disclosure, and / or the skill or knowledge of the art.

The foregoing embodiments are intended to illustrate the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art that are intended to encompass other embodiments of the invention, Various changes are possible. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. It is also to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover such other embodiments.

110: microalgae culture liquid storage tank 120: magnetic particle supply unit
130: first recovering unit 131: first housing
131a: Inlet port 131b: Magnetic particle outlet
131c: outlet 132: first magnet drum
132a: horizontal axis 133: scraper
140: Separation solution storage tank 150: Second recovery unit
151: second housing 151a: inlet
151b: fine algae outlet 151c: magnetic particle outlet
152: second magnet drum 152a:
153: scraper 160:
L1: first flow path L2: second flow path
L3: third flow pipe L4: fourth flow pipe
T: Discharge tube V1, V2, V3, V4: Flow control valve

Claims (15)

delete delete delete delete A microalgae culture fluid reservoir containing a microalgae culture in which microalgae have been cultured;
A magnetic particle supplying unit for supplying at least one magnetic particle into the microalgae culture fluid flowing out from the microalgae culture broth;
The micro-algae-attached micro-algae-containing micro-algae culture medium is recovered by electrostatic interaction with the micro-algae-containing micro-algae by electromagnet or permanent magnet, and the micro-algae and the micro- A first recovering unit for recovering the charged particles;
A separation solution storage tank for containing the magnetic particles with the microalgae provided from the first collecting unit in a separation solution (concentrate) accommodated therein to separate the magnetic particles and the microalgae;
A dehydration module provided in the separation solution storage tank for drying / dehydrating the magnetic particles attached with the microalgae provided from the first collecting part;
A second recovery unit for recovering each of the fine algae separated from the separation solution storage tank and the separated magnetic particles;
A control unit for controlling the driving of the magnetic particle supplying unit, the first recovering unit, and the second recovering unit;
A discharge tube connecting the second recovery section and the magnetic particle supply section to re-supply the magnetic particles collected from the second recovery section to the magnetic particle supply section;
A "ㅗ" -shaped first flow path tube connected to the microalgae culture fluid reservoir, the magnetic particle supplying portion, and the first recovering portion;
A second flow path connecting the first recovery unit and the separation solution storage tank;
A third flow path connecting the separation solution storage tank and the second recovery unit; And
And a fourth flow pipe connected to one side of the first recovering unit and one side of the microalgae culture solution storage tank for re-supplying the microalgae culture solution discharged from the first recovering unit to the microalgae culture solution storage tank,
Wherein the first recovery unit comprises:
A first magnet drum disposed in the first housing and rotating in a clockwise direction through a horizontal axis provided in the first housing to adhere magnetic particles having the microalgae attached thereto to a surface of the first magnet drum, And a scraper of the first recovering unit arranged to have an inclination to recover the magnetic particles having the fine algae attached thereto,
Wherein the second recovery unit includes:
A second magnet drum disposed in the second housing and attached to the surface of the magnetic particles separated from the microalgae in a clockwise direction through a horizontal shaft provided in the second housing, And a scraper of the second recovering unit arranged to have an inclination and to recover the magnetic particles separated from the fine algae;
Wherein the first flow path tube comprises:
Characterized in that the micro-algae in the micro-algae culture fluid flowing in the micro-algae culture fluid and the magnetic particles are electrostatically interfaced with each other to adhere to the micro-algae culture fluid.
6. The method of claim 5,
In each of the flow pipes,
(Harvesting) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field, characterized in that at least one flow control valve for controlling the flow rate is provided.
The method according to claim 6,
The flow control valve includes:
A gate valve, a globe valve, a control valve, a check valve, a butterfly valve, a ball valve, a diaphragm valve valve, And a safety valve. The apparatus for recovering a large amount of microalgae (harvesting) using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field.
8. The method of claim 7,
The flow control valve includes:
Wherein the magnetic particles and the magnetic field are controlled electronically or mechanically according to the control signal of the control unit.
delete 6. The method of claim 5,
The first housing includes:
An inlet through which the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles and the microalgae culture liquid are introduced;
A magnetic particle outlet for discharging the magnetic particles with the microalgae collected through the scrapers of the first collecting portion; And
And a culture liquid outlet for discharging the microalgae culture fluid drawn into the inlet. The apparatus for collecting large amounts of microalgae (harvest) using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field.
6. The method of claim 5,
The separation solution reservoir may contain,
And a space for separating the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles into micro-algae and magnetic particles through a separation solution, wherein the micro-algae are recovered from the micro-algae.
delete 6. The method of claim 5,
The second housing includes:
An inlet through which the micro-algae-attached magnetic particles and the microalgae culture liquid are introduced;
A magnetic particle outlet for discharging the magnetic particles having the microalgae collected through the scrapers of the second collecting part; And
And a culture liquid outlet for discharging the microalgae culture fluid drawn into the inlet. The apparatus for collecting large amounts of microalgae (harvest) using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field.
6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the magnetic particle supply unit comprises:
Characterized in that magnetic particles coated with an amine compound, a chitosan compound or a nano clay are contained on the surface, and a large amount of microalgae (harvest) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field.
15. The method of claim 14,
The nano-
(Al) -APTES, Ca-APTES, Mg-APTES, and Mg-N3, wherein a large amount of microalgae (harvest) recovery device using magnetic particles and an external magnetic field is used.

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