WO2005006838A2 - Flat panel photobioreactor - Google Patents

Flat panel photobioreactor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005006838A2
WO2005006838A2 PCT/IL2004/000666 IL2004000666W WO2005006838A2 WO 2005006838 A2 WO2005006838 A2 WO 2005006838A2 IL 2004000666 W IL2004000666 W IL 2004000666W WO 2005006838 A2 WO2005006838 A2 WO 2005006838A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
photobioreactor according
algae
photobioreactor
structural element
alga
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2004/000666
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2005006838A3 (en
Inventor
Sammy Boussiba
Aliza Zarka
Original Assignee
Ben-Gurion University Of The Negev
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ben-Gurion University Of The Negev filed Critical Ben-Gurion University Of The Negev
Publication of WO2005006838A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005006838A2/en
Publication of WO2005006838A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005006838A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N1/00—Microorganisms, e.g. protozoa; Compositions thereof; Processes of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereof; Processes of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganism; Culture media therefor
    • C12N1/12—Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00—Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/02—Photobioreactors
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/02—Form or structure of the vessel
    • C12M23/14—Bags
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/28—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges disposable or single use
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/44—Multiple separable units; Modules
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/48—Holding appliances; Racks; Supports
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/58—Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M37/00—Means for sterilizing, maintaining sterile conditions or avoiding chemical or biological contamination
    • C12M37/02—Filters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M41/00—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
    • C12M41/12—Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of temperature
    • C12M41/18—Heat exchange systems, e.g. heat jackets or outer envelopes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a panel photobioreactor for the cultivation of various types of microalgae difficult to cultivate due to contamination problems, which are a major drawback in large-scale production of algae with commercial value.
  • Chlorella grows well in nutrient-rich media
  • Spirulina requires a high pH and bicarbonate concentration
  • D. salina grows at very high salinity (Soong, 1980, Ibid.; Boworitzka, M.A. and Borowitzka, L.J. 1988, Dunaliella, In: Boworitzka, M.A. and Borowitzka, L.J. (Eds.), Microalgal Biotechnology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp.
  • the invention provides a flat panel photobioreactor (FPP) comprising a disposable non- structural element for holding liquid medium for algae cultivation, said element being translucent or transparent; a hollow, cage- like, structure component, which is mechanically stable, and which is essentially non deformable, penetrable for light, capable of supporting said non-structural element; and an aeration system.
  • FPP flat panel photobioreactor
  • Said structure component is preferably a cage having essentially a shape of a panel, or a rectangular prism with one of the dimensions much lower than the other two, whose faces are formed by a lattice made of a solid material or by a wire network.
  • Said non-structure element is preferably at least one plastic bag inserted in said cage.
  • Said aeration system preferably comprises tubing inserted to said plastic bag near to its bottom.
  • the non- structural element and the structure component, forming said flat panel photobioreactor should withstand the pressure of said liquid medium, and should be stable enough to support the aeration and heat-exchange accessories, and they should allow sufficient light to enter to said medium for the photocultivation of algae.
  • Said heat- exchange unit preferably comprises circulating heating or cooling liquid in pressurized tubing that is in contact with said cultivation medium.
  • the photobioreactor of this invention is used for the cultivation of algae, comprising marine algae, such as Skeletonema, Chaetoceros, Thalassiosira, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Nanochloropsis, and C. cohnii, or fresh water algae, such as Haematococcus and Chlamydomonas.
  • a plurality of the FPPs, arranged in arrays, can provide any required scale of cultivation.
  • Fig. 1 (A and B) actual photographs showing a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the flow system, including heating and cooling, filling and harvesting and air mixing piping, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows exemplary dimensions of apparatus according to one particular preferred embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 4 is a scheme showing a plant built with a plurality of photobioreactors according to the invention, in top view (Fig. 4A) and perspective elevated view (Fig. 4B).
  • the flat panel photobioreactor of this invention consists of a structure component which is capable of supporting a non- structural water -holding element while allowing sufficient light to pass through aqueous medium held in said non- structural elements.
  • Said structure component termed hereinafter “a cage”, is seen in Figs. 1A and IB, having illustrative dimensions of: length of ca. 2 m and with an opening of 5-6 cm.
  • any dimensions given herein are an example and are not intended to limit the invention in any way, it being understood that the invention can be carried out using elements of any suitable dimension.
