System and method of stimulating ethanol production and growth of aquatic plants

Abstract

Methods and systems for growing aquatic plants and collecting, purifying, and/or extracting ethanol produced during anaerobic metabolism by aquatic plants are provided. The system includes a cell containing water and an aquatic plant, an ethanol extraction assembly in fluid communication with the cell for removing ethanol from the water. Ethanol is released by the aquatic plant by initiating an anaerobic process in the plant such as by regulating the photosynthesis inducing light that reaches the aquatic plant.

1 . An ethanol production and collection system comprising:
 a. a cell including water and at least one aquatic plant therein;   b. an ethanol removal assembly in fluid communication with said cell for removing ethanol from said water; and   c. a photosynthetic light regulating system configured to inhibit photosynthesis in said aquatic plant.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said photosynthetic light regulating system includes a light barrier configured to inhibit photosynthesis inducing light from reaching said aquatic plant. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said light barrier is removable to selectively allow photosynthesis inducing light to reach said at least one aquatic plant. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said photosynthetic light regulating system includes a dwelling, dome or other structure positioned between the cell and a photosynthesis inducing light source. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said photosynthetic light regulating system includes an artificial light source. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including one or more sealing barriers to inhibit the introduction of oxygen into said cell. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further including an oxygen removal apparatus in fluid communication with the cell to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the water. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a circulation loop in fluid communication with the cell to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the water. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further including one or more sealing barriers to prevent the introduction of oxygen into said cell and an oxygen removal apparatus in fluid communication with the cell to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the water. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising anoxic water in fluid communication with the cell. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said ethanol removal assembly comprises an gas stripper, a distiller, a condenser, a molecular sieve or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an access point for allowing additives to be introduced to water in the system without exposure to an outside atmosphere. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a water agitation system in communication with the cell. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the water agitation system is fluidly coupled with a circulation loop. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a heat source in thermal communication with said cell to regulate the temperature of said water in said cell. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said heat source includes a heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said heat source includes waste heat from an ethanol processing plant, geothermal energy, or solar energy. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said heat source includes a water from a waste treatment facility in thermal communication with the cell. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system comprises a plurality of cells. 
     
     
         20 . An ethanol production and collection system comprising:
 a. a cell including water and at least one aquatic plant therein;   b. an ethanol removal assembly in fluid communication with said cell for removing ethanol from the water; and   c. means for regulating photosynthesis inducing light allowed to reach said at least one aquatic plant.