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
  • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
  • C12M23/22—Transparent or translucent parts
• • 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
  • C12M31/00—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light
  • C12M31/08—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light by conducting or reflecting elements located inside the reactor or in its structure
• • 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
  • C12M31/00—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light
  • C12M31/10—Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light by light emitting elements located inside the reactor, e.g. LED or OLED
• • 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
  • C12M39/00—Means for cleaning the apparatus or avoiding unwanted deposits of microorganisms
• • 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
  • C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
  • C12M41/12—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of temperature
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
  • Y02A50/20—Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Definitions

• This invention relates to a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air.
• the invention can be applied in the industrial sector and in the food-making sector.
• the invention can be applied in anaerobic digestion systems, composting systems, thermoelectric power stations, household or public environments such as, for example, shopping centres.
• the invention addresses the sector for the purification of air contaminated by CO 2 and fine dusts in closed or outdoor environments.
• photobioreactors Like the greenhouses for cultivation of terrestrial plant species, photobioreactors derive from the need to be able to cultivate the most diverse algal species in environments with environmental conditions different from those necessary for the correct growth. Another very important aspect is the capacity to significantly reduce the possibility of creating contamination which may come from infesting species or parasites, since the entire process takes place in a controlled and confined environment.
• the cultivation of algae derives from the consideration that their commercial value is much greater than that of the CO 2 , that they have a growth rate which is, on average, four times greater than traditional crops and that they are naturally rich in lipids of vegetable origin (particularly omega 3 and omega 6), proteins, pigments and mineral salts. They can therefore be used commercially for the following purposes: energy (biofuels), pharmacological (active ingredients), nutraceutical (essential fatty acids, proteins, antioxidants and mineral salts), industrial (pigments), as well as for livestock and dairy products (protein feeds).
• algae can be used for the treatment of air which is rich in pollutants inside buildings or urban areas thanks to their bio-filter function.
• transparent tubular photobioreactors are made in such a way as to be able to use sunlight to allow the photosynthesis of the algae and support the growth; their main defects are linked to the availability of direct sunlight, which is not programmable, and the difficulty of controlling the temperatures except with costly methods both in terms of water resources and energy resources.
• the movement of the culture liquid is usually performed by low abrasive pumps, blades and propellers.
• the pumps, and in some cases the worm screws, are used in tubular photobioreactors, blades and propellers for planar photobioreactors.
• the movement of the culture liquid is another decisive factor for the efficiency of the photobioreactors.
• the movement of the fluid allows the algae to have a good mixing of the nutrients, however keeping the recirculation of the fluid always active is costly in terms of energy and may cause cellular damage to the algae and, therefore, be a growth inhibiting factor.
• the prior art photobioreactors have high energy costs due to the need to maintain the temperatures within preset limits.
• algae needs a suitable environment in order to be able to live, grow and reproduce, and the closer this is to an ideal condition the greater is the production and quality of the product.
• Temperature variations may lead to the crops living under conditions of bi- ological stress, in which organisms produce some substances with the task of depending against the stress factor.
• proteins antioxidants, but also of toxins (hepatotoxins, neurotoxins, cy- totoxins, endotoxins) and other unwanted substances.
• Another problem is linked to the movement of the culture liquid in which the problems are linked to the use of pumps which may damage the crops. More specifically, the damage to the crops is due to the movement of the mechanical parts which can stress or damage the crop, inhibiting or slowing down its growth.
• the step of harvesting the algae is very delicate as well as complex and expensive.
• the manual collection is to be avoided as it would mean having to open the system and thereby make it vulnerable to possible external contamination by infesting algae or parasites and loss of CO 2 if used in the system.
• Simply filters are often not sufficient as they quickly suffer from clogging problems.
• coagulation and flocculation is used by means of special chemical components, but these processes may affect uses such as nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and livestock.
• movement of the system is avoided for several hours whilst waiting until the algae flocculates by itself or is deposited on the bottom before being harvested. This system is economically very unsustainable.
• many harvesting methods limit the possibility of re-use of the solution which is still rich in nutrients which can still be re-used and which, on the contrary, becomes a cost as they must be disposed of.
• the direct sunlight may, in some cases, inhibit or slow down the optimum growth of the algae. Moreover, it is not a directly controllable factor due to weather conditions and changes to the length of the day linked to geographical and climatic factors.
• the artificial light allows the possibility of being constant throughout the year, makes it possible to fix and maintain constant parameters such as exposure hours, wavelengths and luminous intensity.
• the introduction of the LED lighting also reduces the charge of electric current absorbed and the heat transferred to the system, but if not well designed it can have, however, a significant cost.
