V-Trough Photobioreactor System and Method of Use

Abstract

Disclosed herein are photobioreactor systems for high productivity aquaculture or aquafarming for growing of algae or other organisms in an aquatic environment featuring aspects that favor improved growth rates by achieving control over the contents of the growth medium, including carbon source, nitrogen source, and essential trace elements necessary for growth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photobioreactor, comprising:
 a) a cavity defined by:
 i) a substantially V-shaped base comprising two base walls, said base walls meeting proximate to an axis defining an interior angle, each base wall comprising:
 1) a sloped portion and a substantially vertical portion; 
 2) a proximal end and a distal end; and 
 3) a length extending along said axis and a width extending perpendicular to said axis; 
 
 ii) a proximal side wall adjacent to said proximal end; and 
 iii) a distal side wall adjacent to said distal end; 
   b) at least one gas delivery system disposed within said cavity and extending parallel to said axis; and   c) at least one carbon dioxide delivery system disposed within said cavity and extending parallel to said axis.   
     
     
         2 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein said base walls comprise a curved transition between said sloped portion and said substantially vertical portion. 
     
     
         3 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner disposed within said cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein said interior angle is between about 60 and about 140 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a harvesting aperture through at least a portion of said proximal side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a nutrient injection system. 
     
     
         7 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein said gas delivery system comprises a line comprising a plurality of disposed orifices along its length to provide congruent pressure for even gas dispersion. 
     
     
         8 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein said gas delivery system comprises a line comprising a plurality of orifices disposed along its length, said orifices comprising a major dimension ranging between about 1 mm and about 5 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein said carbon dioxide delivery system comprises a line comprising a plurality of orifices disposed along its length, said orifices comprising a major dimension ranging between about 0.001 microns and about 1 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a slope from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         11 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover. 
     
     
         12 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure, wherein at least a portion of said base walls and/or said side wall are disposed on top of said support structure. 
     
     
         13 . The photobioreactor of  claim 1 , further comprising a culture medium comprising biomaterials disposed within said cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The photobioreactor of  claim 7 , wherein said orifices comprise at least one of perforations, pores, injection points, or apertures. 
     
     
         15 . The photobioreactor of  claim 8 , wherein said orifices comprise at least one of perforations, pores, injection points, or apertures. 
     
     
         16 . The photobioreactor of  claim 9 , wherein said orifices comprise at least one of perforations, pores, injection points, or apertures. 
     
     
         17 . The photobioreactor of  claim 11 , said cover further comprising a glazing material fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, lexan, polycarbonate, clear vinyl, clear polyvinyl chloride, glass, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The photobioreactor of  claim 12 , wherein said support structure comprises HDPE. 
     
     
         19 . The photobioreactor of  claim 12 , wherein said support structure comprises foam. 
     
     
         20 . The photobioreactor of  claim 12 , wherein said support structure is capable of disassembly and stacking. 
     
     
         21 . The photobioreactor of  claim 12 , further comprising foam insulation disposed adjacent to at least a portion of said base walls and/or said side walls on a side opposite said cavity. 
     
     
         22 . The photobioreactor of  claim 12 , wherein said support structure is installed in the ground. 
     
     
         23 . The photobioreactor of  claim 13 , wherein said culture medium has a stable pH. 
     
     
         24 . The photobioreactor of  claim 13 , wherein said biomaterials are harvested from said culture medium via a gravity line. 
     
     
         25 . The photobioreactor of  claim 13 , wherein a flow of gas exiting said gas delivery system provides for a mixing rate of said culture medium. 
     
     
         26 . The photobioreactor of  claim 13 , wherein said culture medium is driven from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         27 . The photobioreactor of  claim 13 , wherein said gas and carbon dioxide delivery systems are used in conjunction with pH buffers for stabilizing the pH of said culture medium. 
     
     
         28 . The photobioreactor of  claim 21 , wherein said foam insulation comprises said support structure. 
     
     
         29 . The photobioreactor of  claim 25 , further comprising a slope from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said slope and said mixing rate drive said culture medium in a direction from said proximal end to said distal end. 
     
     
         30 . A kit for assembling a photobioreactor, comprising:
 a) two base walls;   b) a proximal side wall;   c) a distal side wall; and   d) a first liner capable of being folded, collapsed, or rolled up;   which, when assembled into a photobioreactor, comprises a cavity defined by:
 i) a substantially V-shaped base comprising said base walls, said base walls meeting proximate to an axis defining an interior angle, each base wall comprising:
 1) a sloped portion and a substantially vertical portion; 
 2) a proximal end and a distal end; and 
 3) a length extending along said axis and a width extending perpendicular to said axis; 
 
 ii) said proximal side wall, disposed adjacent to said proximal end; and 
 iii) said distal side wall, disposed adjacent to said distal end. 
   
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 30 , wherein said base walls and side walls comprise foam blocks. 
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 30 , further comprising a second liner which, when assembled, at least partially contains said base walls and said side walls. 
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein said first and said second liners are folded, collapsed, or rolled up, and said support structure is disassembled. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein said first and said second liners are secured to one another. 
     
     
         35 . A method of producing a biomass comprising:
 a) dispensing a biomass culture medium in a photobioreactor, the photobioreactor comprising:
 i) a cavity defined by:
 1) a substantially V-shaped base comprising two base walls, said base walls meeting proximate to an axis defining an interior angle, each base wall comprising:
 A) a sloped portion and a substantially vertical portion; 
 B) a proximal end and a distal end; and 
 C) a length extending along said axis and a width extending perpendicular to said axis; 
 
 2) a proximal side wall adjacent to said proximal end; 
 3) a distal side wall adjacent to said distal end; 
 
 ii) at least one gas delivery system disposed within said cavity and extending parallel to said axis; and 
 iii) at least one carbon dioxide delivery system disposed within said cavity and extending parallel to said axis. 
   b) supplying a gas through said gas delivery system, producing bubbles having diameters between about 1 and about 3 mm; and   c) supplying carbon dioxide through said carbon dioxide delivery system, producing bubbles having diameters between about 0.001 and about 500 microns.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein solids are substantially prevented from settling by flow of gas exiting said gas delivery system. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising operating an ozone sensor and control system such that ozone levels in said culture medium are maintained between about 0.5 and about 1 mg/mL.