WO2015001530A2 - Installation de photobioréacteur pour cultiver des micro-organismes photosynthétiques, des cultures mixtes de micro-organismes photosynthétiques et non photosynthétiques et/ou de cellules végétales - Google Patents

Installation de photobioréacteur pour cultiver des micro-organismes photosynthétiques, des cultures mixtes de micro-organismes photosynthétiques et non photosynthétiques et/ou de cellules végétales Download PDF

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WO2015001530A2
WO2015001530A2 PCT/IB2014/062869 IB2014062869W WO2015001530A2 WO 2015001530 A2 WO2015001530 A2 WO 2015001530A2 IB 2014062869 W IB2014062869 W IB 2014062869W WO 2015001530 A2 WO2015001530 A2 WO 2015001530A2
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photobioreactors
lifting
photobioreactor
wire
wires
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PCT/IB2014/062869
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English (en)
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WO2015001530A3 (fr
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Francesco CAMPOSTRINI
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Campostrini Francesco
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    • 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
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
    • C12M23/14—Bags
    • 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
    • C12M27/16—Vibrating; Shaking; Tilting

Definitions

  • PHOTOBIOREACTOR PLANT FOR CULTIVATING PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROORGANISMS, MIXED CULTURES OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC AND NON- PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROORGANISMS AND/OR PLANT CELLS
  • the present disclosure relates in general to a cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic microorganisms and/or plant cells.
  • the present disclosure is based on a recognition by the inventor of the present disclosure that research efforts in this sector are focused mainly on two objectives: (i) the development and introduction of increasingly more efficient culture systems and plants able to make optimum use of the light energy and the nutrients available, in order to produce biomass in large quantities and of high quality (without contaminants, with a high nutritional value or with a high energy value); (ii) attempts to achieve a compromise between culture systems and plants which are highly efficient, but have high installation and management costs, and culture systems which are less efficient, but more affordable in terms of energy and the costs for installation, management and maintenance.
  • versatility is understood as meaning the possibility of varying and adapting the geometrical configuration of the plant depending on the specific needs arising, such as the surface area and spaces available, or variable environmental conditions, such as the temperature and intensity of the incident light energy.
  • scaling instead, is understood as meaning the possibility of increasing or reducing, as required, the dimensions of the plants, in particular the surface area exposed to light radiation, depending on the needs and the availability of economic resources and materials including the surface area and volumes.
  • a modular plant in fact, consists of basic units, which are perfectly identical and able to function autonomously and which are replicated several times until the desired dimensions are obtained.
  • the upwards scalability of a modular photobioreactor therefore is achieved by adding single basic units or modules (Janssen M., Tramper J., Mur L.R., Wijffels RH., 2003. Enclosed outdoor photobioreactors: light regime, photosynthetic efficiency, scale-up, and future prospects. In Biotechnol Bioeng 81 : 193-210).
  • open pond a system that consists of circular tanks
  • raceway a system that consists of annular trenches.
  • the closed systems are characterized by the fact that the liquid culture is enclosed inside a plant with no or with few points of contact with the outside, which may in any case be protected by filters, porous membranes or baffles, compensation chambers, or the like. Therefore, unlike the open systems, which historically were the first plants to be developed for the cultivation of photosynthetic organisms, all the closed systems allow the contamination levels to be kept under control and the process parameters, such as the concentration of nutrients, the pH, and the temperature, to be managed more efficiently.
  • the element which distinguishes all the closed systems is the light collector, which may be a solar collector in the case of plants installed in the open air, or an artificial light collector in the case of systems which are artificially illuminated.
  • the light collector owing to its nature, must be able isolate the culture from the external environment and simultaneously allow the transmission of the photosynthetically active radiation, abbreviated "PAR", to the photosynthetic organisms which are present in the culture liquid.
  • PAR photosynthetically active radiation
  • the closed systems may be divided into different types, depending on the criterion used to distinguish them.
  • classifications based mainly on the form of the collector and its method of mixing the liquid culture are found.
  • the collector form mainly three types may be identified: column photobioreactors, tubular (horizontal tubular, vertical tubular, helical tubular) photobioreactors and panel photobioreactors.
  • the mixing modes the following types are indicated: mixing with vanes, recirculation with peristaltic pumps, and the bubbling and airlift methods.
  • the bubbling and airlift mixing methods consist in the introduction of gas into the photobioreactor (dispersed bubbles in the case of bubbling, and bubbles with the same diameter as that of the tube in the case of airlift mixing) and they therefore allow continuous stirring of the culture to be combined with transfer of gas to the culture liquid.
  • a recently patented photobioreactor could be defined as being of the type with a plastic vertical panel with airlift mixing, except that the mixing is assisted by a particular design of the plastic material, consisting of structures which cause the liquid to perform a swirling movement (patents EP 1169428B1 and EP1326959B1).
  • a further evolution of the vertical panel is provided by the Solix Biofuels system which consists of vertical plastic panels immersed in a pond filled with water which supports the panels (Morweiser M., Kruse O., Hankamer B., Posten C, 2010. Developments and perspectives of photobioreactors for biofuel production.
  • Solix Biofuels and Proviron systems are at the forefront of innovation in the photobioreactor sector. According to the declaration of the manufacturers, both the systems allow the energy management costs to be reduced significantly, but they both require large amounts of water and, in the case of the Solix Biofuels system, also major infrastructures such as a dedicated pond. (Morweiser M., Kruse O., Hankamer B., Posten C, 2010. Developments and perspectives of photobioreactors for biofuel production. In Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 87: 1291-1301). However, the yields, which have not yet been declared, constitute an unknown factor compared to tried-and-tested systems and there is also the prospect that management of contamination of the water used as a support for the panels requires special attention and may complicate the ordinary management of the plant.
  • Tubular photobioreactors on the other hand, although they ensure yields which are typically less than those of panel photobioreactors, are considered to be more suitable for the large-scale production of photosynthetic organisms (Eriksen NT., 2008. The technology of microalgal culturing. In Biotechnol Lett 30: 1525-1536.).
  • Tubular photobioreactors typically, but not always, are characterized in that they have a light collector consisting of rigid glass tubes which are transparent to PAR or are made of rigid plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or plexiglass and which have variable dimensions and are positioned in different ways: alongside each other, extending above one another, or alongside each other but in an inclined plane. In some cases they may be arranged so as to create particular geometrical configurations, such as progressions ranging between a sinusoid and Greek fret with rounded corners or arranged in a spiral (patents IT1277842B1 and IT1277843B1). Generally they require support structures which inevitably increase the plant costs.
