Method And System For Robotic Algae Harvest

Abstract

A Robotic Algae Harvester (RAH) of the present invention works by providing a CO 2 collection mechanism that is installed in power plants or vehicles. These systems are available using current technology and have been proven to be scalable. CO 2 is then transported to RAH using ships. The RAH will feed and re-circulate algae broth through the photobioreactors (PBRs). The PBRs float in the ocean while the algae through photosynthesis will transform the CO 2 into biomass in a continuous process. The extracted algae will processed into a stable mix of oil and bi-product and transferred to the ship that brought the CO 2 . The algae is then processed onshore in some of the following manners: converted to biodiesel via transesterification; converted to bio-ethanol via fermentation; burned for electricity generation; and/or used as protein for animal feed or food products.

1 . A method for robotic algae harvest comprising the steps of:
 transporting collected carbon dioxide to an algae broth location;
 said algae broth location being an ocean going platform; 
 a set of floating interconnecting photobioreactors creating the ocean going platform; 
   continuously feeding and re-circulating the algae broth through a plurality of photobioreactors;   suspending said photobioreactors and the algae broth in the ocean;   transforming the CO 2  into biomass in a continuous process of photosynthesis;   changing the buoyancy of the platform and photobioreactors using the CO 2  available;   extracting algae;   transferring the extracted algae using wave energy; and   preprocessing the extracted algae into a stable mix of oil and one or more by-products.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of collecting carbon dioxide to be transported to an algae broth location. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 transporting the extracted algae to an onshore location;   processing the extracted algae onshore.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the extracted algae is processed into biodiesel via a transesterification process. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the extracted algae is converted to bio-ethanol via a fermentation process. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the extracted algae is burned for electricity generation or as a direct fuel source. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the extracted algae is used as protein for feed or dietary complement. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 autonomously controlling the location of a platform moving it to zones with high photosynthetically active radiation; and   submerging the photobioreactors in cases where the weather or sea conditions could damage the system.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 creating a platform from a set of floating interconnecting photobioreactors;   providing processing and control modules; and   providing loading and unloading stations.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating energy by wave, wind, or solar means;   using energy generated by wave, wind, or solar energy to move the platform to zones with high photosynthetically active radiation; and   using energy generated by wave, wind, or solar energy to optimize photosynthetically active radiation; and   using the energy generated by the waves to provide algae broth pumping to minimize photo-saturation, de-oxygenation, pipe cleaning and the power needs of the system.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 changing the buoyancy of the platform and photobioreactors by using the amount of CO 2  or air mixture available in the system.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of:
 circulating water through the photobioreactors to prevent photosaturation, to enrich the broth with CO 2 , to reduce the amount of oxygen and to clean the surfaces.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of using a conventional pump to pump the algae broth. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of using oceans waves to directly pump the algal broth. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 recapturing carbon dioxide;   utilizing the recaptured carbon dioxide to feed the algae at a rate that can keep up with its growth.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of using triangular shaped photobioreactors organized into hexagons. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing each triangle shaped photobioreactor water inflatable tubes in its periphery for compression support. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the water inflatable tubes include a tensioned wire frame core for rigidity and to hold algae tubing; 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each triangle shaped photobioreactor includes air pockets to provide buoyancy control.