Photobioreactor

Abstract

A photobioreactor system may include a one or more fluidly connectable tubes for growing or producing microorganisms or biomass such as microalgae. The system may include either a single tube loop or an array of tubes. A first fluid may be held in the tube or tubes, and an inlet port may be provided for introducing a second fluid into the tube or tubes. The tube or tubes may be arranged vertically so that the second fluid rises through the tube or tubes. An outlet port may be provided at the top of the tube or tubes to remove the second fluid. The second fluid may be recirculated through the system via inlet and outlet lines as well as a pump and a replaceable reservoir for holding the second fluid. Where there is an array of tubes, a single inlet and outlet line may be sued for each tube.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A photobioreactor system for growing a biomass, the system comprising:
 a first tube oriented in a substantially vertical direction, the first tube substantially elongate and having opposed first and second ends;   a second tube oriented in a substantially vertical direction, the second tube substantially elongate and having first and second ends, an upper end tube connecting the first ends of the first and second tubes and a lower end tube connecting the second ends of the first and second tubes, wherein the first tube, the second tube, the upper tube, and the lower tube collectively establish a closed loop system;   a first lower adapter fitted to the lower end tube; and   a first upper adapter fitted to the upper end tube;   wherein the first lower adapter operates as a gas inlet for introducing a gas into the first tube.   
     
     
         2 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the first lower adapter and a gas source, the pump operable to supply the gas to the first lower adapter. 
     
     
         3 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 2 , wherein the gas source is the atmosphere and the gas is atmospheric air. 
     
     
         4 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 2 , further comprising a reservoir tank for holding the gas, the reservoir tank in fluid communication with the first lower adapter and the first upper adapter, the pump operable to circulate the gas from the reservoir tank, to the first lower adapter, to the first upper adapter, and back to the reservoir tank. 
     
     
         5 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 4 , further comprising a particle filter provided at the first upper adapter for reducing loss of biomass into the first upper adapter. 
     
     
         6 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 4 , further comprising a second upper adapter fitted to the upper end tube, the second upper adapter operable to introduce nutrients. 
     
     
         7 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 6 , wherein the second upper adapter is a Y-adapter operable to allow two substances to pass through the second upper adapter. 
     
     
         8 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 4 , further comprising a second lower adapter fitted to the lower end tube, the second lower adapter operable to remove biomass. 
     
     
         9 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 4 , wherein the first upper adapter and the first lower adapter each include a valve. 
     
     
         10 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one valve is electronically operated by a control station. 
     
     
         11 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one valve further includes a sensor, and the control station is operable to monitor each sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 11 , wherein the control station monitors at least one of the following parameters of the photobioreactor system: biomass concentration, cholorophyll concentration, dissolved nutrients and dissolved gas. 
     
     
         13 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 4 , wherein the upper end tube and the lower end tube are each U-bends. 
     
     
         14 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 4 , wherein the first tube includes a spiral insert. 
     
     
         15 . A photobioreactor system for growing a biomass, the system comprising:
 a first tube oriented in a substantially vertical direction, the first tube substantially elongate and having opposed first and second ends;   a second tube oriented in a substantially vertical direction, the second tube substantially elongate and having first and second ends, an upper end tube connecting the first ends of the first and second tubes and a lower end tube connecting the second ends of the first and second tubes, wherein the first tube, the second tube, the upper tube, and the lower tube collectively establish a closed loop system;   a first lower adapter fitted to the lower end tube operable as a gas inlet for introducing a gas into the closed loop system;   a first upper adapter fitted to the upper end tube operable as a gas outlet for removing the gas from the closed loop system;   a pump in fluid communication with the first lower adapter and a reservoir tank, the pump operable to circulate the gas from the reservoir tank, to the first lower adapter, to the first upper adapter, and back to the reservoir tank;   a particle filter provided at the first upper adapter for reducing loss of biomass into the first upper adapter;   a second upper adapter fitted to the upper end tube and operable to introduce nutrients into the closed loop system; and   a second lower adapter fitted to the lower end tube and operable to remove biomass from the closed loop system;   wherein the first upper adapter and the first lower adapter each include a valve, and   wherein the upper end tube and the lower end tube are each U-bends.   
     
     
         16 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one valve is electronically operated by a control station and includes a sensor, and
 wherein the control station monitors at least one of the following parameters of the photobioreactor system: biomass concentration, cholorophyll concentration, dissolved nutrients and dissolved gas.   
     
     
         17 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 15 , wherein the first tube includes a spiral insert. 
     
     
         18 . The photobioreactor system of  claim 15 , wherein the second upper adapter is a Y-adapter operable to allow two substances to pass through the second upper adapter.