Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
  • C12M21/02—Photobioreactors
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M25/00—Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings
  • C12M25/02—Membranes; Filters
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M27/00—Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel
  • C12M27/14—Rotation or movement of the cells support, e.g. rotated hollow fibers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N1/00—Microorganisms, e.g. protozoa; Compositions thereof; Processes of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereof; Processes of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganism; Culture media therefor
  • C12N1/12—Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for cultivating algae in water.
• the cultivation of algae in water is per se known and is performed in different ways.
• Algae are for instance cultivated in open ponds, so-called raceways, in which the water with the algae present therein is circulated using paddle wheels.
• the algae can also be cultivated in a tube system, wherein the algae are circulated with water in the tubes.
• the algae are exposed here to (sun)light and C0 2 , for instance to air containing C0 2 , and grow through the process of photosynthesis.
• the cultivated algae comprise diverse substances such as oil, proteins, starch and pigments, which substances can be extracted therefrom by for instance pressing the algae.
• the substances can then be further processed and applied in the production of for instance biofuel, (cattle) feed and cosmetics.
• a drawback of the above described known devices for cu ltivating algae in water is that circulating the water and the algae present therein requires a relatively large amount of energy.
• the device for cultivating algae in water comprises for this purpose a container for containing water and a carrier for carrying the algae, the carrier being disposed displaceably in the container.
• the algae are arranged on a carrier and the carrier is displaced in the water, the water itself need not be displaced. Displacement of the carrier in the water requires less energy than displacement of the water, whereby algae can be cultivated efficiently in water using the device according to the invention.
• the water can be fresh water and salt water.
• the algae on the carrier are exposed to (sun)light and CO 2 , for instance to air containing CO 2 , during displacement in the container and grow through the process of photosynthesis. They produce for instance oils, proteins, starch and pigments here, which can be extracted from the algae.
• the carrier according to the invention is particularly configured to transport the algae in the container during growth of the algae.
• Such a carrier according to the invention is distinguished from a conveyor belt as for instance shown in US 2010/0144017 Al, which is intended solely for the purpose of harvesting the algae.
• the container can be any suitable container for containing water.
• the container can for instance be the above described open pond or tube system.
• the container can also be an aquarium, which aquarium comprises at least one transparent wall for the passage of (sun)light, for instance a wall of glass or plastic.
• the carrier is a film.
• a film is a flexible material which can be displaced easily in the water and to which the algae can attach themselves.
• the film is for instance manufactured from a plastic, for instance PVC, acryl, polyester or the like.
• the carrier in particular the film, has in an embodiment no through-holes or openings through which the algae can be pressed.
• the carrier therefore has an uninterrupted surface in this embodiment.
• a surface of the carrier for instance the film, is hydrophilic or comprises a hydrophilic layer such that the algae attach thereto during use.
• the carrier particularly comprises a non-active superhydrophilic top layer.
• superhydrophilic top layer provides the advantage that the algae attach well thereto.
• the advantage of a non-active top layer is that such a top layer is not harmful to the algae attaching thereto.
• the (super)hydrophilic surface or the (super)hydrophilic layer can be (super)hydrophilic owing to a suitable choice of material for the film or layer.
• the one surface of the carrier for instance the film, is provided with a surface structure suitable for attachment of the algae.
• the dimensions of the elements forming the surface structure for instance protrusions or peaks, for instance lie between several microns and several hundred microns.
• the hydrophilic surface or the hydrophilic layer has a contact angle with water smaller than 90°, preferably smaller than 45°, more preferably smaller than 10°.
• a surface or layer with a contact angle smaller than 90° is a hydrophilic surface or a hydrophilic layer
• a surface with a contact angle smaller than 10° is a superhydrophilic surface or a superhydrophilic layer.
• algae which need not necessarily grow on a carrier can also attach thereto.
• the carrier or film can comprise substances for attracting algae.
• substances can for instance give off scents which attract algae.
• the algae will hereby be attracted to the carrier or film and the algae will attach thereto.
• the other surface of the carrier is hydrophobic or comprises a hydrophobic layer such that no algae attach thereto during use.
• a carrier or film provides the advantage that the algae do attach to the one surface but not to the other surface, so that the carrier can be disposed such that only the one surface on which the algae grow is illuminated.
• the carrier can for instance be disposed such that the one surface is directed toward the sun or another light source.
• the carrier can optionally be displaced in accordance with the movement of the sun.
• the hydrophobic surface or the hydrophobic layer can be hydrophobic owing to a suitable choice of material for the film or layer.
• the hydrophobic layer is for instance manufactured from silicon dioxide.
• the other surface of the carrier for instance the film, is provided with a surface structure to which the algae do not attach.
• the hydrophobic surface or the hydrophobic layer has a contact angle with the water greater than 90°, preferably greater than 135°, more preferably greater than 170°.
• a surface or layer with a contact angle greater than 90° is a hydrophobic surface
• a surface or layer with a contact angle greater than 170° is a superhydrophobic surface or layer. Because of the large contact angle the algae do not attach to the surface of the film.