  • Remixing of the culture medium may be performed by the introduction of air via special blowers or compressors or using recirculating pumps.
  • the recirculation pumps are characterized by a high power and delivery and are always associated with rigid (glass or plastic) tubes.
  • the tubular photobioreactors are characterized by a high energy consumption since the pumps used have a high delivery and pressure.
  • the energy consumption levels indicated in the literature are 600 W/m 3 (Molina Grima E., 2009. Challenges on Microalgae Biofuels. In the Proceedings of the 1 st EABA Conference, Firenze June 3rd-4th 2009) or in any case between 500 W/m 3 and 2000 W/m 3 (Morweiser M., Kruse O., Hankamer B., Posten C, 2010. Developments and perspectives of photobioreactors for biofuel production. In Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 87: 1291-1301).
  • tubular photobioreactors represent the type of plant which is best suited for the large-scale open-air production of photosynthetic microorganisms (Eriksen N. T., 2008. The technology of microalgal culturing. In Biotechnol Lett. 30: 1525-1536).
  • a tubular photobioreactor is also known from international application WO2005/049784A1.
  • a portion of the photobioreactor rests on a plate.
  • the plate is moved occasionally so as to impart a controlled and intermittent movement to the photobioreactor.
  • This photobioreactor is not efficient and does not allow optimum operation to be achieved over time. In fact the author of the present disclosure has found that the photobioreactor tends to break easily.
  • the installation and management costs must be limited, as must be the energy consumption. These two criteria must be fulfilled in particular when the biomass obtained in the photobioreactor is intended for the production of energy. In fact the energy balance must be necessarily positive and the cost of the final product (biomass, biodiesel fuel, bioethanol. biogas, biohydrogen) must be competitive on the market with conventional fuels).
  • the photobioreactor must be installed and managed by dedicated personnel. The more sophisticated the plant, the more installation, maintenance and management becomes complex and time-consuming, thus increasing the possibilities of error and the costs for the personnel involved.
  • the photobioreactor must be designed so as to ensure a high ratio in terms of the PAR-transparent surface area and volume of liquid circulated inside it, so that the (solar or artificial) light may reach the greatest possible number of photosynthetic cells immersed in the culture medium.
  • a high volume/surface area ratio allows a high cellular density, a high volumetric production and greater exploitation of the culture liquid and therefore the use of a smaller amount of water to be obtained.
  • efficient capturing of light results in a greater cell density and therefore also gives rise to undoubted operational advantages at the time of harvesting.
  • the light capturing efficiency must therefore be assessed in terms of the healthiness of the culture and the cell density achieved and not the light energy which is transmitted to the culture.
  • a photobioreactor configured so as to transfer an excess of light energy to the organisms being cultivated may cause photoinhibition, with consequent lowering of the growth kinetics and cell density obtained, all other conditions being equal (Wahal S., Viamajala S., 2010. Maximizing algal growth in batch reactors using sequential change in light intensity. In Appl Biochem Biotechnol 161 : 51 1-522).
  • a good light capturing efficiency may therefore be achieved by combining different materials (which are more or less able to transmit different wavelengths included in the PAR) and different geometrical forms of the collector (dimensions and arrangement of the tube) in order to maximize the incident light energy and reduce to a minimum the photoinhibition (Molina Grima E., Aden Fernandez F. G., Garcia Camacho F., Chisti Y., 1999. Photobioreactors: light regime, mass transfer, and scaleup. In J Biotechnol 70: 231-247).
  • the photosynthetic organisms which comprise both eukaryotes such as unicellular green algae or superior plants, and prokaryotes, such as purple bacteria, green sulphur bacteria and cyanobacteria (also known as blue algae), are able to use the light energy to extract electrons from specific donors and introduce them into finely adjusted electron transport chains, obtaining from the light the energy necessary for the different metabolic activities.
  • the electron donor is water (H 2 0) converted to molecular oxygen (0 2 ) and protons (H+) in accordance with the reaction 2 H 2 0 0 2 + 4H+; in the case of non-oxygenic organisms such as purple bacteria and green sulphur bacteria, the electron donor is hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), converted to sulphuric acid and protons (H+).
  • the light energy by means of the electron transport chains which are different depending on the type of photosynthetic organism, is converted into: (i) proton gradient, converted into chemical energy by means of a special enzyme, with synthesis of the molecules of Adenosine-5'-Triphosphate (ATP); (ii) and into reducing power, formed depending on the organism by the molecules of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADP+) in the reduced state (respectively NADH+H+ or NADPH+H+).
  • NAD+ Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide
  • NADP+ Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate
  • the eukaryote oxygenic photosynthetic organisms such as green algae and prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria, when they are in the light phase and are present in abundance, the chemical energy (ATP) and the reducing power (NADH+ or NADPH+) use these resources, synthesizing new organic compounds from the carbon dioxide (C0 2 ).
  • the organic compounds obtained are used as an energy source for the basic metabolic activities of the cell during the so-called dark phase, when light is not present, photosynthesis cannot be performed and 0 2 is used in order to oxidise the sugars produced during the light phase, releasing C0 2 (Heldt H.W., 1997. Plant Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Oxford University Press, New York, USA).
  • the photosynthetic organisms cultivated in a photobioreactor therefore, in the light phase use the light energy collected in the collector in order to perform photosynthesis, releasing 0 2 and consuming at the same time the C0 2 dissolved in the culture liquid.
  • the light phase inside the collector, therefore, there is a gradual reduction in the concentration of C0 2 and an increase in the concentration of 0 2 , up to levels which are potentially toxic for the cells.
  • the dark phase instead there is a decrease in the concentration of 0 2 and an increase in the concentration of C0 2 .
  • the photosynthetic organisms from a metabolic point of view are photo-autotrophs, since they manage to synthesize autonomously the organic compounds essential for life, using as starting substrate inorganic compounds such as C0 2 , nitrate and phosphate ions, magnesium, calcium and traces of essential microelements such as iron, cobalt, manganese and other elements.
  • An exception consists of mixotrophic organisms, which associate with autotrophic metabolism also a heterotrophic metabolism which may be expressed in the presence of carbonaceous substrates, and photoheterotrophs which require as electron donors organic substances available in the environment (Rippka R., Deruelles J., Waterbury J., Herdman M., Stanier R., 1979.
