公开(公告)号：US10123495B2

公开(公告)日：2018-11-13

申请号：US14596451

申请日：2015-01-14

Applicant: GENERAL ATOMICS

Inventor： David W. Ordway ,  David A. Hazlebeck

IPC: C12M1/04 ,  A01G33/00 ,  B01D53/14 ,  C12M1/34 ,  C12M1/00 ,  C12M1/36

Abstract: A system and method for creating a useful carbon-enriched media in a reactor which will assimilate carbon into an algae biomass, requires measuring a respective carbon concentration of the media, C(measured), as it enters, and as it leaves the reactor. Operationally, desired carbon concentration values are preset, C(set), and are provided along with values obtained for C(measured) as input to a system controller. Respective differentials between C(measured) and C(set) at the reactor's input and output ports are determined by the controller and are used to control a volumetric fluid flow rate of the media through the reactor. Specifically, the controller establishes a volumetric fluid flow rate of the media as it is passed through an absorber where the media is carbon-enriched by interaction with combustion gases from an external source (e.g. a power plant).

公开(公告)号：US08748162B2

公开(公告)日：2014-06-10

申请号：US13973638

申请日：2013-08-22

Applicant: General Atomics

Inventor： David A. Hazlebeck ,  Jiping Zhang ,  Xiaoxi Wu

IPC: C12N1/12 ,  C12N1/00

CPC classification number: C12N1/12 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M23/02 ,  C12M29/12

Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种在藻类培养装置中使用脉冲流来循环藻类的系统和方法。 为了抵消生物污染对藻类栽培设备的负面影响，产生脉冲流，以周期性地移动通过藻类栽培设备。 脉冲流将移除附着在装置各个表面上的藻类细胞，并且还会产生湍流以搅动可能已经沉降到装置底部的任何藻类细胞。 为了产生产生有效脉冲流所需的增加的流体流速，从设备周期性地填充有拉脱藻培养物的贮槽位于装置上方的升高位置。 当释放时，藻类培养物通过输送管道传播并进入设备中，导致藻类培养物以非常高的速率流动。

公开(公告)号：US20160251608A1

公开(公告)日：2016-09-01

申请号：US15149717

申请日：2016-05-09

Applicant: GENERAL ATOMICS

Inventor： David A. Hazlebeck ,  Jiping Zhang ,  Kevin W. Downey ,  Xiaoxi Wu

IPC: C12M1/00 ,  A01G33/00 ,  C12M1/36 ,  C12N1/12 ,  C12M1/34 ,  C12M1/06

CPC classification number: C12M29/12 ,  A01G33/00 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M23/02 ,  C12M23/18 ,  C12M27/02 ,  C12M41/44 ,  C12M41/48 ,  C12N1/12 ,  Y02A40/88

Abstract: A device for generating a pulsed flow in a channel containing a circulating algal culture can include a plate that is pivotably mounted on the channel and an activator. A pulsed flow is generated in the channel by first positioning the plate to impede the flow of circulating algal culture and then rotating the plate to a submerged position. The pulsed flow can be employed to counteract the negative effects of bio-fouling on algae cultivation equipment. In another arrangement, a device for generating a pulsed flow in a sloped raceway that is in fluid communication with a sump can include a gate. In different embodiments, the gate can operate as a so-called “pinch gate” or as a so-called “overflow gate.” In another aspect, a variable rate pump, such as a centrifugal pump, a screw pump or an airlift pump, is described for establishing a pulsed flow in a channel.

Abstract translation: 用于在包含循环藻类培养物的通道中产生脉冲流的装置可以包括可枢转地安装在通道上的板和活化剂。 通过首先定位板以阻止循环藻类培养物的流动，然后将板旋转到浸没位置，在通道中产生脉冲流。 脉冲流可用于抵消生物污染对藻类栽培设备的负面影响。 在另一种布置中，用于在与油槽流体连通的倾斜滚道中产生脉冲流的装置可以包括闸门。 在不同的实施例中，门可以作为所谓的“夹紧门”或所谓的“溢流门”运行。另一方面，可变速率泵，例如离心泵，螺杆泵或空气提升泵 描述了用于在通道中建立脉冲流。

