Abstract: An integrated process in which aerobic fermentation and photosynthesis are combined. In a first step, fermentation is conducted to produce cells which are recovered. The effluent from the fermentation is used for cultivation of algae with the carbon dioxide produced in the fermentation step being circulated to the algae production step.

Abstract: An improved method for promoting algae growth in a sewage medium is disclosed. A high density algae culture can be obtained in a sewage water treatment process by placing algae in pure water separated by a dialysis membrane from sewage water wherein osmotic interaction occurs across the membrane. In a preferred embodiment algae is placed in pure water in dialysis tubing and the tubing is suspended in the presence of light in sewage water for osmotic interaction therewith.

Abstract: A chlorella-culturing apparatus comprises a rotatable arm body fitted with a stirring mechanism for forcefully producing stirring streams by stirring blades and scraping mechanism. The scraping mechanism is so mounted on the rotatable arm body as to slide up and down. It is brought down when the chlorella-culturing apparatus discharges cultured chlorella, and rotated with the arm body in contact with a bottom board and inner peripheral surface of a chlorella-culturing tank. At least one chlorella-discharging groove is formed in the bottom board of the chlorella-culturing tank. Deposits removed by the scraping mechanism are carried together with a chlorella-culturing liquid into the discharging groove by the scraping mechanism. The central pillar and side wall of the chlorella-culturing tank have an inclined surface which is sprayed with water to prevent cultured chlorella and any other material from being deposited on said surface.

Abstract: A matrix of algae mutants and method of obtaining thereby uranium from sea water, according to which a matrix is prepared of uranium compatible algae mutants suitable for picking up uranium dissolved in sea water, which matrix is then placed in an area of the sea in which low and high tides pass streams of sea water through the above mentioned matrix.

Abstract: A self watering bean sprout growing method and kit are provided. The kit includes a water impervious growth chamber in the configuration of a large open cooking vessel. A support surface is placed in the growth chamber and covered with a premoistened absorbent membrane over which bean seeds are spread in a layer. Provision is made for stacking alternate layers of membranes and bean or other seeds one on the other above the support surface to selectively vary the quantity of each batch of bean or other edible sprouts to be propagated. The growth chamber is capped with a water pervious primary reservoir whereby moisture is admitted to the growth chamber through the bottom of the reservoir. Venting of air to the growth chamber is provided between the auxiliary reservoir and the top of the growth chamber. The support surface comprises the bottom of an inverted vessel placed in the bottom of the growth chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the art of hydroponic germinating of seeds for their sprouts. The device comprises a frusto-conical transparent jar, a cooperating screen member and a cooperating water receptacle. The jar and screen member are positioned on and above the water receptacle.

Abstract: A method of waste treatment and algae recovery involves making available in a first pond open to light and air a first body of waste water such as sewage containing algae, the algae growing on the contained nutrients. The first body is retained under natural culture conditions for a predetermined detention period, usually several days, and is then transferred to a second pond as a second body open to light and air. To the second body some normal algal nutrients are added and more particularly the body is continuously agitated at a moderate rate to maintain the growing algae in suspension. Preferably, to the second body and with the nutrients, there is added an amount of lime insufficient to cause coagulation of the algae. After a predetermined detention time of several days in the second, mixing pond the mixed material is transferred to a third pond. The third pond is shielded from the light and is dark. The third pond is unagitated and is quiet.

Abstract: Water containing nutrients is added to powdered activated carbon or passed through a layer of granular activated carbon for clarification, and water cultivation is effected in facilities by supplying the nourishing water in a water cultivation vessel, inserting seedlings of vegetables to a water cultivation panel installed above the vessel, and, if necessary, providing atmospheric conditions, water temperature and water quality suitable for the growth of the seedlings.

Abstract: Processes for growing chlorophyllose plants in greenhouses using carbon dioxide and heat generated in exothermic aerobic fermentation processes in which carbon dioxide is produced.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable seed germinator especially adapted for viewing seed growth comprises a unitary body formed by sealing two sheets of plastic material, at least one of which is transparent, to form an enlarged germination chamber, a relatively thin plant nutrient chamber, a water reservoir chamber and channels connecting the water reservoir to the nutrient chamber and the germination chamber. The germinator may be supplied with or without seeds and/or plant nutrients depending upon its intended use.

Abstract: A sealed double tank assembly for use in artificially cultivating photosynthetic substances such as chlorella. Accelerated growth of highly pure culture is obtained by means of a combination of a plurality of nozzles to emit mixed gases of carbon dioxide and ammonia, sources of light for intermittent application of light substantially similar to natural light, and agitator vanes for agitation of culture fluid in an inner tank, and an outer tank for temperature control.