  • plastic bags which are the non- structural medium-holding elements
  • Components of the reactor may include sealed plastic bags, for example about. 0.2 mm thick; an inlet of a tube of PVC inserted in the bottom of the bag for aeration, and an aeration outlet provided with means ensuring the sterility of the medium; a heating exchange unit plunged into the bag for temperature control (for heating or cooling).
  • Fig. 2 which is self-explicative. Said bags may be disposed off after one or more cycles of cultivation.
  • FIG. 3 Illustrative dimensions for a particular system according to the invention are shown in Fig. 3.
  • the invention comprises a structure component which is capable of supporting a non- structural water -holding element while allowing sufficient light to pass through it.
  • the structure components and non-structural elements are designed so as to withstand the pressure of water.
  • At least one bag holding a liquid medium is contained in the structure; changes of the bag shape, caused by internal pressure of liquid, help to hold the bag in the structure.
  • Sealing means prevent the contamination of the cultivation medium by undesirable microorganisms.
  • Said means may comprise sterility filters and airtight inlets and connections of the tubing.
  • Fig. 4 shows a plant built with a plurality of photobioreactors according to the invention, in top view (Fig. 4A) and perspective elevated view (Fig. 4B).
  • the invention permits to grow algae effectively in large volumes.
  • FPP Flat Panel Photobioreactor
  • the Flat Panel Photobioreactor is simple to operate and can provide a sterile environment and can prevent the contamination.
  • FPP is a very efficient photobioreactor, avoiding flaws of the prior art structures, such as light limitations due to the physical properties of the reactor (long light path in big bags or cylinders, etc.).
  • Another advantage of FPP is its up-scaling capability, as well as the low-cost due to its simple construction and operation.
  • One FPP unit may be easily designed for volumes about from 100 liter to 1000 liter. More units may be linked to a plurality of reactors, forming a plant without capacity limitations, as is illustrated in the scheme in Fig. 4..
  • the FPP is the ideal means for the cultivation of all algae of commercial importance, and may be used with a special advantage, for example, for all microalgae hampered by contamination, such as fresh water Haematococcus and Chlamydomonas, or marine Chaetoceros, Tetraselmis and
  • Nanochloropsis provides superior cultivation means also for the algae which are cultivated in open systems, such as Spirulina, or Dunaliella. Examples
  • the cultivations were performed in the Negev Desert, Israel, in summer, when the days are typically cloudless.
  • a flat panel photobiorecator (FPP) was used, consisting of a cage-like structure component about 1.8 m long, 1.1 m high, and 5 cm thick, and a disposable element for holding the cultivation medium made of a polyethylene (PE) foil about 0.2 mm thick.
  • PE polyethylene
  • the faces of the cage were made of strong wire network, and the cage was further strengthened by steel bars, as can be seen in Fig. 1. (photo) or Fig. 2 (scheme).
  • Said disposable non- structural element was prepared from two PE rectangles by heat sealing, and was inserted to the cage, and during the cultivation contained about 100 liter of cultivation medium.
  • the required temperature was provided by a heat exchange system, comprising a thermostat, tubing with circulating water, and a unit heating or cooling said circulating water, the tubing being in contact with said medium.
  • Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the FPP arrangement.
  • a FPP as described above was filled with Zarouk medium, and was inoculated with Spirulina platensis, to about 0.5 g/liter.
  • the air was pumped into a tube placed near to the bottom of the reactor, to keep the alga in suspension, and the temperature was kept at 35°C.
  • the alga was allowed to grow for 5 days.
  • a microscopic check showed an essentially pure culture. The yield was 4 g/1.
  • Example 2 A FPP as described above was filled with F2 medium, and was inoculated with Nanochloropsis salina to about 10 5 cells/ml. The air was pumped through a 0.2 ⁇ m filter into a tube placed near to the bottom of the reactor, to keep the alga in suspension, and the temperature was kept at 25°C. The alga was allowed to grow for 6 days. A microscopic check showed an essentially pure culture. The yield was 10 9 cells/ml. While the invention has been described using some specific examples, many modifications and variations are possible. It is therefore understood that the invention is not intended to be limited in any way, other than by the scope of the appended claims.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Cell Biology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Tropical Medicine & Parasitology (AREA)
  • Virology (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Seaweed (AREA)
  • Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a photobioreactor for cultivating algae comprising a disposable element for holding the cultivation medium and a cage-like component supporting the disposable element. The algae may comprise both marine and fresh water algae. The photobioreactor is especially advantageous for algae which are difficult to cultivate due to contamination problems.