  • the C0 2 is to be regarded as a fundamental nutritional substance and must be guaranteed for the culture also by means of injection of C0 2 -enriched gas if the concentration of C0 2 dissolved spontaneously in the culture medium is limiting (Molina E., Fernandez J., Aden F.G., Chisti Y., 2001. Tubular photobioreactor design for algal cultures. In J Biotechnol 92: 1 13-131). Efficiency of mixing and recirculation of the culture medium.
  • mixing of the culture medium is a process which has always been considered to be indispensable and which must ensure: (i) advancing of the culture medium inside the tubes towards the degassing tank; (ii) mixing of the culture medium in order to ensure better diffusion of the nutritional substances and prevent stratification of the temperatures; (iii) mixing of the cultivated organisms in order to prevent the sedimentation, aggregation and formation of biofilm, and also favour replacement of the cells present in the surface layers and most exposed to irradiation and consequently to photoinhibition.
  • biofilm namely persistent layers of adherent cells and material derived from the cellular metabolism (e.g.. polysaccharides) on the internal surface of the collector is a particularly important problem when the photobioreactor is intended to produce high-quality biomass in an efficient manner.
  • the formation of biofilm may constitute a desired technological aspect (de Godos I., Gonzalez C, Becares E., Garcia-Encina P. A., Munoz R., 2009. Simultaneous nutrients and carbon removal during pretreated swine slurry degradation in a tubular biofilm photobioreactor. In Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2: 187-194).
  • Biological processes such as microorganism growth are characterized by a maximum production peak, each at a precise temperature defined as optimum.
  • the productivity is correspondingly greater, the more the temperature is maintained in the region of the optimum value which varies depending on the photosynthetic organisms cultivated.
  • the acidity may be controlled by means of injection of pure carbon dioxide or other gas rich in carbon dioxide, in order to keep the culture in optimum conditions for growth. This allows, moreover, the photosynthetic microorganisms to have available large quantities of carbon dioxide, the starting point of photosynthesis, for achieving high production outputs.
  • substances which act as a buffer in the culture medium may be used, in order to maintain the pH within a range suitable for microbial growth.
  • a technical problem forming the basis of the present disclosure is that of providing a photobioreactor plant and a method for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms, plant cells which are able to satisfy one or more of the requirements and desired characteristics mentioned above in connection with photobioreactors, reducing as far as possible or limiting the inefficiency of the known photobioreactors.
  • the present disclosure is based on a recognition by the inventor of the present disclosure that it is possible to obtain an efficient result over time and without damaging the casing-photobioreactors by means of a photobioreactor plant including a lifting and movement system provided with one or more lifting wires, wherein one or more of the lifting wires are each connected to at least one casing- photobioreactor.
  • Each casing-photobioreactor acts as a light collector and includes a casing or bag made of soft material and a reinforcing or tensioning frame which surrounds a portion of the bag or casing. The portion of the bag provided or associated with said reinforcing or tensioning frame is a portion connected to one or more lifting wires.
  • the present disclosure is based on the recognition that, with the direct connection of the lifting wires and the casings and with the provision of a perimetral reinforcing frame in the connection zone between the casing and one or more of the lifting wires, it is possible to raise the casing with a harmonious and gradual movement without undesirable folds.
  • a remaining portion of the bag not provided with said reinforcing or tensioning frame is a portion which is not connected to one or more lifting wires.
  • a portion of the casing is raised, while the remaining portion of the casing remains substantially stationary.
  • the photobioreactor has an elongated form and has a long side and a short side.
  • the reinforcing frame may include a C or U-shaped surrounding body which extends along the short side of the bag and along two limited long-side portions adjacent to the short side.
  • the surrounding frame therefore, is for example an element which extends along a perimetral portion of the casing, namely which surrounds a part of the casing.
  • This surrounding body may be formed by stem-like elements, such as rods or similar elements, each of which is associated with and fixed to the short side of the bag and to the two limited long-side portions adjacent to the short side, respectively.
  • the connection between the lifting wire and the casing is formed by means of a elongated support body to which the casing is fixed.
  • a elongated support body such as a rod, bar or similar support which extends along the short side of the casing.
  • the elongated support side is fixed to one or more lifting wires.
  • the short side of each casing may be associated with the elongated support body so that, by raising the elongated support body by means of one or more lifting wires, it is possible to raise also a terminal portion of each photobioreactor including the short side and a long-side part of the respective casing. In this way, the entire width of the casing is affected by the undulating movement which may be transmitted harmoniously along the entire length of the casing.
  • each photobioreactor is partially wound onto, or fixed to, the elongated support body and fixed in position by means of a fastening or securing element.
  • a fastening or securing element for example, it is possible to envisage an end portion which is connected to the casing and is fixed and/or connected to the elongated support body.
  • the elongated support body may have dimensions such that a series of photobioreactors may be fixed to the elongated body, so that one photobioreactor in the series may be situated alongside another one of the photobioreactors along said elongated support body.
  • the latter is therefore arranged between said one or more lifting wires and the group or series of photobioreactors. In this way it is possible to move a plurality of photobioreactors by moving a single elongated support body.
  • the lifting system includes a rotary actuation member, wherein said rotary actuation member is connected to one or more lifting wires.
  • the lifting wire may be associated with the rotary actuation member so that a rotation of the rotary actuation member in one direction of rotation produces, or corresponds to, a linear (for example vertical) movement of one or more lifting wires in a first direction with lifting of the casing-photobioreactor, and wherein a rotation of the rotary actuation member in the other direction of rotation produces, or corresponds to, a linear movement of one or more lifting wires in a second opposite direction with lowering of the casing-photobioreactor.
  • the lifting wires are wound onto a rotating shaft or onto a drum configured to rotate together with the shaft so that a rotation in the first direction causes winding of the one or more lifting wires onto the shaft or onto the drum (and therefore a pulling action) and a rotation in the second direction causes unwinding/slackening of the one or more lifting wires from the shaft or drum, and therefore lowering of the casing into a stationary condition.
  • the rotary actuation member is compatible with the use of lifting wires and allows a harmonious movement of the casing.
  • the lifting wire may be wound onto a rotating shaft and, by suitably adjusting rotation, the casing may be raised.
  • the present disclosure is furthermore based on the recognition that the use of these lifting and movement systems allows the cultures to be moved in specific ways which may further favour growth.
  • the inventor of the present disclosure has recognized that the microorganisms, in particular the micro algae, live and grow in practically stationary water conditions, defined as stagnant.
