Including Means To Transmit Light Into A Bioreactor To Facilitate Photo- Bioreaction (e.g., Photosynthesis) Patents (Class 435/292.1)
  • Patent number: 11833472
    Abstract: A filtration filter having a filter substrate defining a plurality of through-holes extending from a first principal surface to a second principal surface opposite the first principal surface; and a pair of projections between adjacent through-holes of the plurality of through-holes, the pair of projections being on corresponding end portions on opposite sides in a width direction of the filter substrate and protruding from the first principal surface so as to define a reservoir part with the first principal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Banju, Shusuke Yokota, Takashi Kondo
  • Patent number: 11827861
    Abstract: Apparatuses including offshore porous floating bioreactors for containing algae water slurries in a saltwater environment. The porous floating bioreactors include a top portion and a bottom portion. At least a portion of the top portion is composed of a first transparent material and at least a portion of the bottom portion is porous. The offshore porous floating bioreactors may be deployed in a saltwater environment to facilitate one or both of cultivation or lipid induction of an algae water slurry contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark A. Diemund, Patrick L. Hanks, Sarah E. Feicht
  • Patent number: 11788041
    Abstract: A water filtering system includes providing light deep into a liquid used in applications such as the cultivation of both attached and suspended photosynthetic organisms. The system is configured to inject a stream of bubbles into the liquid and a light source is configured to shines light through the bubbles. The bubbles allow some light to travel deep into the liquid along the length of the bubble stream and scatter/deflect some light out of the bubble stream and into the surrounding liquid including screens for growing algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SEA VOLUTE, LLC
    Inventor: Ari Thai
  • Patent number: 11555170
    Abstract: A photobioreactor for cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism and associated systems/methods are disclosed herewith. The photobioreactor includes (1) a substantially spherical vessel having a wall defining an interior vessel volume; (2) a water-submersible system for converting electrical energy into electromagnetic radiation; (3) a temperature management system for circulating heat dispersal fluid into and out of the water-submersible system; and (4) a photobioreactor control system comprising a processor and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ForeLight, Inc
    Inventors: Adam Flynn, Julie Moffitt
  • Patent number: 11512029
    Abstract: A multipurpose fertilizer composition comprising an after incubation mixture, a moisturizing ingredient, and a ylang ylang extract ingredients; wherein, the ylang ylang extract ingredients from fresh ylang ylang flowers that can be chopped/or not shredded and soaked in a liquid such as water or solvent for a long time to extract the necessary compound components from the infused ylang ylang flowers into the liquid; wherein, the ylang ylang extract ingredients containing at least 0.05% by weight of a cinnamyl acetate. Besides, the present invention is to provide a process of manufacturing the multipurpose fertilizer composition using ingredients source material from mixing a manure ingredient with a poultry manure ingredient, and an organic waste ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: VIET NAM HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thanh Chi Le
  • Patent number: 11484835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for reducing carbon dioxide in exhaust gases formed by combustion characterized by an exhaust system having a space (5) in which the exhaust gases are supplied to plant parts comprising chloroplasts with chlorophyll via means (6) for injection and an apparatus for generating and scattering of red light (7), preferably light from a laser and/or maser into the mixture of exhaust gases and plant parts, and of a grape sugar collecting device (8), and or, a collecting device (9) for water condensed from the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: GREEN FOSSIL TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventor: Mats Hedman
  • Patent number: 11473043
    Abstract: A system for growing and harvesting algae biomass includes a photo-bioreactor suitable for algae growth in water and a filter unit in fluid communication with the photo-bioreactor. An algae slurry, when at least partially contained within the photo-bioreactor, generates hydrostatic fluid pressure that exclusively drives the algae slurry to the filter unit and discharges a permeate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sarah E. Feicht, Mark A. Deimund, Everett J. O'Neal, Patrick L. Hanks
  • Patent number: 11453849