公开(公告)号：US20150173317A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-25

申请号：US14596451

申请日：2015-01-14

Applicant: GENERAL ATOMICS

Inventor： David W. Ordway ,  David A. Hazlebeck

IPC: A01G33/00 ,  B01D53/14

CPC classification number: A01G33/00 ,  B01D53/14 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M41/32 ,  C12M41/34 ,  C12M41/48 ,  Y02A40/88 ,  Y02E50/343

Abstract: A system and method for creating a useful carbon-enriched media in a reactor which will assimilate carbon into an algae biomass, requires measuring a respective carbon concentration of the media, C(measured), as it enters, and as it leaves the reactor. Operationally, desired carbon concentration values are preset, C(set), and are provided along with values obtained for C(measured) as input to a system controller. Respective differentials between C(measured) and C(set) at the reactor's input and output ports are determined by the controller and are used to control a volumetric fluid flow rate of the media through the reactor. Specifically, the controller establishes a volumetric fluid flow rate of the media as it is passed through an absorber where the media is carbon-enriched by interaction with combustion gases from an external source (e.g. a power plant).

Abstract translation: 用于在将碳吸收到藻类生物质中的反应器中产生有用的富碳介质的系统和方法需要测量介质C（测量）在进入时的相应碳浓度，以及当其离开反应器时测量相应的碳浓度。 在预期的情况下，期望的碳浓度值为C（设定），并且与作为输入的C（被测量）获得的值一起提供给系统控制器。 反应器输入和输出端口的C（测量）和C（设定）之间的差异由控制器决定，用于控制通过反应器的介质的体积流体流速。 具体地说，控制器确定介质在通过吸收器时的体积流体流速，其中介质通过与来自外部源（例如发电厂）的燃烧气体的相互作用富集碳。

公开(公告)号：US20140322805A1

公开(公告)日：2014-10-30

申请号：US14270800

申请日：2014-05-06

Applicant: GENERAL ATOMICS

Inventor： David A. Hazlebeck ,  Jiping Zhang ,  Kevin W. Downey ,  Xiaoxi Wu

IPC: C12M1/00

CPC classification number: C12M29/12 ,  A01G33/00 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M23/02 ,  C12M23/18 ,  C12M27/02 ,  C12M41/44 ,  C12M41/48 ,  C12N1/12 ,  Y02A40/88

Abstract: A device for generating a pulsed flow in a channel containing a circulating algal culture can include a plate that is pivotably mounted on the channel and an activator. A pulsed flow is generated in the channel by first positioning the plate to impede the flow of circulating algal culture and then rotating the plate to a submerged position. The pulsed flow can be employed to counteract the negative effects of bio-fouling on algae cultivation equipment. In another arrangement, a device for generating a pulsed flow in a sloped raceway that is in fluid communication with a sump can include a gate. In different embodiments, the gate can operate as a so-called “pinch gate” or as a so-called “overflow gate.” In another aspect, a variable rate pump, such as a centrifugal pump, a screw pump or an airlift pump, is described for establishing a pulsed flow in a channel.

Abstract translation: 用于在包含循环藻类培养物的通道中产生脉冲流的装置可以包括可枢转地安装在通道上的板和活化剂。 通过首先定位板以阻止循环藻类培养物的流动，然后将板旋转到浸没位置，在通道中产生脉冲流。 脉冲流可用于抵消生物污染对藻类栽培设备的负面影响。 在另一种布置中，用于在与油槽流体连通的倾斜滚道中产生脉冲流的装置可以包括闸门。 在不同的实施例中，门可以作为所谓的“夹紧门”或所谓的“溢流门”运行。另一方面，可变速率泵，例如离心泵，螺杆泵或空气提升泵 描述了用于在通道中建立脉冲流。

公开(公告)号：US20140030796A1

公开(公告)日：2014-01-30

申请号：US13973638

申请日：2013-08-22

Applicant: General Atomics

Inventor： David A. Hazlebeck ,  Jiping Zhang ,  Xiaoxi Wu

IPC: C12N1/12

CPC classification number: C12N1/12 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M23/02 ,  C12M29/12

Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种在藻类培养装置中使用脉冲流来循环藻类的系统和方法。 为了抵消生物污染对藻类栽培设备的负面影响，产生脉冲流，以周期性地移动通过藻类栽培设备。 脉冲流将移除附着在装置各个表面上的藻类细胞，并且还会产生湍流以搅动可能已经沉降到装置底部的任何藻类细胞。 为了产生产生有效脉冲流所需的增加的流体流速，从设备周期性地填充有拉脱藻培养物的贮槽位于装置上方的升高位置。 当释放时，藻类培养物通过输送管道传播并进入设备中，导致藻类培养物以非常高的速率流动。

公开(公告)号：US20170044478A1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-16

申请号：US15258785

申请日：2016-09-07

Applicant: GENERAL ATOMICS

Inventor： Kevin W. Downey ,  Kenneth R. Liberty ,  David A. Hazlebeck ,  Xiaoxi Wu

IPC: C12M1/00 ,  C12M1/34

CPC classification number: C12M23/18 ,  A01G33/00 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M23/58 ,  C12M41/36 ,  C12N1/12 ,  C12Q3/00 ,  Y02A40/88

Abstract: A system for growing an algal culture to create a biomass includes a plurality of linearly interconnected, sloped-gradient, gravity-driven, raceway ponds. Surface areas of the ponds are sequentially increased in accordance with a multiplier, with the pond surface area of the last raceway pond in the sequence being as large as fifty acres. For the present invention, a fluid transfer system connects each raceway pond with every other raceway pond in the system. Control over each individual raceway pond is provided to monitor and evaluate algal culture in the pond. Based on this evaluation, the fluid transfer system is activated to provide water, nutrients and other additives to maintain predetermined growth parameters for algae in each of the raceway ponds.

Abstract translation: 用于生长藻类培养物以产生生物质的系统包括多个线性相互连接的倾斜梯度重力驱动的滚道池。 池塘的面积按照乘数依次增加，最后一个赛道池塘的池塘表面积依次增加到五十英亩。 对于本发明，流体输送系统将每个滚道池与系统中的每个其它滚道池连接。 提供对每个个体跑道池的控制，以监测和评估池塘中的藻类养殖。 基于该评估，流体转移系统被激活以提供水，营养物和其它添加剂以维持每个滚道池中的藻类的预定生长参数。

公开(公告)号：US20140248601A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-04

申请号：US14256803

申请日：2014-04-18

Applicant: General Atomics

Inventor： David A. Hazlebeck ,  Xiaoxi Wu

IPC: C12N1/12 ,  C12Q3/00 ,  C12M1/00

CPC classification number: C12Q3/00 ,  C12M21/02 ,  C12M23/18 ,  C12M23/58 ,  C12N1/12

Abstract: A method and system are provided for supporting the growth of algae cells. Initially, an inoculum of algae cells are grown in a closed bioreactor. Thereafter, the inoculum is passed into an open Expanding Plug Flow Reactor (EPFR). Growth medium is added at a plurality of locations along the EPFR. This addition is controlled in response to the growth rate of the algae cells to maintain a substantially same concentration of cells at each location in the EPFR. At all times, the medium provides sufficient nutrients to support growth and maintain a high concentration of algae cells, i.e., at least 0.5 grams per liter of medium, in the EPFR. After the desired level of growth is reached, the algae cells are transferred from the EPFR to a standard plug flow reactor wherein oil production is activated in the algae cells.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种支持藻类细胞生长的方法和系统。 最初，藻类细胞的接种物在封闭的生物反应器中生长。 此后，接种物进入开放式膨胀塞流反应器（EPFR）。 沿着EPFR的多个位置添加生长培养基。 响应于藻类细胞的生长速率来控制这种添加以在EPFR中的每个位置保持基本上相同浓度的细胞。 在所有时间，培养基提供足够的营养物以支持生长并保持高浓度的藻类细胞，即EPFR中每升培养基至少0.5克。 在达到所需的生长水平之后，将藻类细胞从EPFR转移到标准的活塞式流动反应器，其中在藻类细胞中产生生油。