Method and System for Growing Microalgae in an Expanding Plug Flow Reactor
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
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N/A
Issued Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Apr 18, 2014
filing date -
Jun 23, 2010
priority date (Note) -
Abandoned
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
A method and system are provided for supporting the growth of algae cells. Initially, an inoculum of algae cells are grown in a closed bioreactor. Thereafter, the inoculum is passed into an open Expanding Plug Flow Reactor (EPFR). Growth medium is added at a plurality of locations along the EPFR. This addition is controlled in response to the growth rate of the algae cells to maintain a substantially same concentration of cells at each location in the EPFR. At all times, the medium provides sufficient nutrients to support growth and maintain a high concentration of algae cells, i.e., at least 0.5 grams per liter of medium, in the EPFR. After the desired level of growth is reached, the algae cells are transferred from the EPFR to a standard plug flow reactor wherein oil production is activated in the algae cells.
First Claim