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic micro algae culturing device and system for self-cleaning, continual automatic algae culturing and irradiant optimizing. The culturing device includes a photosynthesis tubular reactor for micro algae culturing, with transparent cleaning particles to scrape off any unwanted particles or components such as including and not limited to formation of biofilm. The tubular reactor has multiple double-walled glasses. Inner walls of the tubes in the tubular reactor may be coated with superhydrophobic coating to avoid bio film formation, or sticking of any hydro dirt or dust particles. Because the cleaning particles are transparent, they wont block any sunlight for photosynthesis in the tubular reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventor: Wing Hei Dennis Poon
  • Patent number: 11399471
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in indoor agriculture is provided, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elongate supports (6) connected to at least one common manifold (8a, 8b). Each elongate support (6) within the plurality of elongate supports (6) comprising: a main body (12) having a first side; at least one inlet (16) in fluid communication with the at least one common manifold (8a, 8b); a plurality of outlets (14); and a channel within and extending along substantially the length of the main body (12) between the at least one inlet (16) and the plurality of outlets (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Intelligent Growth Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Henry Aykroyd, David Scott, Niall Alexander Skinner
  • Patent number: 11384329
    Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a gas concentrator configured to receive a first gas containing CO2 at a first concentration and discharge a second gas containing CO2 at a second concentration higher than the first concentration, and a photobioreactor containing algae in an algae slurry and fluidically coupled to the gas concentrator to receive the second gas. A recycling line extends from a gas outlet on the photobioreactor to remove a third gas from the photobioreactor for future use in the photobioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventor: Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Patent number: 10876087
    Abstract: Embodiments of a modular tubular bioreactor system for culturing an aqueous culture of microorganisms are described herein. The tubular bioreactor may comprise culture tubes configured in a vertically spaced and horizontally staggered arrangement to optimize the application of light to the culture in phototrophic and mixotrophic cultivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Heliae Development LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Sitek, Cameron Wyatt, Richard Mazur, James Riley, Jason Licamele, Thomas Kulaga, Timothy Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10829725
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a container for holding fluid aligned on a vertical axis, wherein at least a portion of the container is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, wherein the angle is from about 0° to 90°. In some embodiments, the container is placed on a support structure with portions of the container oriented at alternating angles. The system is essentially closed except for at least one opening (for example an opening at the bottom edge) that allows for the introduction of gases and/or nutrients. The gas and/or nutrients are introduced in such a way as to provide mixing and aeration of a cell culture in the bioreactor. Also disclosed are methods of culturing cells (such as microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, fungi, insect cells, plant cells, animal cells, or plant or animal tissue or organs) using a bioreactor described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona
    Inventors: Joel L. Cuello, Sara S. Kuwahara, Takanori Hoshino, Cody L. Brown
  • Patent number: 10772262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to facilities for cultivating plants, said facilities essentially consisting of a combination of a conventional greenhouse and a shelf that is preferably automatically operable. In this respect, particularly advantageous combinatorial effects are achieved which drastically increase the degree of volume utilization of greenhouses and simultaneously considerably reduce staff costs for cultivating plants as well as for the harvest. The degree of volume utilization is increased in that, instead of floor planting or plant tables that are usually provided in greenhouses, a shelf system that is arranged relatively densely to comes into use. Said shelf system comprises a plurality of longitudinal and transverse rows as well as a plurality of planes. Moreover, the supporting frame of the shelf system itself may be used as the supporting structure for the greenhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Amminger
  • Patent number: 10681878
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for cultivating surface-growing floating aquatic plants, in particular, duckweeks or lemnoideae species, on a non horizontally positioned sheet-like substrate. The aforementioned system comprises (a) a predetermined volume of growth media flowing through sheet-like substrate provided with a predetermined inoculum of said aquatic plants; (b) at least one sheet-like substrate; (c) an irrigation mechanism configured to a top down irrigation flow in said sheet-like substrate; and (d) a regulation mechanism configured to control said irrigation flow. The present invention further discloses methods for cultivating the aforementioned aquatic plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Hinoman Ltd.