Description

FLAT PANEL PHOTOBIOREACTOR
Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to a panel photobioreactor for the cultivation of various types of microalgae difficult to cultivate due to contamination problems, which are a major drawback in large-scale production of algae with commercial value.
Background of the Invention
Existing commercial microalgae culture systems range in volume from about 102 to > 1010 liter. However, aside from the specialized small-scale (<1000 liter) culture systems, four types of culture systems predominate: large open ponds, circular ponds with a rotating arm to mix the cultures, raceway ponds and large bags. Other commercial large-scale systems include tanks used in aquaculture, the cascade system developed in Trebon, Czech Republic [Setlik, I., Veladimir, S. and Malek, I. 1970: Dual purpose open circulation units for large scale culture of algae in temperate zones, I. Basic design considerations and scheme of pilot plant, Algol. Stud. (Trebon), 1:11] and heterotrophic fermentor systems used for the culture of Chlorella in Japan and Taiwan [Kawaguchi, K. 1980: Microalgae production systems in Asia, In: Shelef, G., Soeder, C.J. (Eds.), Algae Biomass Production and Use, Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp. 25-33; Soong, P. 1980: Production and development of Chlorella and Spirulina in Taiwan, In: Shelef, G., Soeder, C.J. (Eds.), Algae Biomass, Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, pp. 97-113].
There are several considerations as to which culture system to use. Factors to be considered include: the biology of the alga, the cost of land, labor, energy, water, nutrients, climate (if the culture is outdoors) and the type of final product [Borowitzka, M.A. 1992, Algal biotechnology products and processes: matching science and economics, J. Appl. Phycol. 4: 267-79] The various large-scale culture systems also need to be compared according to their basic properties such as their light utilization efficiency, ability to control temperature, the hydrodynamic stress placed on the algae, the ability to maintain the culture unialgal and/or axenic, and how easy they are to scale up from laboratory scale to large-scale.
An important factor is the problem of contamination. A highly selective environment, used in many algal species currently produced commercially (i.e. Chlorella, Spirulina and Dunaliella), suppresses contaminations by other algae and protozoa, and enables growing in open air cultures. For example, Chlorella grows well in nutrient-rich media, Spirulina requires a high pH and bicarbonate concentration, and D. salina grows at very high salinity (Soong, 1980, Ibid.; Boworitzka, M.A. and Borowitzka, L.J. 1988, Dunaliella, In: Boworitzka, M.A. and Borowitzka, L.J. (Eds.), Microalgal Biotechnology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 27-58; Belay, A, 1997, Mass culture of Spirulina outdoors — The Earthrise Farms Experience. In: Vonshak, A. (Ed.), Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira), Physiology, cell-biology and biotechnology. Taylor and Francis, London, pp. 131-158]. However, algal species not having the mentioned selective advantage must be grown in closed systems. This includes, among others, most of the marine algae grown as aquaculture feeds (e.g. Skeletonema, Chaetoceros, Thalassiosira, Tetraselmis and Isochrysis), and the dinoflagellate C. cohnii grown as a source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
It is an object of this invention to provide a novel photobioreactor for algae cultivation.
Summary of the Invention The invention provides a flat panel photobioreactor (FPP) comprising a disposable non- structural element for holding liquid medium for algae cultivation, said element being translucent or transparent; a hollow, cage- like, structure component, which is mechanically stable, and which is essentially non deformable, penetrable for light, capable of supporting said non-structural element; and an aeration system. Said structure component is preferably a cage having essentially a shape of a panel, or a rectangular prism with one of the dimensions much lower than the other two, whose faces are formed by a lattice made of a solid material or by a wire network. Said non-structure element is preferably at least one plastic bag inserted in said cage. Said aeration system preferably comprises tubing inserted to said plastic bag near to its bottom. The non- structural element and the structure component, forming said flat panel photobioreactor, should withstand the pressure of said liquid medium, and should be stable enough to support the aeration and heat-exchange accessories, and they should allow sufficient light to enter to said medium for the photocultivation of algae. Said heat- exchange unit preferably comprises circulating heating or cooling liquid in pressurized tubing that is in contact with said cultivation medium. The photobioreactor of this invention is used for the cultivation of algae, comprising marine algae, such as Skeletonema, Chaetoceros, Thalassiosira, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Nanochloropsis, and C. cohnii, or fresh water algae, such as Haematococcus and Chlamydomonas. A plurality of the FPPs, arranged in arrays, can provide any required scale of cultivation.
