Photobioreactor and a process for enhancing growth of photosynthetic organisms

Abstract

A photobioreactor apparatus in which a reaction chamber contains a slurry of water, nutrients and photosynthetic organisms. The sidewall of the reaction chamber is constructed of translucent material, thereby permitting light to be conveyed into the slurry to promote photosynthesis. The interior of the reaction chamber is in fluid communication with a gas dispenser. A lift member is disposed in the reaction chamber and gas is introduced in the slurry beneath the lift member, thereby providing buoyancy to lift the lift member, thereby providing agitation and movement of the slurry within the photobioreactor and enhancing growth of photosynthetic organisms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of growing organisms, the method comprising:
 (a) disposing a slurry comprising liquid and photosynthetic organisms in a reaction chamber having a sidewall;   (b) disposing a lift member within said reaction chamber; and   (c) lifting of said lift member by selectively introducing pressurized gas into said reaction chamber below said lift member, thereby providing agitation and movement of the slurry within the photobioreactor and enhancing growth of photosynthetic organisms.   
     
     
         2 . The method of growing organisms of  claim 1 , further comprising lowering of said lift member by selectively releasing pressurized gas from below said lift member, thereby providing agitation and movement of the slurry within the photobioreactor and enhancing growth of photosynthetic organisms. 
     
     
         3 . The method of growing organisms of  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall of said reaction chamber is transparent. 
     
     
         4 . The method of growing organisms of  claim 2 , wherein said sidewall of said reaction chamber is transparent.