Solar Biofactory, Photobioreactors, Passive Thermal Regulation Systems And Methods for Producing Products

Abstract

The invention described herein relates to photobioreactors, methods, assembly and use of such apparatus for culturing light-capturing organisms in a cost-effective manner. Various embodiments provide for a passive thermal regulation system employing selected microorganisms in a photobioreactor apparatus and methods for biological production of various fuel and chemical products from these organisms. Additional embodiments provide a solar biofactory system capable of culturing light capturing organisms to an areal productivity of 3.3 g/m2/hr. Further embodiments are directed to a photobioreactor capable of culturing light capturing organisms to an OD 730 of about 14 g/L DCW. Such embodiments incorporate passive thermal regulation and systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photobioreactor assembly comprising:
 a reactor structure;   a greenhouse structure configured to provide a greenhouse environment for the reactor structure, the reactor structure and the greenhouse structure spaced relative to each other to provide temperature control of the photobioreactor; wherein the reactor structure comprises a closed reactor and the greenhouse structure comprises at least two side sheets spaced apart with the reactor disposed therebetween.   
     
     
         2 .- 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of a surface of the reactor is at least translucent. 
     
     
         7 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sheets diffuse light to illuminate the reactor. 
     
     
         8 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one sheet includes a radiation shielding material. 
     
     
         9 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein temperature control is maintained within 10° C. of ambient. 
     
     
         10 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein temperature control is maintained within 5° C. of ambient. 
     
     
         11 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising chimney means for allowing use of ambient air for temperature control. 
     
     
         12 . In a photobioreactor, the improvement of providing chimney means for employing ambient air to provide temperature control of the photobioreactor. 
     
     
         13 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The photobioreactor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the reactor structure is thermoformed.