Brief description of the figures Fig. 1 (A and B) actual photographs showing a device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the flow system, including heating and cooling, filling and harvesting and air mixing piping, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows exemplary dimensions of apparatus according to one particular preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 is a scheme showing a plant built with a plurality of photobioreactors according to the invention, in top view (Fig. 4A) and perspective elevated view (Fig. 4B). Detailed description of the invention
The flat panel photobioreactor of this invention consists of a structure component which is capable of supporting a non- structural water -holding element while allowing sufficient light to pass through aqueous medium held in said non- structural elements. Said structure component, termed hereinafter "a cage", is seen in Figs. 1A and IB, having illustrative dimensions of: length of ca. 2 m and with an opening of 5-6 cm. As will be appreciated by a skilled person, any dimensions given herein are an example and are not intended to limit the invention in any way, it being understood that the invention can be carried out using elements of any suitable dimension.
Inside the structures shown in Fig. 1, plastic bags (which are the non- structural medium-holding elements) are inserted into the structure component.
Components of the reactor may include sealed plastic bags, for example about. 0.2 mm thick; an inlet of a tube of PVC inserted in the bottom of the bag for aeration, and an aeration outlet provided with means ensuring the sterility of the medium; a heating exchange unit plunged into the bag for temperature control (for heating or cooling). These elements are schematically illustrated in Fig. 2, which is self-explicative. Said bags may be disposed off after one or more cycles of cultivation.
Illustrative dimensions for a particular system according to the invention are shown in Fig. 3.
The invention comprises a structure component which is capable of supporting a non- structural water -holding element while allowing sufficient light to pass through it. The structure components and non-structural elements are designed so as to withstand the pressure of water. At least one bag holding a liquid medium is contained in the structure; changes of the bag shape, caused by internal pressure of liquid, help to hold the bag in the structure. Sealing means prevent the contamination of the cultivation medium by undesirable microorganisms. Said means may comprise sterility filters and airtight inlets and connections of the tubing.
Fig. 4 shows a plant built with a plurality of photobioreactors according to the invention, in top view (Fig. 4A) and perspective elevated view (Fig. 4B). As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the invention permits to grow algae effectively in large volumes.
The Flat Panel Photobioreactor (FPP) is simple to operate and can provide a sterile environment and can prevent the contamination. In comparison with other closed structures (various bags, sleeves, fiberglass cylinders) used today for growing aquaculture desired microalgae, FPP is a very efficient photobioreactor, avoiding flaws of the prior art structures, such as light limitations due to the physical properties of the reactor (long light path in big bags or cylinders, etc.). Another advantage of FPP is its up-scaling capability, as well as the low-cost due to its simple construction and operation. One FPP unit may be easily designed for volumes about from 100 liter to 1000 liter. More units may be linked to a plurality of reactors, forming a plant without capacity limitations, as is illustrated in the scheme in Fig. 4..
The FPP is the ideal means for the cultivation of all algae of commercial importance, and may be used with a special advantage, for example, for all microalgae hampered by contamination, such as fresh water Haematococcus and Chlamydomonas, or marine Chaetoceros, Tetraselmis and
Nanochloropsis; however, the FPP provides superior cultivation means also for the algae which are cultivated in open systems, such as Spirulina, or Dunaliella. Examples
The cultivations were performed in the Negev Desert, Israel, in summer, when the days are typically cloudless. A flat panel photobiorecator (FPP) was used, consisting of a cage-like structure component about 1.8 m long, 1.1 m high, and 5 cm thick, and a disposable element for holding the cultivation medium made of a polyethylene (PE) foil about 0.2 mm thick. The faces of the cage were made of strong wire network, and the cage was further strengthened by steel bars, as can be seen in Fig. 1. (photo) or Fig. 2 (scheme). Said disposable non- structural element was prepared from two PE rectangles by heat sealing, and was inserted to the cage, and during the cultivation contained about 100 liter of cultivation medium. The required temperature was provided by a heat exchange system, comprising a thermostat, tubing with circulating water, and a unit heating or cooling said circulating water, the tubing being in contact with said medium. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the FPP arrangement.