  • the lifting and movement system described above may be used perfectly in keeping with this philosophy/principle, namely the principle of keeping the culture medium in a static condition and moving the culture medium occasionally or at predetermined intervals. For example, movement of the culture may be performed only a few times during the day, unlike the continuous movement of all the conventional systems.
  • the actuation member for moving the wires may be programmed to move the photobioreactors occasionally or at regular intervals and/or with a predetermined speed of rotation.
  • the movement of the culture occasionally or in a temporally discontinuous manner may constitute the best way for not disturbing the natural development and growth of the photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic microorganism and/or plant cells cultivated, since they are static for most of the time, but at the same time achieving correct productivity of the culture, moving it by that amount needed for correct exchange of nutrients and gas.
  • the lifting system may be configured so as to adjust the movement of a culture, without or with as little as possible wastage of energy.
  • the force imparted and the duration of the movement depend mainly on the photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non- photosynthetic microorganisms and/or plant cells which are cultivated.
  • the culture medium is not subject to movement, namely is in said static condition.
  • the method and associated photobioreactor plant described above are organized and structured so as to have the characteristics of a modular nature, high versatility, limited need for special infrastructures, easy and low-cost installation, management and maintenance, low operational energy consumption, and/or further characteristics.
  • a plurality of photobioreactors are arranged alongside each other in columns and rows, depending on the distribution of the wires of the lifting and movement system.
  • the aforementioned casing- photobioreactor is a PAR-transparent plastic body which is placed on the ground, or on a base, which is for example a reflective canvas (mulch), or a netting, and is filled with the culture medium most suitable for the type of microorganism involved, so as to form a kind of mattress which is a few centimetres thick.
  • a base which is for example a reflective canvas (mulch), or a netting
  • the casing is completely closed or may have valves at the ends, for the injection of gas or liquids.
  • the movement of the culture may be performed by means of a wave-like motion resulting from a raising movement upwards and subsequent lowering movement of one or both the ends, or end portions of the casing provided with the aforementioned reinforcing frame.
  • jolting of the casing may be performed.
  • the movement of the culture is performed indirectly, since the culture is moved by means of the casing-photobioreactor.
  • the culture is not recirculated inside the casing.
  • carbon dioxide is injected and has the function of controlling pH of the culture and providing a substrate for the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms during the light phase.
  • an outlet valve is provided at one end of the casing opposite to the gas inlet end, so that the casing is not under pressure.
  • the casing- photobioreactor is used in combination with cultures, such as Haematococcus pluvialis, which, in order to reach maturity, require a stress associated with a change in conditions, such as a nutritional stress.
  • cultures such as Haematococcus pluvialis
  • the photobioreactor allows the start of the maturation phase of the alga, interrupting the supply of nutrients and/or gas and keeping the culture for most of the time in a static condition.
  • the photobioreactor according to the present disclosure may be used for the cultivation of one of the following organisms or a combination thereof: (i) photosynthetic microorganisms, (ii) mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non- photosynthetic microorganisms, (iii) plant cells.
  • the photobioreactor plant according to the present disclosure may be used for the production of: - microbial biomass for the production of fodder, for aquaculture, for food supplements, as a foodstuff as such, or as an intermediate product for food production;
  • biomass derived fuel oil (biodiesel fuel), released hydrogen (biohydrogen), gas (biogas) or ethanol (bioethanol) derived from the cultivated biomass;
  • bioactive molecules natural antioxidants, omega3 fatty acids, etc.
  • pigments oil, proteins, polysaccharides, biopolymers, bioplastics
  • the present disclosure is therefore based also on a recognition by the inventor of the present disclosure that it is possible to make use of frameworks and structures which already exist in another technical sector, and in some cases are already decommissioned, for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic microorganisms and/or plant cells, and these already existing frameworks and structures are particularly suitable for these cultures and useful for satisfying one or more of the requirements mentioned above in connection with the prior art.
  • plants which already exist for poultry farming and which include in particular a lifting and movement system with wires for moving pan feeders (containing fodder) and, referred to the sector as pan feeder lifting system or wire, may be adapted for the application in the sector of photobioreactors.
  • this lifting and movement system is traditionally structured to adjust simultaneously the height of the pan feeders and even more particularly to raise and lower, as required, a pan feeder in a poultry farming plant.
  • pan feeder wire movement system appears to be particularly suitable for use in the photobioreactor plant according to the present disclosure.
  • pan feeder lifting and movement systems are increasingly less common since the poultry farming sector is moving back more and more to free-range poultry rearing without raisable pan feeders.
  • the lifting and movement system includes a plurality of wires connected, on the one hand, to one or more pan feeders and, on the other hand, to one or more actuation members.
  • wires in order to raise a single photobioreactor or one wire for raising a single corresponding photobioreactor.
  • the wires may be organized and connected to the photobioreactors on one side only of the respective photobioreactor or on several sides of a photobioreactor.
  • connection between the wires and the photobioreactor may be indirect.
  • one or more photobioreactors may be placed on a shelf or a base, and the wire may be connected to the shelf or base, in order to move the latter.
  • the lifting and movement system may be further adapted for use with the photobioreactors.
  • the photobioreactors in order to optimize the yield of the system, it is possible to envisage several shelves arranged one on top of each heightwise and supporting the photobioreactors, the shelves being connected to the wires.
  • the wires may be moved with a to-and- fro movement by a motor or a hydraulic piston or by some other actuation member and consequently cause an alternate lifting movement of the one or more photobioreactors.
  • the pan feeder lifting and movement system includes a plurality of primary wires arranged horizontally, at ceiling height or slightly below the ceiling, and a plurality of secondary wires arranged substantially vertical underneath the primary wires and connected by means of transmission pulleys to the primary wires.
  • the secondary wires are connected to the pan feeders.
  • the casing-photobioreactors are connected to the secondary wires.
  • the secondary wires may be each connected, as mentioned above, to a corresponding photobioreactor, or a plurality of secondary wires may be connected to a single photobioreactor on several sides of the latter.
  • the primary wires may be moved with the aforementioned to-and-fro movement by a motor or a hydraulic piston or by some other actuation member. In this way, by moving the primary wires in the horizontal direction it is possible to displace the vertical wires vertically.
  • the to-and-fro movement in the vertical direction allows the photobioreactors to be moved alternately upwards and downwards, imparting for example a wave-like motion to the photobioreactor.
  • the photobioreactors, or bags, including the cultures are attached to the secondary wires (previously intended for lifting the pan feeders) and moved in the same way that the pan feeders were moved previously in the vertical direction. It is thus possible to raise and lower, for example an end portion of a photobioreactor, so as to move the cultures inside the casing.