    Inventors: Ehud Elituv, Itzhak Shalev
  • Patent number: 10465155
    Abstract: Devices and methods cell culture are disclosed herein. In particular embodiments, the cell culture devices include multi-channel devices with a non-linear flow path that recapitulates the three-dimensional microarchitecture and physiological organ-level functions of human organs with cellular and molecular resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventor: Hyun Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 10395286
    Abstract: An algae production reactor system according to the invention comprises a reactor vessel which is provided with: —one or more liquid inlets and one or more liquid outlets; —one or more gas inlets at the bottom, said gas inlets being connected with a source of carbon dioxide, and one or more gas outlets at the top of the vessel; —vertically interspaced and joined pairs of double glass plates which are at least partially submerged in the reactor liquid, said double glass plates having a layer of light-scattering particles in between and having a flat side being exposed to a light source; and —means for vertically circulating reactor liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Micro Resources Ltd.
    Inventor: Sjoerd Hubertus Jozef Vellinga
  • Patent number: 10344254
    Abstract: Reactor plant and process for culturing phototropic microorganisms with a reactor vessel and a photosynthetic module, which are connected with one another in a circulation circuit by a pump and can be controlled via a control unit, where in the circulation circuit or in the reactor vessel, a homogenizer is provided, where a light-intensity control of the photosynthetic module is provided, and where a bypass of the circulation circuit or of the reactor vessel with a filter device which is arranged externally of the reactor vessel for separating off extracellular products during the fermentation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kahlert, Bernd-Ulrich Wilhelm, Wolf-Dietrich Linke
  • Patent number: 10299449
    Abstract: A vegetable carrying box includes a solution carrying box provided with a high-level liquid inlet and a low-level liquid outlet that are opposite to each other, where an area between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet in the solution carrying box is provided with protruding diversion partitions to form a zigzag flow passage, and an atomizer is disposed in the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: HAIER GROUP CORPORATION, QINGDAO HAIGAO DESIGN & MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Wu, Shu Zhou, Zhaojun Fei, Haibo Liu
  • Patent number: 10273174
    Abstract: A device for treating wastewater liquids, the device comprising a housing (4) incorporating a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) (2) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane (20) providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases; and a means (6) for mixing the wastewater liquids in the device, wherein the means (6) for mixing the wastewater liquids is configured to create a mixing intensity sufficient to ensure that there is contact between the membrane (20) and the wastewater liquid to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Oxymem Limited
    Inventors: Eoin Syron, Wayne Byrne
  • Patent number: 10208276
    Abstract: A tank receives, mixes, and dispenses input materials including algae feed stock, a micro-nutrients, cleaning solution, a sterile gas, a heating/cooling fluid, carbon dioxide, and raw water with a water treatment system. A plurality of output stations include a vent to atmosphere, a heating/cooling media return, a cleaning disposal, and an algae concentrate/product. The vent to atmosphere is coupled to the tank. The heating/cooling media return is coupled to the heating/cooling media supply through the tank. The cleaning solution disposal station is coupled to the tank with a pump followed by a nano bubbler and an algae growing system. An algae concentrate/product station is coupled to the tank. An algae dewatering system is intermediate the tank and the algae concentrate/product. A water return line couples the algae dewatering system and the water treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SIFTEX EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Martin L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10208278
    Abstract: A method for culturing suspended photosynthetic organisms is provided, comprising culturing the photosynthetic organism in a flowing thin film photobioreactor, wherein the flowing thin film photobioreactor comprises a light source and a trickle-film insert comprising screen material. In a preferred embodiment, the organism is Rhodobacter grown anaerobically; In an additional preferred embodiment, the organism is Botryococcus braunii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Inventor: Wayne Roger Curtis
  • Patent number: 10174282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for culturing microalgae, including: (a) immersing a photobioreactor including a culture container through which a culture solution but not microalgae passes into environmental water; and (b) supplying additional environmental water into the culture container. Through the present invention, it is expected that microalgae can be economically and efficiently mass cultured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Inha-Industry Partnership Institute
    Inventors: Choul Gyun Lee, Hanwool Park, Z Hun Kim, Sang Min Lim, Dong-Woo Shin, Philhan Kim, Dan Bee Yoo, Daewoo Jung, Jong Chan Lee
  • Patent number: 10125340
    Abstract: Certain embodiments and aspects relate to a photobioreactor including encapsulating photobioreactor units (EPU) within which a liquid medium and a gas are encapsulated. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic or mixotrophic organism therein. The gas comprises a high concentration of carbon dioxide. Certain methods of using the EPUs for algal biomass production use automated function units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Xiaoxi Wu