• the optimum growth of the algae is often obstructed by the parasol effect of the algae, which screen the light and inhibit the photosynthesis of the individuals in a shadow position (for example, the innermost portion of the photobioreactor). For this reason, the positioning of the lights and the agitation of the crop is fundamental.
• the technical purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air which is able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
• the aim of the invention is therefore to provide a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air which is able to capture and monitor the CO 2 in an energy sustainable manner.
• a further aim of the invention is to provide a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air which is able to cultivate algal biomass in any type of climatic condition, at any latitude and during any time of the year.
• a further aim of the invention is to provide a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of the air which is able to move the culture liquid with low energy consumption.
• a further aim of the invention is to provide a photobioreactor for cultivation of algal biomass and/or air purification which allows an easy harvesting of the product.
• a further aim of the invention is to provide a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air which allows a reduced use of water compared with traditional cultivations.
• a further aim of the invention is to provide a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air which allows an easy installation also on marginal ground, in sheds, on polluting soil and the like avoiding the use of virgin or productive land.
• a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for the purification of air comprising a main structure defined by a transparent inner cylinder and defining a space for containing food and culture liquids, an external transparent cylinder concentric with the transparent inner cylinder and configured for containing energy consumption and thermal changes and a reinforcing structure interposed between the inner and outer cylinder and comprising a vertical lighting system.
• the photobioreactor also comprises a base portion forming a resting element for the main structure and comprising a valve for discharging the liquid contained in the inner cylinder, nozzles for blowing CO 2 in the containment space and a system for climate control of the main structure.
• the photobioreactor also comprises an upper structure for the hermetic closing of the main structure and configured for supporting lighting bulbs extending along the containment space, a cleaning system for said lighting bulbs and said inner cylinder, a system for expelling air, a collection system for the biomass and a conduit for supplying the culture liquid.
• Figure 1 is a schematic view from below of the photobioreactor according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view from the side of the photobioreactor according to the invention.
• Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of components of the photobioreactor according to the invention.
• photobioreactor 1 denotes in its entirety a photobioreactor for the cultivation of algal biomass and/or for purifying the air which, for simplicity of description, will hereafter be referred to as photobioreactor 1.
• the photobioreactor 1 comprises a main structure 2 defined by a transparent inner cylinder 2a defining a containment space for foods and culture liquids and by an outer cylinder 2b which is transparent and concentric to the inner cylinder 2a and is configured to contain energy consumption and thermal changes.
• the inner cylinder 2a and the outer cylinder 2b are made of a plastic material. Even more preferably, the inner 2a and the outer 2b cylinders are made of UHMW polyethylene or polypropylene.
• the UHMW polyethylene does not absorb water or liquids; in fact, it is affected only by oxidising acids such as nitric acid, sulphuric acid and halogens. Due to its non-toxic and low water absorption properties, it is widely used in the food sector. It is normally used with temperatures between - 40°C and + 80°C. Since it is a material which can be easily welded, it is characterised by a high impact resistance (even at low temperatures) and low friction coefficient with excellent non-stick properties, which facilitates cleaning and reduces the risk of formation of patinas.
• polypropylene can be used, which is equally resistant to bases and acids and is suitable for use with food products, but has much lower performance levels from the mechanical point of view, in terms of roughness and transparency.
• the main structure 2 is also defined by (that is, it comprises) a reinforcing structure 3 interposed between the inner cylinder 2a and the outer cylinder 2b.
• the reinforcing structure 3 comprises a vertical lighting system for the containment space.
• the reinforcing structure 3 comprises LED lights or other similar luminous elements which are useful for the growth of the algal biomasses.
• the reinforcing structure 3 comprises a plurality of dusk/dawn sensors for controlling an adjustment of the vertical lighting system.
• the dusk/dawn sensors are therefore configured to detect an external light and send a control signal to adjust an intensity of the lighting system (if not even switch it off) as a function of the external light. In this way, it is also possible to use natural light in order save on the light of the lamps.
• the photobioreactor 1 is of the column type extending vertically and comprises the two inner 2a and outer 2b cylinders made of transparent plastic and concentric with each other.
• the inner cylinder 2a is made of material designed to contain the food products and is designed to contain the culture liquid.
• the inner cylinder 2a has a thickness suitable to withstand the hydrodynamic thrust of the contents of the containment space.
• the purpose of the outer cylinder 2b is to isolate the system in order to reduce energy consumption and thermal changes.
• the inner cylinder 2a and the outer cylinder 2b are spaced from each other to form a hollow space containing the reinforcement frame 3 equipped with the vertical lighting system. In other words, the vertical lighting system is integrated with the reinforcing structure 3.
