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 . A system comprising:
 a cell;   at least one aquatic plant in the cell;   a lower water layer in the cell comprising anoxic water to facilitate growth of the at least one aquatic plant;   an upper water layer in the cell comprising oxygenated water to facilitate carbohydrate production by the at least one aquatic plant; and   a water movement system configured to move water through the cell.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a thermal strata separates the upper water layer from the lower water layer, the upper water layer being warmer than the lower water layer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water movement system comprises a water circulation loop configured to remove water from the cell and introduce water to the cell. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the water circulation loop includes an access point configured to introduce at least one additive to water in the water circulation loop and outside of the cell. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of: nutrients; antibiotics, algaecides, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and yeast. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the water circulation loop includes an ethanol removal assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the water circulation loop includes an oxygen removal assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate in the cell, the at least one aquatic plant having a root portion anchored to the substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cell has a depth of about 10 cm to about 20 m. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aquatic plant is submerged in water in the cell. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aquatic plant belongs to a plant family selected from the group consisting of Potamogetonaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Haloragaceae, and Ruppiaceae. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aquatic plant comprises a submersed aquatic herb selected from the group consisting of  Stuckenia pectinata, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton distintcus, Potamogeton nodosus, Ruppia maitima, Myriophyllum spicatum, Hydrilla verticillate, Elodea densa, Hippuris vulgaris, Aponogeton boivinianus, Aponogeton rigidifolius, Aponogeton longiplumulosus, Didiplis diandra, Vesicularia dubyana, Hygrophilia augustifolia, Micranthemum umbrosum, Eichhornia azurea, Saururus cernuus, Cryptocoryne lingua, Hydrotriche hottoniiflora, Eustralis stellata, Vallisneria rubra, Hygrophila salicifolia, Cyperus helferi, Cryptocoryne petchii, Vallisneria americana, Vallisneria torta, Hydrotriche hottoniiflora, Crassula helmsii, Limnophila sessiliflora, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Rotala wallichii, Cryptocoryne becketii, Blyxa aubertii  and  Hygrophila difformmis.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the submersed aquatic herb comprises  Stuckenia pectinata.    
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a biochemical industrial facility that uses waste from the at least one aquatic plant. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the biochemical industrial facility comprises one of a biofuel, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, colorant, and paint facility. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a first cell containing at least one aquatic plant and oxygenated water to facilitate an aerobic metabolic process in the at least one aquatic plant in the first cell;   a second cell containing at least one aquatic plant and anoxic water to facilitate an anaerobic metabolic process in the at least one aquatic plant in the second cell; and   at least one fluid conduit between the first cell and the second cell to exchange the oxygenated water and the anoxic water between the first cell and the second cell.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises:
 a first conduit that directs water from the first cell to the second cell; and   a second conduit that directs water from the second cell to the first cell.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first light barrier that is associated with the first cell; and   a second light barrier that is associated with the second cell.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one fluid conduit includes a particulate filter. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a water circulation loop in fluid communication with the first cell and the second cell. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the water circulation loop includes an ethanol removal assembly in fluid communication with the second cell to receive water and ethanol from the second cell. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the ethanol removal assembly is in fluid communication with the first cell to return the water to the first cell after removing the ethanol. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the water circulation loop includes:
 an aerator in fluid communication with the first cell to direct oxygenated water to the first cell; and   an oxygen removal assembly in fluid communication with the second cell to direct anoxic water o the second cell.