Systems and methods for harvesting algae from photobioreactors

US8734805B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Solix Biosystems, Inc. · US
• COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION · US

Inventors

• Peter F. Hentges · Fort Collins, US
• Thomas Carroll Barlow · Loveland, US
• Jeff Tyler Penoyer · Fort Collins, US
• David Gorham · Denver, US
• Jason Quinn · Fort Collins, US
• Peter Allen Letvin · Fort Collins, US
• Christopher Wayne Turner · Fort Collins, US
• Guy Robert Babbitt · Fort Collins, US
• Nicholas Paul Echter · Wheat Ridge, US
• James Howland · Mayfield Heights, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2010
• Grant date: May 27, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12N1/12
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for harvesting algae according to embodiments of the present invention includes filling a reservoir at least partially with a liquid, submerging a bag at least partially in the liquid, the bag containing media, the media comprising algae, the bag comprising a first end, a second end, a harvesting port located closer to the first end than to the second end, and a gas port, delivering gas into the bag through the gas port, and raising the second end of the bag by accumulating the gas at the second end to flow the media toward the harvesting port.