Abstract: Light, heat, gas exchange, and water motion are all required elements to sustain aquatic photosynthetic organisms. Rather than providing separate systems, a flux of photons appropriate for photosynthetic organisms, including algae, is dispersed throughout the surrounding water. A gas source performs water movement and circulation by acting as an airlift pump while performing a liquid-gas mass transfer. Finally, heat is added to the surrounding liquid by a heat source or the light source, which increases the rate at which microorganisms grow and improve efficiencies. By combining these necessary components for aquatic life support, efficiencies are increased, costs are saved, and photosynthetic organism growth is regulated.

Abstract: An aquaculture harvesting, gas exchange, and media circulation device and method of use for the cultivation and collection of microalgae is disclosed. The current invention couples water motion, gas exchange, and harvesting into one comprehensive system. A modified airlift pump is used to circulate water, exchange gas, and facilitate harvesting. By eliminating other energy consuming components, a more energy efficient and cost effective device and method is disclosed for the production of microalgae, which can be used as a biofuel or food source while simultaneously removing carbon dioxide from the environment.