Abstract: A light pipe for use in aqueous environments comprising an optical rod capable of total internal reflection, and disposed in the optical path of a light source such as a light emitting diode or other source. The optical rod has frosted and unfrosted portions, such that the light is propagated distally along the rod at the unfrosted portions, but a portion of the light is coupled out of the rod into the aqueous environment at each of the frosted portions. The relative sizes of the frosted portions are arranged so that substantially the same light power is coupled out of the rod at each frosted section, thus facilitating rapid and uniform growth of algae in the aqueous environment.

Abstract: A light pipe for use in aqueous environments comprising an optical rod capable of total internal reflection, and disposed in the optical path of a light source such as a light emitting diode or other source. The optical rod has frosted and unfrosted portions, such that the light is propagated distally along the rod at the unfrosted portions, but a portion of the light is coupled out of the rod into the aqueous environment at each of the frosted portions. The relative sizes of the frosted portions are arranged so that substantially the same light power is coupled out of the rod at each frosted section, thus facilitating rapid and uniform growth of algae in the aqueous environment.

Abstract: A light pipe for use in aqueous environments comprising an optical rod capable of total internal reflection, and disposed in the optical path of a light source such as a light emitting diode or other source. The optical rod has frosted and unfrosted portions, such that the light is propagated distally along the rod at the unfrosted portions, but a portion of the light is coupled out of the rod into the aqueous environment at each of the frosted portions. The relative sizes of the frosted portions are arranged so that substantially the same light power is coupled out of the rod at each frosted section, thus facilitating rapid and uniform growth of algae in the aqueous environment.

Abstract: Algae-based bioremediation systems and methods in which algae is grown in a photobioreactor with nutrients supplied from a nutrient system. An effluent stream in need of remediation is ported to a pond or lagoon and the lagoon is inoculated repetitively with algae grown in the photobioreactor. In an embodiment, a first stage comprises an anaerobic digester which generates combustible gas that can be burned to generate at least a portion of the gas and electricity needed to operate some or all of the nutrient system, the photobioreactor and the lagoon or pond. In some embodiments, the pond or lagoon is multiphasic, and comprises anaerobic and aerobic remediation zones.

Abstract: A bubble column for facilitating algae growth comprised a tank adapted to contain a volume of growth medium with algae growing therein, with a light pipe disposed centrally therein and extending from near the top surface of the growth medium in the tank to near the bottom of the tank. The light pipe illuminates substantially the entire volume of the growth medium. A diffuser is positioned at or near the bottom of the tank and receives a gas stream, and converts the gas stream to a stream of bubbles that agitate the algae without creating a fluid flow within the tank.

Abstract: A photobioreactor for growing algae comprises a tank for holding a volume of growth medium. A plurality of light sources are disposed either within the tank or externally to it in a manner to illuminate substantially uniformly the entire volume of growth medium when the tank is in operation. At least one draft tube is disposed within the tank, above the floor or bottom of the tank, and a diffuser for diffusing a gas stream is disposed near the bottom of the tank so that gas bubbles released from the diffuser rise to the surface of the liquid within the draft tube, thus causing fluid flow upward within the draft tube and downward outside of it, imparting a mixing or agitating motion to algae strains growing within the tank.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing or minimizing the death of algae in algae growth systems in the event of a loss of power comprise automated selective alteration of operating parameters of the growth system to minimize the impact of the loss of power.

Abstract: A nutrient system for automatically supplying growth medium to an algae growth system comprises a tank for mixing nutrients, together with a plurality of computer-controlled pumps for supplying metered amounts of selected constituents to the tank. The nutrient mix is heated to a preselected temperature under computer control, and recirculated until the desired uniformity is achieved. The nutrient mix is then supplied to the algae growth system.