• the carrier for instance the film, is transparent and has on the side of the other surface a mirror layer directed toward the one surface.
• Such a carrier or film provides the advantage that the (sun)light is transported through the transparent carrier or film and the algae attached thereto and is then reflected back by the mirror layer.
• the (sun)light is in this way utilized efficiently in order to illuminate the algae twice; once directly and once following reflection on the mirror layer.
• Such a carrier is particularly suitable for countries with relatively little sunlight or relatively low sunlight intensity.
• such a carrier provides the advantage that the intensity of the emitted light can be set relatively low, whereby energy can be saved.
• the device according to the invention can comprise a lens di sposed in front of the one surface of the carrier.
• the lens can for instance be a Fresnel lens. Focussing the (sun)light using the (Fresnel) lens increases the amount of energy per unit area on the algae.
• the carrier is displaced during use such that a part of the carrier at a time extends above the water level in the container such that the part is exposed to air.
• the part of the carrier is in this way exposed in each case to the air containing CO 2 .
• the part is a constantly or continuously changing part of the carrier so that a different part of the carrier is exposed each time to the air.
• the air to which the part of the carrier is exposed can be filtered air so that the living environment of the algae is a substantially mono-sterile climate.
• a mono-sterile climate provides the advantage that by means of UNA manipulation the algae can be formed without an immune system. More energy can hereby be expended on the development and growth of the algae, which energy would otherwise be used by the immune system.
• the device comprises removing means disposed close to the part of the carrier for the purpose of removing some of the algae from the part of the carrier.
• the removed algae can then be further processed for the purpose of extracting oils, proteins, starch and/or pigments from the algae.
• the algae can also be processed into for instance cattle feed.
• the algae can for instance be pressed following removal. Another part of the algae is not removed from the part of the carrier, so that this other part can multiply again.
• the removing means for instance comprise a scraper device which scrapes a layer of algae at a time from the algae on the part of the carrier.
• the device alternatively or additionally comprises pressing means disposed close to the part of the carrier for the purpose of pressing some of the algae present on the part of the carrier.
• the device further comprises collecting means for collecting the oil pressed from the algae.
• the pressing means comprise for instance an assembly of mutually co- acting rollers between which the carrier is guided for the purpose of pressing the algae present thereon.
• the carrier or film has no through-holes or openings, the algae are not pressed through the carrier or film, the remnants instead remaining behind on the carrier or film.
• the carrier is disposed round two rotating rollers arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the one surface is disposed on a side of the carrier remote from the rollers.
• the carrier or film is rotated round the two rollers by the rotating rollers so that the carrier can be displaced in simple manner in the water.
• One of the two rollers is for instance disposed at least partially above the water level in the container, wherein the part of the carrier extends round the one roller. In this way the part of the carrier which extends round the part of the roller extending above the water level is in each case exposed to air.
• the invention further relates to a method for cultivating algae in water, comprising the steps of:
• algae can be cultivated efficiently in water because relatively little energy is required to displace the carrier in the water.
• the method preferably comprises the step of:
• the removed algae can be further processed as described above.
• the method preferably comprises the step of:
• the invention further relates to a carrier for carrying algae.
• the carrier is a film.
• a surface of the carrier is hydrophilic or comprises a hydrophilic layer such that the algae attach thereto during use.
• the one surface of the carrier is provided with a surface structure suitable for attachment of the algae.
• the surface structure can have a number of protrusions, in particular peaks.
• the contact angle between the water in the container and the protrusions or peaks is for instance smaller than 90°, preferably smaller than 45°, more preferably smaller than 10°.
• the other surface of the carrier is hydrophobic or comprises a hydrophobic layer such that no algae attach thereto during use.
• the carrier is transparent and has on the side of the other surface a mirror layer directed toward the one surface.
• Figure 1 shows a schematic, vertical cross-section of the device according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows the carrier of the device of figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 shows a surface of the carrier of figure 2 in detail
• Figure 4 shows the other surface of the carrier of figure 2 in detail
• Figure 5 shows a schematic, vertical cross-section of a part of a device according to a second embodiment of the device.
• Figure 6 shows a schematic, horizontal longitudinal section of the device of figure 5.
• Figure 1 shows a device 1 for cultivating algae in water.
• Device 1 comprises a glass aquarium 2 filled with water 3.
• Water 3 can be fresh water as well as salt water.
• Device 1 further comprises two rotating rollers 4, 5 disposed at a distance from each other and around which a film 6 is arranged.
• Film 6 is a flexible plastic film.
• Algae 7 are attached to a side of film 6 remote from rollers 4, 5, see also figure 2.
• This side of film 6 is hydrophilic or comprises a hydrophilic layer so that algae 7 attach well thereto, see also figure 3.
• the side of film 6 directed toward rollers 4, 5 is in contrast hydrophobic or comprises a hydrophobic layer so that the algae do not attach to this side of film 6.
• FIG. 1 further shows that one roller 5 is disposed above the water level.
• a part 10 of film 6 is hereby always above the water level, wherein this part 10 is exposed to air containing C0 2 .
• the air containing CO2 can optionally be filtered air.
