Method and apparatus for removal of algal biomass from large-scale algal biomass production systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for harvesting algal growth on an algal growth medium that is arranged within a floway containing water. A cable coupled to the algal growth medium is pulled by a pulling unit to draw the algal growth medium along the floway and past a vacuum positioned adjacent the algal growth medium. Suction from the vacuum is used to remove or harvest the algal growth on the algal growth medium.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . An algal harvesting system comprising;
 a floway containing water;   an algal growth medium arranged within the floway;   a vacuum head position adjacent the algal growth medium and within the floway and adapted to have suction applied to remove algal growth from the algal growth medium; and   a pulling unit within the floway coupled to the algal growth medium, the pulling unit being operable to pull the algal growth medium past the vacuum.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable coupled to the pulling unit and to the algal growth medium, wherein the pulling unit pulls the cable. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a floway having a first end and a second end. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a first roller at the first end and a second roller at the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a belt within the floway, the belt extending from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a return belt within the floway and beneath the belt, the return belt extending from the first end to the second end and passing around the first and second rollers to connect to the belt at the first and second ends. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the belt has the algal growth medium on one side. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein a first portion of the belt passes beneath a second portion of the belt as the pulling unit pulls the algal growth medium past the vacuum. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the return belt passes around the first roller as the pulling unit pulls the algal growth medium past the vacuum. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the belt passes around the second roller as the pulling unit pulls the algal growth medium past the vacuum. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pulling unit is reel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a positioning brace coupled to the reel, the positioning brace positioning the reel to accept the algal growth medium. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the algal growth medium is pulled around the reel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum is positioned adjacent the reel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of rollers positioned adjacent to the vacuum, the rollers positioning the vacuum to remove the algal growth from the algal growth medium. 
     
     
         16 . An algal harvesting system comprising;
 a reel mounted on a vehicle, the height and winding speed of the reel being adjustable;   a positioning brace coupled to the reel, the positioning brace positioning the reel to accept an algal growth medium from a first end of a floway;   a vacuum positioned next to the reel and coupled to the vehicle, the position and the force of the suction being adjustable;   a plurality of rollers positioned adjacent to the vacuum, the rollers positioning the vacuum to remove algal growth from the algal growth medium; and   a rotatably adjustable cable winder positioned next to the reel, the reel pulling the algal growth medium from the floway and the cable winder pulling the algal growth medium back on to the floway.