  • Patent number: 10114165
    Abstract: A color shifting illuminator includes a first luminescent material that absorbs first incident photons having an energy greater than or equal to a first threshold energy, and emits first photons with less energy than the first incident photons. The color shifting illuminator also includes a second luminescent material that absorbs second incident photons having an energy greater than or equal to a second threshold energy, and emits second photons with less energy than the second incident photons and less energy than the first photons. The first luminescent material and the second luminescent material are included in a waveguide, and the waveguide exhibits total internal reflection for the first photons and the second photons satisfying conditions for total internal reflection. An extraction region is coupled to the waveguide to emit the first photons and the second photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Heinrich, Martin F. Schubert, Michael J. Grundmann, William R. Regan
  • Patent number: 10072240
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a modular system for fabrication of a biocolumn for generating fuel stocks. The biocolumn of independent units called modules and which function as independent units and can be assembled together to fabricate a biocolumn. These modules can be assembled together to form various zones of biocolumn. Fuel stocks can be prepared by inputting a nutrient, a renewable energy source, photon energy and a carbon source into said zones and outputting fuel stock and by products from zones. The zones are interconnected so that byproducts from each zone can be recycled as input or transformed into product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES DYNAMICS PTE LTD, GIBBS ENERGY, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph P Maceda
  • Patent number: 10053659
    Abstract: Embodiments of a modular tubular bioreactor system for culturing an aqueous culture of microorganisms are described herein. The tubular bioreactor may comprise culture tubes configured in a vertically spaced and horizontally staggered arrangement to optimize the application of light to the culture in phototrophic and mixotrophic cultivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Heliae Development LLC
    Inventors: Cameron Wyatt, Richard Mazur, James Riley, Thomas Kulaga, Alexander Sitek, Jason Licamele, Timothy Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10041028
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photobioreactor, and more particularly, a photobioreactor for culturing living organisms such as microalgae, which carry out photosynthesis using carbon dioxide and light energy. The photobioreactor includes: (a) a reaction vessel, in which photosynthesis occurs by photosynthetic organisms; (b) a multipurpose inlet/outlet formed at the outside upper end of the reaction vessel; (c) an outer pipe connected to the multipurpose inlet/outlet at the outside of the reaction vessel; and (d) an inner pipe connected to the multipurpose inlet/outlet at the inside of the reaction vessel, wherein the reaction vessel is made of a transparent film. The photobioreactor according to the present invention is advantageous in that the reaction vessel in which photosynthesis occurs is a plate-type and made of a transparent film, thus achieving improved light transmittance and mobility, and enabling the economically advantageous manufacture and operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation for Corporation Collaboration
    Inventors: Sang Jun Sim, Eun Hye Kim
  • Patent number: 9879210
    Abstract: The apparatus herein relates to the large-scale production of photosynthetic microorganisms, especially algae. More particularly it relates to control of large size aqueous photosynthetic bioreactor systems to obtain such products from many microbial strains, which have heretofore only been cultured in laboratory environments in small containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Georgiy V. Vozhdayev
  • Patent number: 9803165
    Abstract: Container for sample preparation or processing, such as biomass culturing or processing, and optionally sample purification. In certain embodiments, the reactor is a bioreactor that includes a stirred cell device that simulates a tangential flow filter to reduce or eliminate clogging that can be caused by the solids generated. In certain embodiments, the solids comprise a precipitate or floc or beads, such as one that includes a polymer that binds the biomolecule(s) of interest, and impurities. In its method aspects, embodiments disclosed herein include purification and isolation of biomolecules of interest derived from cell culture fluids. The methods include carrying out sample preparation or processing in a container, culturing a biomass; generating solids by precipitating or flocculating a biomolecule of interest from the cultured broth; preventing the solids from settling in the container by agitation; and purification, such as by eluting the biomolecule of interest and filtering the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Wilson Moya, Alison Dupont
  • Patent number: 9714405
    Abstract: Bioprocessing container tube management systems, totes including the systems, and methods of using the systems, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Seal, Nicholas L. Yoward
  • Patent number: 9688950
    Abstract: A bioreactor for culturing cells in a liquid environment is provided that is designed to reduce the chance of contamination, contain the contamination should it occur, and readily clean and sterilize all or part of the bioreactor in response to contamination, or on a schedule. A processor-controlled method of promoting sterility in a bioreactor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL PLANKTON INC.
