Abstract: In one example, a portion of a shed includes a blow molded plastic door, a blow molded plastic wall panel, and a double jointed hinge configured to connect the blow molded plastic door and the blow molded plastic wall panel to each other. The double jointed hinge includes a first hinge element that connectible to the blow molded plastic wall panel, a second hinge element that is connectible to the blow molded plastic door, and a first link and a second link, the first link and the second link configured to connect the first hinge element to the second hinge element, and when the shed portion is in an assembled state, and the blow molded plastic door is fully closed, the first link and the second link are received within a recess cooperatively defined by the blow molded plastic wall panel and the blow molded plastic door.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a membrane, screen or other flexible planar body in tension, while providing a conduit for water or other liquid to flow to the membrane being held. The membrane extends from inside a manifold body that carries the liquid, and the manifold body supports the membrane at one edge while the membrane is pulled in tension. Liquid pressure builds up inside the manifold body, preferably by entering a pressure chamber at the top of the manifold body. At a feeding pressure in the pressure chamber the liquid is distributed to the membrane for microbe growth. The liquid can be elevated to a higher, microbe-harvesting pressure by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, thereby deflecting a shim separating the pressure chamber from the membrane. The change in pressure is carried out by manually or automatically opening and closing a conventional water valve.

Abstract: A method for enhancing gas-to-liquid transfer rate and algal growth using vertical membranes suspended over a pond, wherein the membranes are formed of fibers. An aqueous solution is applied to the top edges of the membranes through a series of headers. The membranes are exposed to a stream of gas containing soluble gas species as the aqueous solution migrates downwardly through the membranes by virtue of gravity-assisted capillary action. The aqueous solution collects the soluble gases from the gas stream, thus promoting the growth of photosynthetic organisms on the membranes and in the pond. The membranes facilitate a gradual introduction of the aqueous solution into the pond at a preferred rate of about 1.3 gallons per minute per linear foot of membrane for optimizing the transfer soluble species from gaseous phase to aqueous phase without rapidly acidifying the pond and harming the phototrophic organisms.

Abstract: A bioreactor apparatus in which a container has sidewalls, a floor and a ceiling defining a chamber that contains a slurry of water, nutrients and photosynthetic microorganisms. A plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a first end disposed outside the chamber and a second end in the mixture. A light collector spaced from the container has light incident on it and focuses the light onto the first ends of the plurality of optical fibers, thereby permitting the light to be conveyed into the mixture to promote photosynthesis. At least one nozzle is in fluid communication with a source of gas, such as exhaust gas from a fossil-fuel burning power plant containing carbon dioxide. The nozzle is disposed in the mixture beneath the second ends of the optical fibers for injecting the gas into the mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a membrane, screen or other flexible planar body in tension, while providing a conduit for water or other liquid to flow to the membrane being held. The membrane extends from inside a manifold body that carries the liquid, and the manifold body supports the membrane at one edge while the membrane is pulled in tension. Liquid pressure builds up inside the manifold body, preferably by entering a pressure chamber at the top of the manifold body. At a feeding pressure in the pressure chamber the liquid is distributed to the membrane for microbe growth. The liquid can be elevated to a higher, microbe-harvesting pressure by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, thereby deflecting a shim separating the pressure chamber from the membrane. The change in pressure is carried out by manually or automatically opening and closing a conventional water valve.

Abstract: A bioreactor apparatus in which a container has sidewalls, a floor and a ceiling defining a chamber that contains a slurry of water, nutrients and photosynthetic microorganisms. A plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a first end disposed outside the chamber and a second end in the mixture. A light collector spaced from the container has light incident on it and focuses the light onto the first ends of the plurality of optical fibers, thereby permitting the light to be conveyed into the mixture to promote photosynthesis. At least one nozzle is in fluid communication with a source of gas, such as exhaust gas from a fossil-fuel burning power plant containing carbon dioxide. The nozzle is disposed in the mixture beneath the second ends of the optical fibers for injecting the gas into the mixture.