Method for culturing photoautotrophic microorganisms for the production of biomass

US9200244B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Celldeg GbR · DE

Inventors

• Rudolf Ehwald · Berlin, DE
• Lars Bähr · Berlin, DE
• Arne Wüstenberg · Berlin, DE
• Joel Herve Soh · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 16, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 1, 2015
• Expiry date: Nov 20, 2032

Classification

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

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cultivating photoautotrophic micro-organisms, comprising the following steps: provision of a photosynthesis layer, which contains a photosynthesis medium and photoautotrophic micro-organisms suspended therein, in a closed accommodation space having a gas-diffusion-inhibiting outer boundary, wherein the photosynthesis layer has an average thickness of no more than 10 mm; exposure of the photosynthesis layer without eddying or feeding through a gas in the photosynthesis medium while limiting the diffusive gas exchange of the accommodation space by the environment, wherein the supply of micro-organisms in the photosynthesis medium with hydrogen carbonate ions is maintained by storing hydrogen carbonate ions in the photosynthesis medium and/or providing a photosynthesis substrate in the form of carbon dioxide and hydrogen carbonate from a cell-free carbon storage medium outside the photosynthesis layer; and conducting a gas formed during photosynthesis out of the accommodation space.