  • the casing may have any form and size.
  • the form and size are selected depending on the culture.
  • the casing may be placed in a tank with water in order to stabilize the temperature.
  • barns may therefore house a large number of photobioreactors and allow a high yield to be obtained for the culture.
  • the barns may be modified, for example by removing the roof or removing all the walls of the barn, so as to allow the casings to be exposed directly to the sunlight.
  • the wire lifting and movement system for lifting the pan feeders may also be used in the open air.
  • the wires and wire actuation members may be mounted on support frameworks fixed in the ground, such as the support structures used to support hail protection netting in the agricultural sector.
  • the pan feeder lifting and movement system where the pan feeders are replaced by photobioreactors, may be reduced to a smaller size and transported into a laboratory or similar closed environment, where an aseptic condition of the environment may be ensured.
  • the pan feeder lifting and movement system where the pan feeders are replaced by the photobioreactors, may be reduced to smaller dimensions and arranged in an autoclave.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view, from above, of a photobioreactor plant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Figure 2 is a side view of a detail of a photobioreactor plant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Figure 3 is a front view of a detail of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a view of a photobioreactor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 5 is a view, from above, of a poultry farming plant of the known type
  • Figure 6 is a view, from above, of a photobioreactor plant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Figure 7 is a view, from above, of a detail of a photobioreactor plant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the reference number 1 10 indicates a photobioreactor plant according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the photobioreactor plant 110 includes a plurality of photobioreactors 1 1.
  • Each photobioreactor 11 (which acts as a light collector) comprises, for example, a bag 112 made of flexible material which is transparent to photosynthetically active light radiation.
  • the bag will be described in more detail below.
  • Each photobioreactor 11 contains a culture medium (not visible in the drawings) for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic microorganisms and/or plant cells.
  • the photobioreactor plant 1 10 includes a lifting and movement system 130 for moving the photobioreactors 1 1 which allows simultaneously the height of the photobioreactors 11 or a portion of a photobioreactor to be adjusted.
  • the lifting and movement system 130 is a pulling cable or wire lifting system in which a drive member 135 is connected by means of a lifting or pulling cable or wire 1 16, 1 17 to each of the photobioreactors 11.
  • the pulling or lifting cable or wire 1 16, 1 17 is configured to be tensioned and raise the photobioreactor or a plurality of photobioreactors.
  • each photobioreactor 11 is fixed directly to the wire lifting system 130.
  • a group or series of photobioreactors is fixed to a single bar 1 14, and the bar 1 14 is in turn connected to a group or series of photobioreactors 1 1.
  • Each photobioreactor 11 in the series is located facing another of the photobioreactors 1 1 , along the bar 1 14.
  • each photobioreactor 11 has an elongated, for example rectangular form, and has a long side and a short side.
  • Each photobioreactor 1 1 is associated with the bar 114 along the short side.
  • the short side of each photobioreactor 1 1 is fixed to the bar 114 so that, by raising the bar 1 14, an end portion of each photobioreactor 1 1 may also be raised, namely a portion which includes the short side and a long- side part of the respective casing 1 1.
  • the fixing of each photobioreactor 11 may be performed by directly connecting the short side of the casing 1 1 to the bar 1 14.
  • each photobioreactor 1 1 includes at a respective end an end strip 1 18.
  • This end strip 1 18 is fixed to the short side of the casing 112 and acts as a connection between the bar 1 14 and the casing 1 12.
  • both a lifting movement by means of cables and wires and a direct connection avoids the formation of marked folds in the casing 11 when the latter is partially raised, and therefore the repeated stressing of the casing 11.
  • the casing-photobioreactor 11 includes a reinforcing frame 120 which surrounds a portion of the bag or casing 1 12.
  • the reinforcing frame 120 includes a substantially C or U-shaped surrounding body which extends perimetrally along the short side of the bag and two limited long-side portions adjacent to the short side.
  • the reinforcing frame includes stem-like elements 122, such as rods or similar elements, each of which is associated with and fixed to the short side of the bag and to two limited long-side portions adjacent to the short side, respectively.
  • stem-like elements 122 such as rods or similar elements, each of which is associated with and fixed to the short side of the bag and to two limited long-side portions adjacent to the short side, respectively.
  • adhesive tapes or other fixing systems of the known type which do not damage the bag.
  • the wire lifting system 130 is intended to lift by means of the same actuation member 135 alternately two groups of photobioreactors 11.
  • This embodiment ensures optimization of the energy consumption necessary for raising the two groups of photobioreactors.
  • the same actuation member 135 is used to move alternately one group of photobioreactors 11 first and then the other group of photobioreactors 11. In this way, a waiting time during which the first group of photobioreactors 11 is stationary is advantageously used for moving the other group of photobioreactors 1 1.
  • the lifting system 130 includes an actuation member 135 such as a rotary motor, a combustion engine, an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, indicated generically by the reference number 140.
  • the actuation member 140 is connected to the lifting wires 1 16, 1 17 so that a rotation of the rotary actuation member 135 in one direction of rotation produces, or corresponds to, a linear movement of the lifting wires 1 16, 1 17 in a first direction with lifting of the casing-photobioreactor, and a rotation of the rotary actuation member 135 in the other direction of rotation produces, or corresponds to, a linear movement of the wires 116, 1 17 in a second opposite direction with lowering of the casing-photobioreactor 11.
  • the lifting wires 1 16, 1 17 are wound onto a shaft 143 or onto a drum 144 which is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 143, wherein a rotation in the first direction causes winding of the wires 1 16, 117 onto the shaft 143 or onto the drum 144 and a rotation in the second direction causes unwinding of the wires 116, 1 17 from the shaft 143 or from the drum 144.
  • the rotary actuation member 140 is arranged in an intermediate position between the two adjacent groups of photobioreactors 11 or the two adjacent photobioreactors and is configured to raise one of the two adjacent groups of photobioreactors 11 or one of the two adjacent photobioreactors and, at the same time, lower the other of the two adjacent groups of photobioreactors 1 1 or the other of the two adjacent photobioreactors and vice versa.
  • a first lifting wire 1 16 is connected to a first one of said photobioreactors or to a first group of photobioreactors, for example the left group of photobioreactors, and is wound in a first winding direction onto the shaft 143 or onto the drum 144 and a second lifting wire 1 17 is connected to a second one of said photobioreactors 1 1 or to a second group of photobioreactors 11 , for example the right-hand group, and is wound in a second winding direction onto the shaft 143 or onto the drum 144 opposite to the first winding direction.
