Photobioreactor
US9738868B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 4, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12M47/02
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In the present invention, a photobioreactor and process for producing and harvesting microalgae involves a vessel for cultivating microalgae that is at least partially transparent to admit light into the vessel. At least a portion of the transparent part of the vessel is coated with a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer. The TCO layer is transparent to visible light necessary for algae growth, but is opaque to infrared light thereby reducing thermal heating load in the photobioreactor. The TCO layer also acts as an electrode, which when combined with a counter-electrode can provide a potential difference across at least a portion of the interior of the vessel between the TCO layer and the counter-electrode. The electrode arrangement can be utilized in an electrochemical process (e.g. electrodeposition and/or electroflotation) to dewater and harvest the microalgae in the same apparatus as the microalgae was cultivated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.