    Inventor: Robert Roulston
  • Patent number: 9605238
    Abstract: A photo-bioreactor and method of operating are described. The photo-bioreactor includes a reactor vessel arranged to contain a fluid medium within which bio-material is grown, and at least one light-emitting rod extending into the reactor vessel, wherein the light-emitting rod has an elongate tubular member characterized by a length along a longitudinal axis and a width along an axis normal to the longitudinal axis, and designed with an outer wall that encloses one or more light-emitting devices arranged along the longitudinal axis, the outer wall being transparent to at least part of the light emitted by the one or more light-emitting devices into the reactor vessel. The photo-bioreactor further includes a drive system coupled to the elongate tubular member, and operatively configured to rotate the light-emitting rod about the longitudinal axis within reactor vessel, and circulate the fluid medium through the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Arizona Technology Innovation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Johnson, Steven T. Fink, Roxanne E. Abul-Hal, N. Alan Abul-Haj
  • Patent number: 9587211
    Abstract: A photo-bioreactor system for growing and harvesting photosynthetic organisms includes an interior space partitioned into a plurality of independently controlled reactor cells, each stepped downward along a slope from a first elevation to a second elevation, and a light source coupled to each reactor cell and configured to illuminate the photosynthetic organisms with first and second light-emitting surfaces. The system includes a fluid circulation system coupled to the reactor container and configured to force a continuous flow of fluid through the cell passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Arizona Technology Innovation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne L. Johnson, Steven T. Fink
  • Patent number: 9469832
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a photobioreactor for the cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms and comprises a hydraulic circuit through which an aqueous solution containing culture of at least one type of photosynthetic organism circulates and gets exposed to a light source. The photobioreactor also comprises a means for feeding carbon dioxide into the system, a means for oxygen degasification, and a means for injecting nutrients into the system. The hydraulic circuit is comprised of two open receiving channels at the same relative elevation, a set of transparent or translucent tubes which connect receiving channels to each other, and at least one fluid moving device to move the fluid from the first to the second receiving channels through the tubes. Each receiving channel also comprises a dam which assists in maintaining two different surface levels of the aqueous solution within the upstream and downstream portions of each receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Jacinto Fernando Mena Mas
  • Patent number: 9428734
    Abstract: A method and device for growing plant, animal or stem cells in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Eudes Francois Marie De Crecy
  • Patent number: 9365812
    Abstract: A closed loop system for generating energy is described herein. The closed loop system can include a solar collector, a tank, and the combustor. The solar collector can collect electromagnetic energy from a light source including, the sun. This electromagnetic energy can be transported from the solar collector to the tank via a light guide. The tank is illuminated with electromagnetic energy and biomass grows in the tank. The biomass is transported to the combustor and burned to generate heat energy. This heat energy can be used to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GROW ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: John J. Walsh, Robert P. Geiger
  • Patent number: 9360469
    Abstract: An electro-optical stimulation and recording system is disclosed, including a substrate and a plurality of wells coupled to the substrate. The system also includes at least one electrode set disposed proximate a respective one of the plurality of wells, wherein the electrode set comprises at least one electrode configured to collect an electric signal associated with at least a portion of the respective well. The system also includes a light-emitting element set corresponding to a respective one of the wells and configured to deliver optical stimulation to at least a portion of the respective well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Axion BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Perry Clements, Amanda Jervis Preyer, Swaminathan Rajaraman, Daniel Christopher Millard, James David Ross
  • Patent number: 9347030