• the two cylinders 2a and 2b are divided into horizontal sectors which are designed to stiffen the structure and allow the photobioreactor 1 to be modulated in height according to the requirements of the production process and the spaces available.
• the photobioreactor 1 also comprises a base portion 4 defining a support for the main structure.
• the base portion 4 comprises a valve 4a for discharging the liquid contained in the inner cylinder 2a.
• the base portion 4 comprises a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the first inner cylinder 2a and the discharge valve 4a is configured for opening or closing depending on whether it is necessary to discharge (that is, recover) the liquid contained inside the photobioreactor 1.
• the base portion 4 also comprises nozzles for blowing CO2 into the containment space and a climate control system of the main structure 2.
• the accompanying drawings do not show the nozzles but can be located or installable, as for example shown in Figure 2, at the surface "P".
• the climate control system of the base portion comprises a heat exchanger (not illustrated) and a plurality of coils for cooling or heating the main structure, that is, the air blown through the nozzles.
• the coils shown in the accompanying drawings, are denoted in their entirety by the numeral 5 which refers to the seat where the pipe is fixed in which the liquid for the climate control is passed.
• the coils 5 (that is, the structure within which they are enclosed) are extended to the base in order to distribute the load on the photobioreactor 1.
• the coils 5 perform the function of cooling and heating through a high efficiency heat exchanger.
• each coil 5, that is, the bottom of the photobioreactor 1 may have a larger angle in order to increase the heated surface.
• the coils 5 may extend with a predetermined inclination away from the central portion of the bottom of the photobioreactor 1 in such a way as to amplify the surface with which to exchange heat.
• the convexity of the bottom of the tank changes so as to allow a greater or lesser air conditioned surface depending on the climate.
• the base portion 4 also comprises a magnetic stirrer (not illustrated) for moving the culture liquid contained in the containment space.
• the photobioreactor 1 also comprises an upper structure 6 for hermetically closing the main structure 2 (that is, the inner cylinder 2a and of the outer cylinder 2b).
• the upper structure 6 is a plate for hermetically closing the two cylinders 2a and 2b.
• the upper structure 6 is also configured for supporting lighting bulbs 7 extending along the containment space (that is, along a height of the main structure 2), a cleaning system for the lighting bulbs 7 and for the inner cylinder 2a, a system for expelling air, a collection system for the biomass 10 and a conduit for supplying the culture liquid.
• dusk/dawn sensors are also configured to control an adjustment of the lighting bulbs 7.
• the upper structure 6 comprises an epicyclic gear 8 comprising an outer crown 8a configured for rotating wiper blades 9 of the cleaning system configured for cleaning the inner cylinder 2a, a sun gear 8b configured to support a central lighting bulb 7 and a plurality of satellite gears 8c each comprising support structures 8d configured for supporting respective lighting bulbs 7.
• the sun gear 8b and the satellite gears 8c are also configured for rotating respective wiper blades 9 of the cleaning system for the lighting bulbs 7.
• the cleaning system comprises the presence of a plurality of wiper blades 9 of which a part extends around and in contact with the lighting bulbs 7 and the remaining part is positioned in contact with the inner cylinder 2a (that is, with the inner surface of the inner cylinder 2a).
• the epicyclic gear 8 is therefore configured for rotating the wiper blades 9 and for rotating the lighting bulbs 7 inside the containment space.
• the cleaning system may also comprise a system for acid washing of the photobioreactor 1 which can be operated depending on the type of algae cultivated by the photobioreactor 1.
• each of the lighting bulbs 7 comprises, in a lower portion of the lighting bulb 7 facing towards the base portion 4, non-retum valves 7a for blowing cold CO 2 into the containment space.
• each illuminating bulb 7 may be equipped with a propeller 7b which, moved by the flow of air passing through it, allows the CO 2 to be better mixed inside the system.
• the lighting bulbs 7 are equipped with LEDs or other similar lights.
• the upper structure 6 comprises one or more sensors for measuring process parameters of the photobioreactor 1.
• the sensors can be selected from pH sensors, density sensors, temperature sensors, CO 2 sensors, resistivity sensors and liquid level sensors.
• the pH sensors make it possible to obtain information about the vital environment inside the photobioreactor 1 and provide indications on the state of the fertilisers.
• the density sensor makes it possible to obtain information on the density of the solution and, therefore, on the fertilisers and the number of organisms present in the solution in such a way as to also establish the harvesting time.
• the temperature sensor allows the management of the thermal system.
• the resistivity sensor also provides information on the state of the fertilisers.
• the level sensor provides information regarding the level of liquid inside the containment space in such a way as to adjust the resetting.