Example 1
A FPP as described above was filled with Zarouk medium, and was inoculated with Spirulina platensis, to about 0.5 g/liter. The air was pumped into a tube placed near to the bottom of the reactor, to keep the alga in suspension, and the temperature was kept at 35°C. The alga was allowed to grow for 5 days. A microscopic check showed an essentially pure culture. The yield was 4 g/1.
Example 2 A FPP as described above was filled with F2 medium, and was inoculated with Nanochloropsis salina to about 105 cells/ml. The air was pumped through a 0.2 μm filter into a tube placed near to the bottom of the reactor, to keep the alga in suspension, and the temperature was kept at 25°C. The alga was allowed to grow for 6 days. A microscopic check showed an essentially pure culture. The yield was 109 cells/ml. While the invention has been described using some specific examples, many modifications and variations are possible. It is therefore understood that the invention is not intended to be limited in any way, other than by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flat panel photobioreactor comprising i) a disposable non- structural element for holding liquid medium for algae cultivation, said element being translucent or transparent; and ii) a hollow, cage-like, structure component, stable and essentially non deformable, penetrable for light, capable of supporting said non- structural element; wherein said non- structural element and said structure component withstand the pressure of said liquid medium, and allow sufficient light to enter to said medium for the photocultivation of algae.
2. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, further comprising an aeration system that keeps said algae in suspension.
3. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said non- structural element is a plastic bag.
4. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said non- structural element is a plastic bag, and wherein said aeration system comprises tubing whose inlet is inserted near the bottom of said bag.
5. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, further comprising sealing means for preventing the contamination of said liquid medium by undesired microorganisms.
6. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means comprise sterility filters and airtight connections.
7. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, further comprising a heat- exchange unit.
8. A photobioreactor according to claim 7, wherein said unit comprises tubing with circulating heat-transferring liquid, which tubing is in contact with said cultivation medium.
9. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said structure component has essentially a shape of rectangular prism whose faces are formed by a lattice made of a solid material or by a wire network.
10. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said algae comprise a marine alga.
11. A photobioreactor according to claim 10, wherein said alga is selected from Skeletonema, Chaetoceros, Thalassiosira, Tetraselmis, Isochrysis, Nanochloropsis, and C. cohnii.
12. A photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said algae comprise a fresh water alga.
13. A photobioreactor according to claim 12, wherein said alga is selected from Haematococcus, Chlamydomonas, and Spirulina.
PCT/IL2004/000666 2003-07-21 2004-07-21 Flat panel photobioreactor WO2005006838A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48887603P 2003-07-21 2003-07-21
US60/488,876 2003-07-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005006838A2 true WO2005006838A2 (en) 2005-01-27
WO2005006838A3 WO2005006838A3 (en) 2005-08-04

Family

ID=34079462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2004/000666 WO2005006838A2 (en) 2003-07-21 2004-07-21 Flat panel photobioreactor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005006838A2 (en)

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007098150A2 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-30 The Arizona Board Of Regents, A Body Corporate Acting On Behalf Of Arizona State University Photobioreactor and uses therefor
WO2008028143A2 (en) * 2006-09-01 2008-03-06 Biolex, Inc. Bioreactor for growing biological materials supported on a liquid surface
ES2347515A1 (en) * 2010-05-03 2010-10-29 Universidad Politecnica De Madrid Laminar photobioreactor for the production of microalgae
WO2011013104A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Fotosintetica & Microbiologica S.R.L. Low-cost photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation
WO2011007250A3 (en) * 2009-07-17 2011-05-19 M2M Engineering S.A.S. Photobioreactor comprising flexible or deformable material
US7980024B2 (en) 2007-04-27 2011-07-19 Algae Systems, Inc. Photobioreactor systems positioned on bodies of water