  • a rotation of the rotary actuation member 140 in a first direction of rotation produces, or corresponds to, winding of the first lifting wire 1 16 and unwinding of the second lifting wire 117 and a consequent linear movement, for example vertically, in a first direction, of the first lifting wire 116 with lifting of the first of said photobioreactors 11 or the first group of photobioreactors 11 and a stationary condition and/or a linear movement of the second lifting wire 1 17 in a second direction opposite to the first direction with lowering of the second photobioreactor 11 or the second group of photobioreactors.
  • a rotation of the rotary actuation member 140 in the second direction of rotation produces, or corresponds to, winding of the second lifting wire 1 17 and unwinding of the first lifting wire 116 and a consequent linear movement of the second lifting wire 1 17 in the first direction with lifting of the second of said photobioreactors 1 1 or the second group of photobioreactors 1 1 and a stationary condition and/or a linear movement of the second lifting wire 1 17 in the second direction opposite to the first direction with lowering of the first photobioreactor 11 or the first group of photobioreactors.
  • first lifting cable or wire 1 16 is fixed and wound (tightly) onto the rotating shaft 143 or onto the drum 144 so that one end 1 16a of the cable 1 16 extends from one side, for example the right-hand side of the drum 144 or the shaft 143
  • second lifting cable or wire 117 is fixed and wound (tightly) onto the rotating shaft 143 or onto the drum 144 so that one end 1 17a of the cable 1 17 extends from the opposite side, namely in the example the left-hand side of the drum 144 or the shaft 143.
  • the lifting system 130 is arranged substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry which passes through the actuation member 140 and which separates ideally the two adjacent groups of photobioreactors 11 or the two adjacent photobioreactors.
  • the drum 144 includes two portions separated by means of a dividing wall 145, the first lifting wire 116 being arranged on one of the two portions and the second lifting wire 1 17 being arranged on the other one of the two drum portions.
  • the actuation member 135 is located at the bottom at a height coinciding with the height of the photobioreactors 11 or on the ground.
  • the plant includes a supporting and transmission framework for supporting one or more lifting wires 116, 1 17 above the casing-photobioreactor 11.
  • the second cable 1 17 extends upwards and is first deviated to the right by means of a first transmission pulley 148 and deviated again downwards by means of a second transmission pulley 149 so as to be connected to the right-hand group of the photobioreactors 1 1 and allow raising/lowering thereof.
  • the first cable 1 16 extends upwards and is deviated to the left by means of a first transmission pulley 150 and deviated again downwards by means of a second transmission pulley 151 so as to be connected to the left-hand group of the photobioreactors 11 and allow raising thereof.
  • the configuration of the actuation member, the cable and the transmission members may be different from that shown.
  • the choice of the position of the transmission members is determined mainly by the location on the ground of the rotary motor. This arrangement on the ground is due mainly to safety reasons.
  • each group of photobioreactors to the motor by means of a respective lifting wire and wind all the wires with the same direction of winding onto the drum.
  • the photobioreactors would be moved (lifted/lowered) in synchronism.
  • the rotary motor 140 is rotated alternately in one direction of rotation and in the opposite direction of rotation. Depending on the direction of rotation of the motor, it is possible to produce a linear movement of the wires in a first direction and lifting of a casing-photobioreactor. Actuation of the rotary actuation member in an opposite direction of rotation produces a linear movement of the wires in a second opposite direction and a lowering of the casing-photobioreactor.
  • Rotation of the rotary actuation member 140 in the other direction of rotation causes winding of the second lifting wire 1 17 and unwinding/slackening of the first lifting wire 1 16 and a consequent linear movement of the second lifting wire 117 in the first direction with lifting of the second of said photobioreactors 11 or the second group of photobioreactors 11 and a stationary condition, and/or linear movement of the first lifting wire 1 16 in the second direction opposite to the first direction with lowering of the first photobioreactor 11 or the first group of photobioreactors.
  • the speed of rotation and the number of revolutions of the motor 140 are suitably controlled so as to allow partial raising of each casing of the groups of photobioreactors.
  • the bar is raised until the casing portion provided with the reinforcing frame is raised.
  • the two groups of photobioreactors are moved alternately and, when one of the two groups is stationary, the other group is moved, and vice versa.
  • each photobioreactor 11 may be made to assume a static condition and the photobioreactors 11 may be subjected to a - for example wave-like - movement at limited time intervals or in a temporally discontinuous manner, interrupting the static condition, in order to move the culture medium.
  • the aforementioned movement of the culture medium is obtained by moving the photobioreactors 1 1 in a temporally discontinuous manner, for example occasionally or at regular intervals or depending on a predetermined program.
  • a slight undulating movement or repeated jolts may also be obtained by causing the photobioreactors 1 1 to vibrate slightly with alternate and repeated movements.
  • the motor 140 may be associated with an electronic control system for adjusting the movement of the photobioreactors 11. Consequently, by lifting the photobioreactors 1 1 occasionally or at predetermined intervals it is possible to obtain a controlled undulating movement of each group of photobioreactors 11.
  • the movement involves lifting upwards and subsequent lowering of one end of each photobioreactor 11.
  • each photobioreactor 11 may be normally in a horizontal position and raised if necessary. It may also be stated that the movement is performed indirectly, being performed by means of the photobioreactors 1 1 , namely there are no bodies in contact with the culture medium, such as vanes, pump impellers, rods, air injectors, etc.
  • the culture medium is not subject to movement, namely is in a static condition.
  • each photobioreactor 11 is a tubular body made of plastic film which is transparent to PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation), with different dimensions and being arranged horizontally with respect to the surface, characterized by complete closure (sealing) with respect to the external environment.
  • PAR Photosynthetically Active Radiation
  • each photobioreactor 11 may include tubes or pipes welded or in any case fixed to the front end and/or end portions of the photobioreactors 11 for filling/emptying the culture medium, supplying nutritional substances (mineral salts, C0 2 , organic acids, or other organic substances) and discharging any gas and introducing, where necessary, any process monitoring systems (e.g. temperature probes, pH probes).
  • nutritional substances mineral salts, C0 2 , organic acids, or other organic substances
  • any process monitoring systems e.g. temperature probes, pH probes.
  • Each of the photobioreactors 11 is therefore characterized by a culture chamber where the photoautotrophic or non-photoautotrophic microorganisms are grown in an aqueous culture medium be it soft water, salt water or brackish water.
