Solar Receiver for a Photo-Bioreactor

Abstract

A solar receiver for a photo-bioreactor comprises a support having an interior, a vessel for supporting a biological culture, and at least one optical element. The optical element is arranged to receive light, and to direct the light to the interior of the support, to which the vessel is mounted.

1 . A solar receiver for a photo-bioreactor comprising a support having an interior, a vessel for supporting a biological culture, and at least one optical element, wherein the at least one optical element is arranged to receive light, and to direct said light to the interior of the support, to which the vessel is mounted. 
     
     
         2 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  comprising two optical elements, a first optical element comprising a director, and a second optical element comprising a reflector. 
     
     
         3 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the director comprises a lens arranged to direct light to the reflector. 
     
     
         4 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the director comprises a lens arranged to direct light to the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the reflector comprises a mirror arranged to receive light from the lens, and to reflect said light to the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . A solar receiver according to  claim 3  wherein the lens is a Fresnel-type lens. 
     
     
         7 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the lens is a non-imaging Fresnel-type lens adapted to direct light over at least part of the surface of the mirror. 
     
     
         8 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the lens and the mirror are respectively arranged such that the reflective surface of the mirror is located at the principal focal length of the lens. 
     
     
         9 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the lens is formed from a transparent plastics material. 
     
     
         10 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the mirror is substantially convex in form. 
     
     
         11 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solar receiver is arranged, in use, to allow sufficient light to be directed to the vessel to facilitate photosynthesis. 
     
     
         12 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solar receiver is arranged, in use, to allow light to be directed to the vessel that is sufficient for optimal photosynthetic function of the biological culture supported therein. 
     
     
         13 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the vessel is adapted to allow a given range of wavelengths of light to pass to the interior of the vessel, the range of wavelengths being dependent on the accessory pigments of a bacterial culture supported within the vessel, and may be selected by one skilled in the art. 
     
     
         14 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the vessel is formed from a material that allows a desired range of wavelengths of light to pass to the interior of the vessel. 
     
     
         15 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the material is transparent to the desired range of wavelengths of light required for photosynthesis. 
     
     
         16 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the vessel comprises an elongated length of tubing, having respective ends, each respective end of the tubing being adapted to engage with at least part of a photo-bioreactor. 
     
     
         17 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the tubing is arranged in a helical array. 
     
     
         18 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the tubing is arranged generally in the form of a conic helix. 
     
     
         19 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the reflector is arranged to direct light to the internal face of the helix. 
     
     
         20 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support is adapted to allow a given range of wavelengths of light to pass to the interior of the vessel, the range of wavelengths being dependent on the accessory pigments of a bacterial culture supported within the vessel. 
     
     
         21 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support is formed from a material that will allow a desired range of wavelengths of light to pass to the interior of the vessel. 
     
     
         22 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein apertures are provided in the surface of the support to allow light to pass through the surface of the support. 
     
     
         23 . A solar receiver as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support further comprises means for securing the vessel thereto. 
     
     
         24 . An array comprising a plurality of interconnected solar receivers according to  claim 1 , the vessel for each receiver being in fluid communication with a vessel for at least one other solar receiver. 
     
     
         25 . An array as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the array further comprises means for supplying each solar receiver of the array with nutrients, and means for removing a sample from each or some of the solar receivers. 
     
     
         26 . An array as claimed in  claim 24  wherein a common pipe is arranged to supply each of the solar receivers with nutrients and wherein a second common pipe is arranged to remove a sample from said solar receivers.