Abstract: A method for converting feedlot fecal waste materials into methane and animal feed is disclosed. In the disclosed method, the feedlot fecal waste materials are collected, combined with water to form a slurry and the slurry is thereafter subjected to an anaerobic fermentation process. The anaerobic fermentation process is carried out under conditions such that a methane rich gas is formed which can be collected and utilized as an energy source. The liquid residue material from the anaerobic fermentation step is thereafter subjected to an aerobic fermentation process to produce a protein rich material that can be utilized as an animal feed. The liquid residue remaining from the aerobic fermentation process can be utilized as a fertilizer material.

Abstract: Culturing an alga with known flocculant production capability on the soil for the purposes of aggregating soil particles is disclosed. According to the disclosure, flocculant producing algae are known in liquid culture medium as disclosed in pending application Ser. No. 421,527 filed Dec. 4, 1973. The nitrogen in the culture medium is maintained so that cellular nitrogen does not fall below 10%. The algae are then inoculated onto soil which is provided with supplemental nutrients and moisture sufficient to produce a multiplication on the order of several hundred fold. The nutrients other than nitrogen are provided in sufficient quantity to permit a further period of growth during which algal flocculants are produced which have the property of binding soil particles into workable aggregates.

Abstract: Germinating apparatus for sprouting seeds such as bean sprouts or the like. The apparatus is comprised of a vertical arrangement of alternately stacked base members and dish members with base members forming the top and bottom members of the arrangement. The base members are formed having an imperforate top wall with a recessed portion for retaining water, and a downturned peripheral side wall flaring outwardly and terminating below the top wall. The dish members are formed having a foraminous bottom wall on which the beans are dispersed, and an upturned peripheral side wall flaring outwardly and terminating above the bottom wall. Support means are provided for maintaining the foraminous bottom wall of each dish member a preselected distance above the recessed portion of the base member immediately therebelow so that the beans can be maintained in spaced relation to the surface of the water in the recessed portion of the base member.

Abstract: Water with algae and nutrients follow a meandering flow path, across which are established alternating, wide, dark and narrow, illuminating zones.

Abstract: Cultivation of algae to produce long chain polymers having flocculating properties is disclosed. Algae are cultivated in an aqueous nutrient medium until relatively high culture densities are achieved and thereafter under conditions in which the cells become deficient in nitrogen thereby causing the cells to shift from a growth phase in which protein production predominates to a growth phase in which extracellular polymer production predominates. An adequate supply of other nutrients as well as CO.sub.2 and light are maintained in the culture medium during the latter phase to insure that a change in cell metabolism is produced by a deficiency in nitrogen. The algae then produce high molecular weight polymers exhibiting strong flocculating activity.

Abstract: A method of producing an algae product and of purifying aqueous organic waste material to provide clean water. Starting algae and aqueous waste are admixed in sufficient amount to provide nutrients for the algae, which are grown in symbiotic relationship with aerobic bacteria present. The mixture is aerated and, if desired, carbon dioxide added, and is exposed to alternate periods of light (e.g., 1/2 second to ten seconds) and darkness (about ten times as long as the light period) to accelerate growth of the algae, harvesting the algae product to maintain the growth rate at a very high level. A device for effecting agitation and intermittent light exposure includes a reaction tank having a generally vertical wall in the form of a parabolic curve, injectors debouching into the bottom of the tank opposite the parabolic-curve wall and causing circulation so that injected and other material is forced rapidly upwardly, and a baffle transversely across the upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: Plant cells are grown continuously in a tubular transparent plastic structure through which water containing nutrients and carbon dioxide are passed. A suspension of plant cells in the water grow on exposure to light and can be harvested as a food material.

Abstract: A method of growing high quality bean sprouts on a mass production basis which consists briefly of placing a relatively large quantity of mung beans in a container, leveling and covering the quantity of beans with a substantially opaque receptacle cover for temporarily holding a quantity of water, the cover being formed with openings for the immediate distributed passage of water therethrough, initially covering the quantity of germinated beans with warm water and immediately draining the water from the container and thereafter periodically wetting said sprouts, draining off all water in the container, injecting warm air at a low pressure in a reverse direction to the drainage flow, and repeating the watering, drainage, and presurizing steps at intervals until the bean sprouts have matured.The apparatus consists briefly of a container having vertical side walls, bottom walls sloping at a slight angle to a central drain and a screen covering the drain area.

Abstract: A balanced system for purifying aquatic media and maintaining aquatic specimens which comprises biological filtration, mechanical filtration and algae propagation.