US8110395B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2012-02-07 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor systems and methods for treating CO2-enriched gas and producing biomass
EP2475761A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2012-07-18 MicroA AS Photobioreactor
ES2387174A1 (en) * 2010-09-27 2012-09-17 Universidad De Huelva Cellular cultivation system for the production of photosintetic microorganisms (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US8304209B2 (en) 2008-12-11 2012-11-06 Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc. Solar biofactory, photobioreactors, passive thermal regulation systems and methods for producing products
US8304232B2 (en) 2009-07-28 2012-11-06 Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc. Photobioreactors, solar energy gathering systems, and thermal control methods
WO2012176021A1 (en) 2011-06-24 2012-12-27 Clean Energy Esb S.A System for obtaining biomass
WO2013017723A1 (en) * 2011-08-01 2013-02-07 Algaenergy, S. A. Photobioreactor for culturing photoautotrophic microorganisms
US8507253B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2013-08-13 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor cell culture systems, methods for preconditioning photosynthetic organisms, and cultures of photosynthetic organisms produced thereby
US8709795B2 (en) 2009-11-09 2014-04-29 Industrial Technology Research Institute Light transformation particle and photobioreactor
DE102013001444A1 (en) * 2013-01-29 2014-07-31 Pateffect Schutzrechtsmanagement Gbr (Vertretungsberechtigte Gesellschafter: Dr. Volker Linden, 73430 Aalen Und Klaus Kunze, 88250 Weingarten) bioreactor suspension
KR20160001349A (en) * 2014-06-27 2016-01-06 우영희 Photo-bioreactor for attached algae
WO2016161159A1 (en) * 2015-03-31 2016-10-06 Heliae Development, Llc System for vitally supporting organisms and methods of providing and using the same
US9758756B2 (en) 2012-11-09 2017-09-12 Heliae Development Llc Method of culturing microorganisms using phototrophic and mixotrophic culture conditions
DE102017001041A1 (en) 2017-01-27 2018-08-02 GFS - Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Solarenergienutzung e. V. Photobioreactor and method for cultivating phototrophic microalgae
US10047337B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2018-08-14 Heliae Development Llc Method of mixotrophic culturing of microalgae in a flexible bioreactor
US10059918B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2018-08-28 Heliae Development Llc Method of vitally supporting microalgae in a flexible bioreactor
US10125346B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2018-11-13 Heliae Development Llc Bioreactor sterilization method for multiple uses
US10184099B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2019-01-22 Heliae Development Llc Flexible bioreactor and support structure system
CN109251847A (en) * 2017-07-14 2019-01-22 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Utilize the device and method of sunlight culture photosynthetic microorganism
US10184105B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2019-01-22 Heliae Development Llc Flexible bioreactor and support structure method
CN109251854A (en) * 2017-07-14 2019-01-22 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Utilize the device and method of sunlight culture photosynthetic microorganism
US10240120B2 (en) 2012-11-09 2019-03-26 Heliae Development Llc Balanced mixotrophy method
CN112170415A (en) * 2019-07-01 2021-01-05 国投生物科技投资有限公司 Cleaning device for photobioreactor
US11124751B2 (en) 2011-04-27 2021-09-21 Pond Technologies Inc. Supplying treated exhaust gases for effecting growth of phototrophic biomass
US11512278B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2022-11-29 Pond Technologies Inc. Biomass production
US11612118B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2023-03-28 Pond Technologies Inc. Biomass production

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8940520B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2015-01-27 Pond Biofuels Inc. Process for growing biomass by modulating inputs to reaction zone based on changes to exhaust supply
US8889400B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2014-11-18 Pond Biofuels Inc. Diluting exhaust gas being supplied to bioreactor
US8969067B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2015-03-03 Pond Biofuels Inc. Process for growing biomass by modulating supply of gas to reaction zone
US9534261B2 (en) 2012-10-24 2017-01-03 Pond Biofuels Inc. Recovering off-gas from photobioreactor

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0889118A1 (en) * 1997-07-04 1999-01-07 Ingredients Technology Corporation A bioreactor for the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms
US6391638B1 (en) * 1996-09-26 2002-05-21 Metabogal, Ltd. Cell/tissue culturing device and method

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6391638B1 (en) * 1996-09-26 2002-05-21 Metabogal, Ltd. Cell/tissue culturing device and method
EP0889118A1 (en) * 1997-07-04 1999-01-07 Ingredients Technology Corporation A bioreactor for the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms

Cited By (46)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8507253B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2013-08-13 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor cell culture systems, methods for preconditioning photosynthetic organisms, and cultures of photosynthetic organisms produced thereby
WO2007098150A2 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-08-30 The Arizona Board Of Regents, A Body Corporate Acting On Behalf Of Arizona State University Photobioreactor and uses therefor
WO2007098150A3 (en) * 2006-02-21 2007-12-13 Univ Arizona State Photobioreactor and uses therefor
US8241895B2 (en) 2006-02-21 2012-08-14 The Arizona Board Of Regents, A Body Corporate Acting On Behalf Of Arizona State University Methods of algal growth in photobioreactors
AU2007217821B2 (en) * 2006-02-21 2012-06-14 The Arizona Board Of Regents, A Body Corporate Acting On Behalf Of Arizona State University Photobioreactor and uses therefor
US8198076B2 (en) 2006-02-21 2012-06-12 The Arizona Board Of Regents, A Body Corporate Acting On Behalf Of Arizona State University Photobioreactor and uses therefor
US8877488B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2014-11-04 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor systems and methods for treating CO2-enriched gas and producing biomass
US8110395B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2012-02-07 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor systems and methods for treating CO2-enriched gas and producing biomass
US8507264B2 (en) 2006-07-10 2013-08-13 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor systems and methods for treating CO2-enriched gas and producing biomass
WO2008028143A3 (en) * 2006-09-01 2008-04-17 Biolex Inc Bioreactor for growing biological materials supported on a liquid surface
WO2008028143A2 (en) * 2006-09-01 2008-03-06 Biolex, Inc. Bioreactor for growing biological materials supported on a liquid surface
US7980024B2 (en) 2007-04-27 2011-07-19 Algae Systems, Inc. Photobioreactor systems positioned on bodies of water
US8859262B2 (en) 2007-04-27 2014-10-14 Algae Systems, LLC Photobioreactor systems positioned on bodies of water
US8304209B2 (en) 2008-12-11 2012-11-06 Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc. Solar biofactory, photobioreactors, passive thermal regulation systems and methods for producing products
WO2011007250A3 (en) * 2009-07-17 2011-05-19 M2M Engineering S.A.S. Photobioreactor comprising flexible or deformable material
US8304232B2 (en) 2009-07-28 2012-11-06 Joule Unlimited Technologies, Inc. Photobioreactors, solar energy gathering systems, and thermal control methods
WO2011013104A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Fotosintetica & Microbiologica S.R.L. Low-cost photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation
EP2475761A4 (en) * 2009-09-09 2015-04-22 Microa As Photobioreactor
EP2475761A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2012-07-18 MicroA AS Photobioreactor
US8709795B2 (en) 2009-11-09 2014-04-29 Industrial Technology Research Institute Light transformation particle and photobioreactor
WO2011138477A1 (en) * 2010-05-03 2011-11-10 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Laminar photobioreactor for the production of microalgae
ES2347515A1 (en) * 2010-05-03 2010-10-29 Universidad Politecnica De Madrid Laminar photobioreactor for the production of microalgae
US11612118B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2023-03-28 Pond Technologies Inc. Biomass production
US11512278B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2022-11-29 Pond Technologies Inc. Biomass production
ES2387174A1 (en) * 2010-09-27 2012-09-17 Universidad De Huelva Cellular cultivation system for the production of photosintetic microorganisms (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)
US11124751B2 (en) 2011-04-27 2021-09-21 Pond Technologies Inc. Supplying treated exhaust gases for effecting growth of phototrophic biomass
WO2012176021A1 (en) 2011-06-24 2012-12-27 Clean Energy Esb S.A System for obtaining biomass
WO2013017723A1 (en) * 2011-08-01 2013-02-07 Algaenergy, S. A. Photobioreactor for culturing photoautotrophic microorganisms
US9758756B2 (en) 2012-11-09 2017-09-12 Heliae Development Llc Method of culturing microorganisms using phototrophic and mixotrophic culture conditions