    Abstract: A photobioreactor system may include a one or more fluidly connectable tubes for growing or producing microorganisms or biomass such as microalgae. The system may include either a single tube loop or an array of tubes. A first fluid may be held in the tube or tubes, and an inlet port may be provided for introducing a second fluid into the tube or tubes. The tube or tubes may be arranged vertically so that the second fluid rises through the tube or tubes. An outlet port may be provided at the top of the tube or tubes to remove the second fluid. The second fluid may be recirculated through the system via inlet and outlet lines as well as a pump and a replaceable reservoir for holding the second fluid. Where there is an array of tubes, a single inlet and outlet line may be sued for each tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Julian Fiorentino
  • Patent number: 9340765
    Abstract: A method to suppress biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method includes the steps of adding a lysis agent to an isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber. The microfluidic chemostat includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat also included a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frederick Balagadde, Carl L. Hansen, Emil Kartalov, Stephen R. Quake
  • Patent number: 9260685
    Abstract: Provided are a cultivating system for cultivating aquatic organisms including a load-bearing structure having a top portion with at least two top rims transverse to each other and defining a top portion, a bottom portion, and flexible tank adapted for receiving therein a growing medium and for cultivating therein aquatic organisms. Further, the tank can include at least two sidewalls extending such that at least in one cross-section taken along a plane perpendicular to said top portion, at least two of the sidewalls form a general V-shape converging towards the bottom portion. The system can also include a gas emitting arrangement linkable to a source of pressurized gas and comprising gas emitting nozzles disposed within the flexible tank at the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERVE LTD.
    Inventor: Ra'anan Herzog
  • Patent number: 9260689
    Abstract: Device for a photochemical process includes a reactor. A reaction medium is contained in the reactor and is guided in the reactor in a meandering manner. At least one reactor element is arranged in the reactor through which the reaction medium flows. A light-conducting liquid is utilized. The at least one reactor element comprises one of pipes connected at a bottom and being arranged vertically, pipes connected at a bottom and being inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane, chambers connected at a bottom and being arranged vertically, and chambers connected at a bottom and being inclined at an angle relative to a vertical plane. The reaction medium is introduced into the reactor and removed therefrom over an upper reaction medium surface and without pressure and freely to the atmosphere such that the flow of the reaction medium is stress-free for micro-organisms disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ECODUNA AG
    Inventors: Martin Mohr, Franz Emminger
  • Patent number: 9040283
    Abstract: A photosynthetic reactor (1) suitable for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, notably algae, comprising at least one photosynthetic reaction pipe (2) at least one return pipe (3), at least one means (4) for circulating the liquid culture medium, at least one gas injection means (5) and at least one exhaust means (6) positioned in the high portion of the reactor (1), wherein the placement of the gas injection means (5) and/or the conformation of the reaction pipe (2) or of the return pipe (3) are designed so that the gas injected by the injection means (5) rises again to the exhaust means (6) by circulating in the reaction pipe (2), in a low-to-high flow direction, so that the injected gas and the liquid culture medium establish a gas/liquid two-phase flow in a substantially horizontal reaction section (23) of the reaction channel (2). The present invention finds application in the field of cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms and notably algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: MICROPHYT
    Inventor: Arnaud Muller-Feuga
  • Publication number: 20150132839
    Abstract: A closed loop system for generating energy is described herein. The closed loop system can include a solar collector, a tank, and the combustor. The solar collector can collect electromagnetic energy from a light source including, the sun. This electromagnetic energy can be transported from the solar collector to the tank via a light guide. The tank is illuminated with electromagnetic energy and biomass grows in the tank. The biomass is transported to the combustor and burned to generate heat energy. This heat energy can be used to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: John J. WALSH, Robert P. GEIGER
  • Publication number: 20150118723
    Abstract: An assembly for generating eco-conscious products from waste uses an anaerobic digester for anaerobically processing waste matter to produce anaerobic products selected from the group of products consisting of biogas, liquid digestate, solid digestate, and mixtures thereof One or more eco-assemblies receive the anaerobic products to generate at least one eco-conscious product. The eco-assemblies include one or more of an eco-matrix molder, an algae cultivator, a fast-pyrolysis chamber, a soil enhancer, a RDF pelletizer, and a hydroponic apparatus. A method is provided for generating eco-conscious products from waste by anaerobically processing waste matter to produce one or more of the anaerobic products, which are conveyed to one or more eco-assemblies to generate at least one eco-conscious product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Derek Christopher Duzoglou
