Photobioreactors, Solar Energy Gathering Systems, and Thermal Control Methods

Abstract

The present invention provides photobioreactors, solar energy gathering systems, and methods for thermal control of a culture medium containing a phototrophic organism in a photobioreactor, that allow temperature control in a cost effective manner, reducing the energy required for temperature control of a culture medium containing phototrophic microorganisms in a photobioreactor.

1 .- 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A photobioreactor comprising:
 (a) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism and culture medium therefor; the reactor chamber being one of a plurality of about 5 cm wide channels of a flexible thin-film photobioreactor panel having a width between about 50 cm and 3 m, and a length between 1 and 100 m long and   (b) a heat exchange chamber for containing a heat exchange liquid; wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism, and the reactor chamber and heat exchange chamber are in thermal contact substantially through a separating layer.   
     
     
         56 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber are an integral part of the photobioreactor. 
     
     
         57 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber are structurally coupled and in close proximity 
     
     
         58 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the heat exchange chamber abuts the reactor chamber, and the separating layer is a polymer sheet. 
     
     
         59 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber are made of thin-film material, and the photobioreactor is structurally adapted for horizontal placement on ground and/or for floating on water. 
     
     
         60 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the reactor chamber and heat exchange chamber are designed for passive thermal regulation. 
     
     
         61 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the photobioreactor is adapted to float on water. 
     
     
         62 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the heat exchange chamber is adapted to be partially embedded in the ground. 
     
     
         63 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , further comprising a thermal control layer between the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber providing controllable thermal contact therebetween. 
     
     
         64 . A solar energy gathering system comprising:
 (a) a photobioreactor comprising:
 (i) a reactor chamber for enclosing a phototrophic microorganism and culture medium therefor; the reactor chamber being one of a plurality of about 5 cm wide channels of a flexible thin-film photobioreactor panel having a width between about 50 cm and 3 m, and a length between 1 and 100 m long; and 
 (ii) a heat exchange chamber for containing a heat exchange fluid; wherein the reactor chamber and heat exchange chamber are in thermal contact substantially through a separating layer; 
   (b) a cooling device adapted for controlled cooling and/or exchange of heat exchange fluid; wherein at least part of the reactor chamber is transparent for light of a wavelength that is photosynthetically active in the phototrophic microorganism.   
     
     
         65 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the reactor chamber contains a culture medium and is positioned substantially horizontally to provide a headspace above the culture medium in the reactor chamber. 
     
     
         66 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the cooling device comprises a pump, and tubes for flowing of the heat exchange liquid, the tubes being shaped and positioned to support cooling of the heat exchange liquid in air flow affected by the pump. 
     
     
         67 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the reactor chamber contains a culture medium and is positioned substantially horizontally to provide a headspace above the culture medium in the reactor chamber, the reactor chamber facing upwards for receiving solar energy and the heat exchange chamber being partially embedded in the ground. 
     
     
         68 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the photobioreactor is adapted and configured to float on water, the reactor chamber contains a culture medium and is positioned substantially horizontally to provide a headspace above the culture medium in the reactor chamber, the reactor chamber faces upwards for receiving solar energy, and the heat exchange chamber is being partially surrounded by water. 
     
     
         69 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64  comprising a plurality of photobioreactors, heat exchange fluid of these photobioreactors being controllably cooled and/or exchanged by the cooling device. 
     
     
         70 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber are an integral part of the photobioreactor. 
     
     
         71 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber are structurally coupled and in close proximity. 
     
     
         72 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the heat exchange chamber abuts the reactor chamber, and the separating layer is a polymer sheet. 
     
     
         73 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber are made of thin-film material, and the photobioreactor is structurally adapted for horizontal placement on ground and/or for floating on water. 
     
     
         74 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the cooling device controllably exchanges heat exchange liquid from the heat exchange chamber. 
     
     
         75 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 74 , wherein the heat exchange liquid is water and the cooling device controllably exchanges water from the heat exchange chamber with cooler water from a different source. 
     
     
         76 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 75 , wherein the photobioreactor floats on water, and the cooling device controllably exchanges water from the heat exchange volume with water on which the photobioreactor floats. 
     
     
         77 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the photobioreactor comprises a plurality of reactor chambers and each of the reactor chambers is, independently, in thermal contact with the heat exchange chamber substantially through a separating layer. 
     
     
         78 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the photobioreactor comprises a plurality of reactor chambers and a plurality of heat exchange chambers, and each of the reactor chamber is, independently, in thermal contact with a corresponding heat exchange chamber substantially through a separating layer. 
     
     
         79 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the photobioreactor comprises a plurality of reactor chambers and a plurality of heat exchange chambers, the reactor chambers being channels positioned substantially parallel to each other and providing a first side of the photobioreactor, the heat exchange chambers being channels positioned substantially parallel to each other and providing a second side opposite the first side, and the reactor chambers and the heat exchange chambers being separated by a separating layer. 
     
     
         80 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the reactor chamber and heat energy system are designed for passive thermal regulation. 
     
     
         81 . The solar energy gathering system of  claim 64 , wherein the photobioreactor further comprises a thermal control layer between the reactor chamber and the heat exchange chamber providing controllable thermal contact therebetween. 
     
     
         82 .- 96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . The photobioreactor of  claim 55 , wherein the channels are 3 cm wide.