• the device can comprise a filter for this purpose.
• the aquarium is in that case disposed for instance in a closed environment, or an air container for containing filtered air can for instance be disposed round roller 5 and connecting to aquarium 2.
• the closed system or the air container ensures that the algae are not exposed to outside air but only to filtered air.
• the algae are then situated in a mono-sterile climate.
• the algae can in this case be DNA-manipulated algae without immune system so that no energy is used by the immune system, and this energy can conversely be used for the development and growth of the algae. Relatively more oil and/or other substances can hereby be extracted from the algae. Because film 6 rotates round rollers 4, 5, a different part 10 of film 6 at a time is exposed to the air. Use can optionally also be made of another gas containing CO2 or pure CO2 instead of air, although in practice the exposure is to air.
• a lens 1 1 Disposed in front of the side of film 6 directed toward light 9 is a lens 1 1 for focussing the light 9 emitted by the light source on film 6.
• C0 2 to the algae and supplying energy to the algae in the form of (sun)light 9 the algae grow through the process of photosynthesis.
• 3 ⁇ 4 is formed here.
• the algae multiply in particular.
• the multiplication time differs per type of algae but lies for instance between several hours and several days, in addition to the CO2 and the (sun)light, nutrients and minerals can be added to water 3.
• a scraper 12 Disposed close to the roller 5 disposed above the water level is a scraper 12 which scrapes a layer of algae 7 at a time from film 6.
• the algae scraped from film 6 are for instance discharged using a discharge device (not shown).
• the scraped-off algae can for instance be pressed for the purpose of extracting oil therefrom.
• the algae remaining behind on film 6 will once again multiply during the rotation through the water in aquarium 2 and be partially scraped off when they again pass scraper 12.
• the algae from which oil can for instance be extracted are in this way produced substantially continuously.
• Aquarium 2 preferably has a relatively long length and height and a relatively small width, whereby the surface area of film 6 to which the algae attach is relatively large in relation to the overall dimensions of aquarium 2.
• a relatively large number of algae can hereby grow on film 6.
• a number of smaller aquariums 2 is preferably provided instead of one large aquarium 2. In this way only one aquarium need be restored in the case an aquarium 2 is contaminated, for instance by cleaning the aquarium or by replacing the film with algae and/or the water, and the other aquariums 2 can continue to function. Less water and/or film with algae hereby need be replaced when an aquarium is contaminated than would be the case with one large aquarium.
• Figure 2 shows film 6 in detail. This figure 2 shows that film 6 is a transparent film so that light beams 9 from the light source are transported therethrough. A mirror layer 13 which reflects light beams 9 is disposed on the side of film 6 remote from algae 7. Light beam 9 hereby illuminates the algae 7 twice; once directly and once after being reflected via mirror layer 13.
• Figure 3 shows the surface structure of the surface of film 6 to which algae 7 are attached.
• the surface structure comprises a number of peaks 14.
• the contact angle between water 3 and peaks 14 is smaller than 90°, preferably smaller than 45°, more preferably smaller than 10°.
• (super)hydrophilic surface of film 6 to which algae 7 attach can be a layer arranged on film 6, or form part thereof.
• the surface of film 6 to which algae 7 attach is non-active.
• Figure 4 shows the surface structure of the surface of film 6 to which algae 7 on the contrary do not attach.
• the surface structure comprises a number of peaks 15.
• the contact angle between water 3 and peaks 14 is greater than 90°, preferably greater than 135°, more preferably greater than 170°. Because of the large contact angle the algae 7 do not attach to the surface of film 6.
• the (super)hydrophobic surface of film 6 to which algae 7 do not attach can be a layer arranged on film 6, or form part thereof.
• Figures 5 and 6 show that a pressing device can be provided instead of a scraper 12.
• the pressing device comprises a roller 16 disposed adjacently of roller 5. Film 6 is guided through the pair of rollers 5, 16 and the oil is pressed here out of the algae. Roller 16 rotates here in an opposite direction to roller 5.
• the rotation speed of the two rollers 5, 16 can differ so that the algae can be pressed in simple manner.
• the oil 17 is collected in a space bounded in longitudinal direction by the two rollers 5, 16.
• Figure 6 shows that rollers 5, 16 are disposed at a small angle 21 relative to the horizontal 20 so that the oil 17 is displaced in an obliquely downward direction 19 and is collected at an end zone of rollers 5, 16 in a container 18.
• This pressing device presses the algae 7 present on film 6 but does not remove them therefrom. Minerals and nutrients present in the pressed algae in this way remain behind on film 6, whereby fewer minerals and nutrients need be added to aquarium 2. It is noted that for the sake of simplicity only an upper end zone of the device is shown in figures 5 and 6, in particular only the two rollers 5, 16 with the film 6 guided therebetween. Reference is made to figure 1 for the other components which are not shown.

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Citations (6)

• 2012
  • 2012-11-29 NL NL2009905A patent/NL2009905C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2013
  • 2013-11-29 WO PCT/IB2013/060497 patent/WO2014083539A1/en active Application Filing

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