  • Publication number: 20150104857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to air purification. The present invention provides a system for reducing carbon dioxide concentration in air in locations with sub-tropical to temperate climates and method of reducing carbon dioxide concentration using the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Di ZHANG, Yeuk Tin LAU, Ka Yip FUNG, Ka Ming NG
  • Publication number: 20150093806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for photoculturing and harvesting microalgae, and more particularly to a method for photoculturing and harvesting microalgae, in which a light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source to increase the efficiency with which microalgae are cultured, and the cultured microalgae are harvested using a natural polymer flocculant and air microbubbles so that the operating cost is reduced and the range of application of microalgae is expanded, and also a semi-continuous culture method is applied so that the maximum concentration of microalgae can be produced again within a short time, even though the amount of microalgae harvested is small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Tae yoon Lee, Jun-Heok Lim, Jea-Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 8993314
    Abstract: A system for culturing photosynthesizing microorganisms includes a source of a gaseous fluid a mixer that creates micron bubbles within an aqueous medium using the gaseous fluid. The mixing chamber holds the aqueous medium including the micron bubbles before the micron bubbles and aqueous medium are mixed with a culture of photosynthesizing microorganism in a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ennesys SAS
    Inventors: Nicholas Eckelberry, T. Riggs Eckelberry
  • Publication number: 20150087049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a research photobioreactor for growth at extremely high cell densities in axenic cultures of cyanobacteria and microalgae exposed to a high light intensity. A hydrophobic gas-permeable first membrane situated at the bottom of the reaction chamber serves for the entry of CO2 into the cell suspension. The first membrane separates the CO2 containing gaseous phase in a basis chamber from the cell suspension that covers the membrane. It has a permeability coefficient for the gases of air many times that of the physically feasible rate of absorption of these gases in water. The turbulent flow within the cell suspension is obtained by shaking. A high shearing rate hereby realized increases the CO2 absorption rate in the liquid phase close to the membrane, thus avoiding C-limitation. A porous hydrophobic gas-permeable second membrane separates the reaction chamber from at least one gas exchange chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Rudolf Ehwald, Lars Bähr, Arne Wüstenberg
  • Patent number: 8986985
    Abstract: An invention proposes a photobioreactor with a cultivation chamber in the form of a shallow closed trough that is irradiated by the sun light. The bottom section of the shallow closed trough comprises an elongated polymer flexible film, which is arranged with small inclination to the horizontal plane; the middle longitudinal section of the elongated polymer flexible film plays a role of the bottom cover of the shallow closed trough. A bank of translucent or transparent flat rigid members, which are abutted in-line with a small inclination to the horizontal plane, provides required rigidity to the entire photobioreactor. The translucent or transparent flat rigid members are provided with longitudinal bottom spacers and joined with the lateral longitudinal sections of the elongated polymer flexible film. In addition, the translucent flat rigid members serve for closing the shallow trough from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Alexander Levin
  • Publication number: 20150072408
    Abstract: A biological reactor with full-wavelength controllable light sources is disclosed. A tank with a top includes a tank cover. A helical agitator of quartz glass inside the tank, and one end of the helical agitator connected with the tank cover. A temperature and pH value sensor inside the tank, and connected with the tank cover. The bottom of the tank is in communication with one end of a fermentation broth outlet pipe which is includes a switch valve, and the other end of the fermentation broth outlet pipe penetrates through the peripheral box. The tank cover includes a medium inlet pipe in communication with the tank, and one end of the medium inlet pipe located out of the tank includes a second sterilizing filter and penetrates through the peripheral box. A side wall of the tank includes a full-wavelength LED device with adjustable wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Ying Wang, Chunchao Liu, Jingzhou Dong, Xinlan Xu