Advantages:
Protects algae from contaminants to provide consistent biomass, Cost reducing low-energy passive systems, Automated cultivation and harvesting, Increased capacity for same footprint.
In one embodiment, an algae cultivation system includes a basin that contains a liquid and a photobioreactor at least partially immersed in the liquid of the basin, the photobioreactor comprising a closed container including multiple panels that together define an interior space in which algae can be cultivated, at least one of the panels being transparent, the photobioreactor further comprising an inflatable float associated with the container that can be filled with a gas to change one or both of the position and orientation of the container within the liquid. USF inventors have developed a novel method to cultivate, harvest, and dewater algae in wastewater. The method separates the culture from the growth media and includes a photobioreactor with a porous membrane filter that allows passive transport of constituents. A gas control valve allows for selective control over gases produced by algae growth. These gases are retained within the photobioreactor and increase the pressure within the space, allowing for passive dewatering of the algae before harvesting. This entire process improves the economic competitiveness as it saves energy and cost associated with sterilizing the media and dewatering the algae.
Brochure