• the system for collecting the biomass 10 comprises a recovery conduit configured for partly emptying the photobioreactor 1.
• the air expulsion system comprises a solenoid vent valve for moving the oxygen away from the containment space.
• the vent valve is also configured for pressurising the containment space in common with the blowing nozzles (both of the base portion 4 and the non-return valves 7a of the lighting bulbs 7).
• the air expulsion system is configured for moving away the oxygen and any recovery of the CO 2 .
• the vent valve in the upper structure 6 allows the oxygen to be moved away which is formed thanks to the photosynthesis carried out by the micro-algae since it is highly toxic for the algal cultivation.
• the vent valve can prevent the escape of the gas and create an overpressure inside the photobioreactor 1; this operation will be necessary during the steps for harvesting the algae.
• a simple vapour seal is provided before the valve to condensate part of the humidity of the air in order to recover the water and prevent continuous topping up of water and changes in the salinity and pH inside the culture liquid. Since the air exiting from the photobioreactor 1 is rich in oxygen, this can be used in oxidative processes, such as, for example, aerobic composting of the biomasses.
• the recovery of residual oxygen and carbon dioxide may be provided on large systems.
• the CO 2 recovered could be reintroduced in the photobioreactor 1, whilst oxygen and hydrogen can be recovered and used.
• the upper structure 6 therefore guarantees that the system is isolated and sealed, so as to prevent the escape of CO 2 and evaporation of the culture liquid which would alter its salinity and PH.
• the upper structure 6 also prevents external contamination from elements such as dust, spores, mould, algae, insects and insects.
• the system for collecting the biomass 10 consists of a solenoid valve which hermetically closes the photobioreactor 1 whilst the CO 2 is blown from the bottom. A pressure is therefore created inside the system which is such that the culture liquid full of algal mass fills the collection conduit and causes the partial emptying of the photobioreactor 1. The liquid which escapes is conveyed into the collection tank where the algal mass is separated from the culture liquid and collected.
• the photobioreactor 1 also comprises a control system designed to control the photobioreactor 1.
• the control system is a programmable logic controller configured to manage the collection of the product and the restoring of the optimum conditions for growth of the crop.
• the control system is able to communicate with the sensors and the various components of the photobioreactor 1 to obtain all the information relating to the status of the system and to be able to intervene promptly to maintain a high level of crop quality.
• the use of the photobioreactor 1 makes it possible to increase the productivity of algal biomass crops with concentrations which can reach up to 10 grams (dry product) compared with the 0.35 g/1 of traditional cultivation methods.
• the photobioreactor 1 allows standards of quality and safety of the biomass produced to be reached which cannot be obtained with traditional methods, which are always subject to contamination by moulds, spores, pollutants, parasitic algae and insects.
• the photobioreactor 1 allows production even in the absence of direct sunlight, with adverse weather conditions and guaranteeing productivity during the entire year.
• the photobioreactor 1 allows efficient use of the CO 2 (more than 80% of that blown is absorbed and used by the biomass, compared with 35% of the that absorbed in open systems such as open ponds).
• the photobioreactor allows a land occupation with a very limited impact.
• the use of the water is drastically reduced thanks to the climate control system which makes it possible to avoid the consumption of water linked to evaporation during the hottest hours of the day, which is a phenomena which affects the salinity and pH and therefore the quality of the end product.
• the invention is able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art since the photobioreactor 1 makes it possible to capture and use the CO 2 in an energy efficient and sustainable manner in any type of climate and to be able to locally cultivate algal biomass at any latitude and at any time of the year.
• the invention allows the energy consumption for moving the culture liquid to be kept low.
• the invention also allows an easy collection of the product and simplified routine cleaning operations of the photobioreactor 1.
• the invention makes it possible to use the CO 2 , deriving from industrial processes, as a primary source of carbon in place of the more common carbonates, thus improving the growth factor of the cultivations and at the same time contributing to the fight against climate change.
• the photobioreactor 1 is suitably insulated to minimise thermal losses and therefore prevent waste of water, for example in the summer.
• the photobioreactor 1 is modular and may be mounted on several levels to minimise the area on the ground.
• the harvesting step has been designed in such a way that opening of the photobioreactors is not necessary at any time; this prevents contamination of the micro-algae colony with other parasitic algae, moulds or predatory insects.
• the culture liquid can be regenerated and re-used for various growing cycles before being disposed of, thus reducing the use of fertilisers, water resources and electricity.

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• 2020
  • 2020-11-20 IT IT102020000027852A patent/IT202000027852A1/it unknown
• 2021
  • 2021-03-26 WO PCT/IB2021/052511 patent/WO2022106906A1/en active Application Filing

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