  • the photobioreactors 11 may be hermetically sealed, continuously in relation to the exterior, or be provided with pipes or vents which allow gaseous exchange. In the first case opening of the tubes at the ends is performed only during filling or emptying and for supplying the nutritional elements.
  • the two operating modes are applied in different ways depending on the objects which are to be achieved and the species or strains of microorganisms used.
  • each casing may vary depending on the technical/biological characteristics of the organisms cultivated and the spaces available, as well as the type of manual or mechanical drive system which is to be performed.
  • the photobioreactors 11 may have a length variable from 50 cm to 100 m, but also up to 200 m. For lengths of more than 5 metres, a mechanical movement may be conveniently provided.
  • the width may vary from 5 to 10,000 cm with an optimum measurement of between 40 and 60 cm.
  • each photobioreactor 1 1 is used for the cultivation of the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. This microalga is therefore included inside the casing.
  • the photobioreactor 10 may be optimal for some cultures such as Haematococcus pluvialis which attain maturity with the aid of a stress or change in conditions, for example a nutritional stress.
  • the photobioreactor plant 10 allows the maturation phase of the alga to be initiated in an entirely innovative manner, by simply supplying nutrients and/gas and keeping the culture for most of the time in a static condition.
  • Haematococcus pluvialis a soft water microalga classified as green alga
  • the cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis, a soft water microalga classified as green alga was tested continuously for a year with the photobioreactor hermetically sealed. In the intermediate seasons and during the winter, the cultivation was carried out without using temperature or pH control systems or other process parameters. Surprisingly the productivity was found to be comparable to the conventional culture systems described above with reference to the prior art, where the culture medium is exposed to contact with external blowing means. The quality was very high, both in terms of active principles and in terms of contamination purity, being comparable to that of the most sophisticated cultivation systems.
  • the photobioreactor plant is compatible with a number of critical factors, which are listed below.
  • the bags may be arranged inside tanks or pools which have been arranged beforehand inside barns, in order to control the temperature of the bags.
  • the photobioreactors 1 1 may be arranged inside basins or hollows formed by means of digging in the ground. Water be made to flow inside these basins.
  • the photobioreactors 11 are, as mentioned, PAR-transparent (both those made of food-grade materials and those made of non food-grade materials for energy cultures), such that each of them is suitable for use in a photobioreactor also for alimentary or non-alimentary use.
  • the casing-photobioreactor 11 which is tubular shaped
  • the tube itself assumes a cushionlike form (depending on the width) and is comparable to a vertical-panel photobioreactor positioned horizontally.
  • this constructional form it is possible to obtain a good surface area/volume ratio and prevent a self-shading effect.
  • the casing-photobioreactor is formed by a tubular element having a width of about 50 cm and length of about 50 m (25 square metres), with a water level height of 5 cm.
  • This casing-photobioreactor contains 1250 litres, which is equivalent to 50 l/m 2 of culture medium.
  • this data is comparable with that cited in the literature for the other types of photobioreactors which are extremely sophisticated and efficient, such as vertical-panel photobioreactors (described for example in the patent application WO2004/074423A2).
  • the dimensions of the photobioreactor and the casing are not binding within the context of the present disclosure and may be chosen depending on the requirements which may arise.
  • Another innovative aspect of the photobioreactor according to the present disclosure is that there is no forced degassing action, as in conventional photobioreactors of the air-lift, bubbling or tubular type with degassing towers or tanks. Surprisingly it has been possible to cultivate Haematococcus pluvialis, as described above, with excellent results also. Degassing is performed naturally, with water-water exchange when the photobioreactor has a non-hermetically sealed configuration. In the case where the photobioreactor is hermetically sealed, degassing practically does not occur. The substances which form the culture medium, in fact, ensure that the equilibrium is maintained for the duration needed for growth and maturation of the culture.
  • the nutritional elements including C0 2 -enriched gas, or C0 2 in liquid form
  • the nutritional elements may be added to the culture medium by the operator in the form of salts as such or dissolved in the liquid, depending on the specific requirements of the culture.
  • These control systems may be in all cases remotely connected.
  • the nutrients may be removed from special tanks positioned close-by or at a distance and connected via pipes and pumps.
  • mixing may occur indirectly by means of movement of the casing, namely there are no members inside the passage of the photobioreactor which allow the movement of the culture medium, this movement allowing efficient mixing of the culture medium.
  • the temperature may be monitored by means of one or more probes positioned in contact with the culture medium.
  • temperature control is not performed since it is necessary, with a further reduction in the management costs. Should the need arise, the temperature is kept within the optimum range by an automatic system which allows cooling or heating as required.
  • Conditioning of the temperature may be performed by spraying water on the tubular elements of the light collector, with the aid of systems similar to those used for irrigation, using pipes and nozzles, porous tubes, sprinklers, jets, microjets and similar systems. Or water may be circulated over and along the sides of the photobioreactor. A system for recovery of the conditioning water may also be associated, using the plastic mulching film positioned underneath the collector or other systems, such as nursery gardening tubs or trays. The photobioreactor may also be kept completely immersed inside special tanks or lagoon systems such that the temperature is controlled as, for example, in rice fields.
  • Acidity control is performed by adding a substance with a buffering power to the culture medium. This allows the pH to be kept at levels which are acceptable for the culture during the time period necessary for growth thereof.
  • acidity control may be performed by means of one or more probes which are positioned in contact with the culture medium. These probes, which are connected to special devices, control the amount of C0 2 which is introduced into the medium (which may be gaseous or liquid) in order to adjust the acidity thereof.
  • pH control may be performed by adding to the culture medium organic or inorganic acids or acidifying substances which may simultaneously regulate the acidity of the medium and provide a source of nutrition for the microorganisms cultivated.
  • each casing- photobioreactor 11 is hermetically sealed.
  • the tubes may be provided with valves and filters for preventing the entry of microbes into the photobioreactor.
  • the tubes may be protected by caps with filters, porous baffles or the like which allow gas exchange between the inside and outside of the tank and at the same time prevent microbial contamination.
  • probes may be provided for detecting chemical and physical parameters such as the acidity and the temperature of the culture medium. These probes may be safely housed inside special seats inside the casing-photobioreactor 11 from the start of the cultivation cycle without constituting possible contamination sources.
  • the reference number 1 denotes a poultry framing plant of the known type.
  • the reference number 10 indicates a photobioreactor plant according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the photobioreactor plant 10 is obtained by replacing the pan feeders 2 of the poultry farming plant 1 with a plurality of casing-photobioreactors 1 1.
  • Each of the casing- photobioreactors 11 comprises, for example, a bag made of flexible material transparent to photosynthetically active light radiation. The bag will be described in more detail below.
  • the photobioreactor plant 10 includes a lifting and movement system 30 for moving the casing-photobioreactors 11 , which allows the height of the casing-photobioreactors 1 1 to be adjusted simultaneously.
  • the system which is called in the poultry farming sector a pan feeder lifting system, is connected normally to the ceiling or to walls of a barn and allows a pan feeder to be raised or lowered as required.
  • the lifting and movement system 30 includes, in the embodiment shown, a plurality of substantially horizontal primary wires 14 arranged alongside each other, only one being shown in the drawings, and a plurality of substantially vertical secondary wires 12 which are connected at first end by means of transmission pulleys 16 to a respective primary wire 14.
  • the primary wires 14 are arranged horizontally above the secondary wires 12 within the whole area of a barn.
  • each wire 12 is connected to a horizontal bar 13 to which in turn the casing-photobioreactors 11 are fixed.
  • the wire 12 is fixed to a terminal portion 20 of a respective casing-photobioreactor 11.
  • Two wires 12 may be provided, each connected on opposite sides of the casing- photobioreactor 11 to a respective terminal portion.
  • the wires 12 may also be connected along the long sides of the casing-photobioreactor 1 1.
  • Each primary wire 14 is a closed-loop transmission member which is in turn connected on one side to a motor 15 and, on the opposite side to the motor 15, to a transmission pulley mounted on a stationary support 21.
  • the primary wire 14 is moved with a to-and-fro movement by the motor 15, by means of rotation alternately in one direction of rotation and in the opposite direction of rotation of the motor 15.
  • the primary wires 14 may be moved with to-and-from movements by hydraulic pistons.
  • each primary wire 14 is actuated by the respective motor 15. In this way, by connecting a plurality of secondary wires 12 in succession to the same primary wire 14, it is possible to actuate the plurality of secondary wires 12 with a single motor 15.
  • a plurality of motors 15 arranged alongside each other on one side of a barn may therefore be provided, said motors being intended to move a corresponding number of primary wires 14 and corresponding series of casing-photobioreactors 1 1.
  • each primary wire 14 may be connected in turn by means of a pulley to a rotating shaft, arranged perpendicularly with respect to the primary wire 14 on one side of the barn.
  • the rotating shaft may be actuated by a single motor and rotated alternately in both directions of rotation. In this way, by connecting a plurality of primary wires 14 to the same rotating shaft, the casing-photobioreactors 1 1 may be moved by a single motor 15.
  • a plurality of wires 12 are connected on one side of a single casing-photobioreactor 11. In other embodiments, not shown in the drawings, a plurality of wires 12 are connected on several sides of a single casing-photobioreactor 11. In these latter embodiments, several bars 13 and bars 17 arranged intersecting so that the wires 12, 14 may be arranged and connected to several sides of the same casing-photobioreactor 11 may be provided.
  • Each photobioreactor 11 contains a culture medium (not visible in the drawings) for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, mixed cultures of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic microorganisms and/or plant cells.
  • a culture medium not visible in the drawings
  • each of the casing-photobioreactors 11 may be made to assume a static condition and the casing-photobioreactors 11 may be subjected to a movement, for example of an undulating nature, at limited time intervals or in a temporally discontinuous manner, interrupting the static condition, in order to move the culture medium.
  • the aforementioned movement of the culture medium is obtained by moving the casing-photobioreactors 1 1 in a temporally discontinuous manner, for example occasionally or at regular intervals or depending on a predetermined program.
  • a slight undulating movement or repeated jolts may also be obtained by causing the photobioreactors 1 1 to vibrate slightly with alternate and repeated movements of the wires 12.
  • the motor 15 may be associated with an electronic control system for adjusting the movement of the casing-photobioreactors 11. Consequently, by lifting the casing-photobioreactors 11 occasionally or at predetermined intervals, it is possible to obtain an undulating movement of each of the casing-photobioreactors 11.
  • the movement involves lifting upwards and subsequent lowering of one end of each of the casing-photobioreactors 11.
  • each of the casing-photobioreactors 11 may be normally in a horizontal position and raised if necessary. It may also be noted that the movement is performed indirectly, being performed by means of casing-photobioreactors 11 , namely there are no bodies in contact with the culture medium, such as vanes, pump impellers, rods, air injectors, etc.

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Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à une installation de photobioréacteur (10, 110) destinée à la culture de micro-organismes photosynthétiques et/ou de populations mixtes de micro-organismes photosynthétiques et non photosynthétiques et/ou de cellules végétales. L'installation de photobioréacteur comprend un système de levage et de déplacement (30, 130) pourvu d'un ou de plusieurs câbles de levage (12, 14, 116, 117). Un ou plusieurs câbles de levage (12, 14, 116, 117) sont reliés à au moins un photobioréacteur (11) à enveloppe et chaque photobioréacteur (11) à enveloppe comprenant une enveloppe ou un sac (112) et une armature de renforcement ou de mise en tension (120) qui entoure une partie du sac ou de l'enveloppe (112). La partie du sac dotée de l'armature de renforcement ou de mise en tension (120) ou associée à celle-ci est reliée au(x)dit(s) câbles de levage (12, 14, 116, 117). La partie du sac dotée de l'armature de renforcement ou de mise en tension (120) ou associée à celle-ci est élevée et/ou abaissée à l'aide dudit ou desdits câbles de levage (12, 14, 116, 117).
PCT/IB2014/062869 2013-07-05 2014-07-04 Installation de photobioréacteur pour cultiver des micro-organismes photosynthétiques, des cultures mixtes de micro-organismes photosynthétiques et non photosynthétiques et/ou de cellules végétales WO2015001530A2 (fr)

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ITVR2013A000157 2013-07-05
IT000157A ITVR20130157A1 (it) 2013-07-05 2013-07-05 Impianto per una coltivazione di microrganismi fotosintetici, colture miste di microrganismi fotosintetici e non-fotosintetici e/o cellule vegetali.

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WO2015001530A3 WO2015001530A3 (fr) 2015-04-23

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3064448A1 (fr) * 2017-04-03 2018-10-05 Jean-Yves Michard Installation pour nourrir des volailles comprenant un tube convoyeur sur lequel sont raccordes des nourrisseurs

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