US10240120B2 (en) 2012-11-09 2019-03-26 Heliae Development Llc Balanced mixotrophy method
DE102013001444A1 (en) * 2013-01-29 2014-07-31 Pateffect Schutzrechtsmanagement Gbr (Vertretungsberechtigte Gesellschafter: Dr. Volker Linden, 73430 Aalen Und Klaus Kunze, 88250 Weingarten) bioreactor suspension
DE102013001444B4 (en) * 2013-01-29 2014-12-18 Pateffect Schutzrechtsmanagement Gbr (Vertretungsberechtigte Gesellschafter: Dr. Volker Linden, 73430 Aalen Und Klaus Kunze, 88250 Weingarten) bioreactor suspension
KR101646246B1 (en) 2014-06-27 2016-08-08 우영희 Photo-bioreactor for attached algae
KR20160001349A (en) * 2014-06-27 2016-01-06 우영희 Photo-bioreactor for attached algae
US10184105B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2019-01-22 Heliae Development Llc Flexible bioreactor and support structure method
US10184099B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2019-01-22 Heliae Development Llc Flexible bioreactor and support structure system
WO2016161159A1 (en) * 2015-03-31 2016-10-06 Heliae Development, Llc System for vitally supporting organisms and methods of providing and using the same
AU2016242939B2 (en) * 2015-03-31 2021-02-18 Heliae Development, Llc System for vitally supporting organisms and methods of providing and using the same
US10125346B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2018-11-13 Heliae Development Llc Bioreactor sterilization method for multiple uses
US10059918B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2018-08-28 Heliae Development Llc Method of vitally supporting microalgae in a flexible bioreactor
US10047337B2 (en) 2015-03-31 2018-08-14 Heliae Development Llc Method of mixotrophic culturing of microalgae in a flexible bioreactor
DE102017001041A1 (en) 2017-01-27 2018-08-02 GFS - Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Solarenergienutzung e. V. Photobioreactor and method for cultivating phototrophic microalgae
DE102017001041B4 (en) 2017-01-27 2024-01-25 Jörn Jander Photobioreactor and method for cultivating phototrophic microalgae
CN109251847A (en) * 2017-07-14 2019-01-22 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Utilize the device and method of sunlight culture photosynthetic microorganism
CN109251854A (en) * 2017-07-14 2019-01-22 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Utilize the device and method of sunlight culture photosynthetic microorganism
CN112170415A (en) * 2019-07-01 2021-01-05 国投生物科技投资有限公司 Cleaning device for photobioreactor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005006838A3 (en) 2005-08-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2005006838A2 (en) Flat panel photobioreactor
Borowitzka Commercial production of microalgae: ponds, tanks, tubes and fermenters
Carvalho et al. Microalgal reactors: a review of enclosed system designs and performances
Xu et al. Microalgal bioreactors: challenges and opportunities
Pulz Photobioreactors: production systems for phototrophic microorganisms
US8709808B2 (en) Accordion bioreactor
US9260685B2 (en) System and plant for cultivation of aquatic organisms
Carvalho et al. Microalgae bioreactors
Bergmann et al. Disposable flat panel airlift photobioreactors
Torzillo Tubular bioreactors
Touloupakis et al. An outline of photosynthetic microorganism growth inside closed photobioreactor designs
CN109576129B (en) Photosynthetic bioreactor and method for manufacturing a photosynthetic bioreactor
US10829725B2 (en) Air accordion bioreactor
CN202730113U (en) Microalgae high-density culture plant
KR101372328B1 (en) Vinyl sheet type photobioreactor and method for manufacturing the same
US20160145552A1 (en) Floating photobioreactor system comprising a floating photobioreactor and an integrated paddle wheel and an airlift and methods of use
CN109251847B (en) Device and method for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms by using sunlight
Griffiths 5 Microalgal Cultivation
CN204644342U (en) For cultivating the microporous culture plate of photosynthetic microorganism
Ramanathan et al. Construction of vertical tubular photobioreactor for microalgae cultivation
Perera et al. Investigation of the Effect of Solar Irradiation and Temperature on H. pluvialis Production in Photobioreactors Under Outdoor Cultivation in Sri Lanka
US20190194587A1 (en) Floating horizontal tubular photobioreactor system with integrated manifolds for housing pumping and process monitoring and control devices
Bajpai et al. Cultivation of third generation biofuel
CN109251854B (en) Device and method for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms by using sunlight
CN109251839B (en) Device and method for culturing photosynthetic microorganisms by using sunlight

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase