U.S. patent application number 15/322511 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-18 for mass-cultivation system for microalgae.
The applicant listed for this patent is KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY. Invention is credited to Byung Ryeul BANG, Su Ji JEON, Uen Do LEE, Won YANG.
Application Number | 20170137763 15/322511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55019543 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170137763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Uen Do ; et
al. |
May 18, 2017 |
MASS-CULTIVATION SYSTEM FOR MICROALGAE
Abstract
Disclosed is a mass-cultivation system for microalgae, including
a reactor that contains a cultivation liquid in the interior
thereof, wherein the liquid includes functional particles.
According to the mass-cultivation system for microalgae according
to the present invention, because various functions that are
necessary for cultivation of microalgae may be uniformly
distributed in a cultivation liquid by allowing functional
particles having various functions to flow in the cultivation
liquid, a suitable environment may be created based on the
cultivation of a large amount of microalgae and the growth of
microalgae so that a high efficiency cultivation system may be
realized while the problems of mass-cultivation of an existing
cultivation system may be solved.
Inventors: |
LEE; Uen Do; (Daejeon,
KR) ; YANG; Won; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; BANG;
Byung Ryeul; (Seoul, KR) ; JEON; Su Ji;
(Jeollabuk-do, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY |
Chungcheongnam-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55019543 |
Appl. No.: |
15/322511 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
February 10, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2015/001338 |
371 Date: |
December 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12M 23/58 20130101;
C12M 33/00 20130101; C12M 31/10 20130101; C12M 21/02 20130101; C12M
47/02 20130101; C12M 29/18 20130101; C12M 35/04 20130101; C12M
47/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C12M 1/00 20060101
C12M001/00; C12M 1/42 20060101 C12M001/42; C12M 1/26 20060101
C12M001/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0080836 |
Claims
1. A mass-cultivation system for microalgae, comprising: a reactor
that contains a cultivation liquid in the interior thereof, wherein
the liquid comprises functional particles.
2. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 1, further
comprising: a recycling unit and a recover unit that are
fluid-communicated with the reactor, wherein the functional
particles are introduced into the recycling unit such that
functions thereof are recycled.
3. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 2, wherein
the functional particles comprises one or more of light supply
particles, nutrient supply particles, harmful substance adsorption
particles, CO.sub.2 supply particles, and microalgae recovery
particles.
4. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 3, wherein
each of the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles,
the harmful substance adsorption particles, and the CO.sub.2 supply
particles comprises a hollow capsule that defines an outer side of
the particle.
5. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the light supply particles are
filled with a light emitting material.
6. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the nutrient supply particles are
filled with a nutrient supply material.
7. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the CO.sub.2 supply particles are
filled with CO.sub.2.
8. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the harmful substance adsorption
particles are filled with a harmful substance adsorption
material.
9. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein a
plurality of bosses are formed on surfaces of the microalgae
recovery particles to capture cultivated microalgae.
10. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
one or more of the light supply particles, the nutrient supply
particles, the harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2
supply particles, and the microalgae recovery particles have a
magnetism, and wherein the recycling unit or the recovery unit has
a magnetism so that the particles having a magnetism are separated
to flow to the recycling unit or the recovery unit.
11. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles, the
harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2 supply
particles, and the microalgae recovery particles have a specific
gravity in a predetermined range.
12. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 11, wherein
the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles, the
harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2 supply
particles, and the microalgae recovery particles have different
specific gravities in the predetermined range so that the particles
are separated to flow to the recycling unit or the recovery
unit.
13. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
two or more of the light supply particles, the nutrient supply
particles, the harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2
supply particles, and the microalgae recovery particles are
connected to each other by a connection line.
14. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 5, wherein
the recycling unit comprises a light source or a power supply unit,
and wherein the light supply particles flow to the recycling unit
such that the light emitting material filled in the light supply
particles is recycled by the light source or the power supply unit
and is reintroduced into the reactor.
15. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 4, wherein
the recycling unit contains a nutrient supply material, a light
emitting material, a harmful substance adsorption material, or
CO.sub.2, and wherein the nutrient supply particles, the harmful
substance adsorption particles, or the CO.sub.2 supply particles
flow to the recycling unit such that the nutrient supply material,
the harmful substance adsorption material, or CO.sub.2 contained in
the recycling unit are refilled and are reintroduced into the
reactor.
16. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 9, wherein
the microalgae recovery particles flow to the recovery unit and are
reintroduced into the reactor, and wherein the recovery unit
comprises a freezer unit or a drying unit that freezes or dries the
microalgae captured by the microalgae recovery particles.
17. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 16, wherein
the recovery unit separates the captured microalgae from the
microalgae recovery particles by rotating the frozen or dried
microalgae recovery particles or applying ultrasonic waves or
vibration to the microalgae recovery particles.
18. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 3, wherein
the reactor comprises: a primary reactor, a secondary reactor that
is fluid-communicated with the primary reactor, and a tertiary
reactor that is fluid-communicated with the secondary reactor,
wherein the recycling unit comprises: a first recycling unit that
is fluid-communicated with the primary reactor, a second recycling
unit that is fluid-communicated with the secondary reactor, and a
third recycling unit that is fluid-communicated with the tertiary
reactor, and wherein the recovery unit is fluid-communicated with
the tertiary recycling unit.
19. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 18, wherein
each of the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles,
the harmful substance adsorption particles, and the CO.sub.2 supply
particles comprises a hollow capsule that defines an outer side of
the particle.
20. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the light supply particles are
filled with a light emitting material.
21. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the nutrient supply particles are
filled with a nutrient supply material.
22. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the CO.sub.2 supply particles are
filled with CO.sub.2.
23. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
the interiors of the capsules of the harmful substance adsorption
particles are filled with a harmful substance adsorption
material.
24. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
a plurality of bosses or cilia are formed on surfaces of the
microalgae recovery particles to capture cultivated microalgae.
25. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
one or more of the light supply particles, the nutrient supply
particles, the harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2
supply particles, and the microalgae recovery particles have a
magnetism, and wherein the recycling units or the recovery unit has
a magnetism so that the particles having a magnetism are separated
to flow to the recycling units or the recovery unit.
26. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles, the
harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2 supply
particles, and the microalgae recovery particles have a specific
gravity in a predetermined range.
27. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 26, wherein
the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles, the
harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2 supply
particles, and the microalgae recovery particles have different
specific gravities in the predetermined range so that the particles
are separated to flow to the recycling units or the recovery
unit.
28. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 19, wherein
two or more of the light supply particles, the nutrient supply
particles, the harmful substance adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2
supply particles, and the microalgae recovery particles are
connected to each other by a connection line.
29. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 20, wherein
the light supply particles, the nutrient supply particles, the
CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the harmful substance adsorption
particles circulate between the primary reactor and the first
recycling unit, and between the secondary reactor and the second
recycling unit, and wherein the microalgae recovery particles
circulate between the tertiary reactor and the third recycling
unit.
30. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 29, wherein
the amounts of the light emitting material, the nutrient supply
material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful substance adsorption material
that are respectively filled in the light supply particles, the
nutrient supply particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the
harmful substance adsorption material that circulate the secondary
reactor and the second recycling unit may be larger than the
amounts of the light emitting material, the nutrient supply
material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful substance adsorption material
that are respectively filled in the light supply particles, the
nutrient supply particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the
harmful substance adsorption material that circulate the primary
reactor and the first recycling unit.
31. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 29, wherein
each of the first and second recycling units comprises a light
source or a power supply unit, and wherein the light supply
particles flow to the first and second recycling units such that
the light emitting material filled in the light supply particles is
recycled by the light source or the power supply unit and is
reintroduced into the primary reactor and the secondary
reactor.
32. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 21, wherein
the first and second recycling units contain a nutrient supply
material, a light emitting material, a harmful substance adsorption
material, or CO.sub.2, and wherein the nutrient supply particles,
the harmful substance adsorption particles, or the CO.sub.2 supply
particles flow to the first and second recycling units such that
the nutrient supply material the light emitting material, the
harmful substance adsorption material or CO.sub.2 contained in the
first and second recycling units is refilled and is reintroduced
into the primary reactor 110 and the secondary reactor.
33. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 24, wherein
the microalgae recovery particles flow to the recovery unit and are
reintroduced into the tertiary reactor, and wherein the recovery
unit comprises a freezer unit or a drying unit that freezes or
dries the microalgae captured by the microalgae recovery
particles.
34. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 33, wherein
the recovery unit separates the captured microalgae from the
microalgae recovery particles by rotating the frozen or dried
microalgae recovery particles or applying vibration to the
microalgae recovery particles.
35. The mass-cultivation system for microalgae of claim 3, wherein
two or more of light supply particles, nutrient supply particles,
harmful substance adsorption particles, CO.sub.2 supply particles,
and microalgae recovery particles are integrally formed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit under
35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) of Korean Patent Application No.
10-2014-0080836, filed on Jun. 30, 2014, which is hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to cultivation of microalgae,
and more particularly to a mass-cultivation system for microalgae
that provides an environment that is suitable for cultivation of
microalgae to mass-cultivate microalgae.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] As biomasses may be easily obtained from the nature and may
be resources that may be consistently produced through a
photosynthetic process that uses solar energy, water, and materials
such as carbon dioxide, biofuels that are produced by using the
biomasses also may be consistently produced. In particular, the
efficiency of using microalgae is about 25 times as high as that of
the plants and the carbon dioxide fixing capacity of the microalgae
is also about 15 times as high as that of the plants, so the
productivity for biomasses of the microalgae is also 5 to 10 times
as high as that of the plants. Further, because fat may occupy a
maximum of 70% of the body according to a cultivation condition,
the output of fat per unit area is 50 to 100 times as high as that
of the plants. In recent years, due to the development of
engineering technologies, studies for enhancing the growth speeds
and recovery rates of microalgae have been spotlighted. It is
important to create an optimum environment in which microalgae may
grow in order to enhance the growth speeds and recovery rates of
the microalgae, and in the environment, it is very important to
supply a light source and CO.sub.2 that are suitable for
photosynthesis of microalgae and nutrients necessary for growth of
the microalgae. Accordingly, as a recently published microalgae
cultivation related technology, Korean Patent Application
Publication No. 2011-0085428 discloses a technology of supplying
light from the outside to a transparent reactor to activate
photosynthesis, but it is difficult to mass-cultivate microalgae
because light from an external light source completely reach the
center of the reactor as the size of the reactor increases.
[0006] As a technology for improving the problem, Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2014-039491 discloses a technology of
allowing microalgae in a reactor to flow in a pipe of a specific
diameter and irradiating light into the pipe to constantly supply
light to the microalgae that flows in the pipe regardless of the
size of the reactor, but additional facilities, such as a pipe for
supplying light and a pump for forcing the microalgae to flow, in
addition to the reactor are necessary. Also, as a similar
technology, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0029586
discloses a technology of condensing light with a condenser, and
distributing the condensed light by using a light distributor,
supplying the distributed light to pipe-shaped light guides in a
reactor, but the number of the light guides increases as the size
of the reactor increases, and accordingly, the intensity of light
that is naturally distributed becomes weaker and thus it is
difficult to apply this technology to mass-cultivation of
microalgae. Further, in addition to the light supply problem, it is
very difficult to uniformly distribute various factors, such as
nutrients and CO.sub.2, which are necessary for cultivation of
microalgae if the size of a reactor for mass-cultivation of
microalgae increases, and it is also difficult to recover
microalgae that have been mass-cultivated.
[0007] Further, in spite that various factors for microalgae have
to be changed based on the growth steps, this issue has not been
considered at all.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an
effort to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a
mass-cultivation system for microalgae that may expand the size of
a reactor and mass-cultivate microalgae by uniformly distributing
various factors that are necessary for growth of microalgae in a
cultivation liquid, and may improve the growth speed of the
microalgae by adjusting factors according the growth of the
microalgae, thereby efficiently cultivating and recovering the
microalgae.
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a mass-cultivation system for microalgae, including a
reactor that contains a cultivation liquid in the interior thereof,
wherein the liquid includes functional particles.
[0010] It is preferable that the mass-cultivation system further
includes a recycling unit and a recover unit that are
fluid-communicated with the reactor, and the functional particles
are introduced into the recycling unit such that functions thereof
are recycled.
[0011] It is preferable that the functional particles includes one
or more of light supply particles, nutrient supply particles,
harmful substance adsorption particles, CO.sub.2 supply particles,
and microalgae recovery particles.
[0012] It is preferable that each of the light supply particles,
the nutrient supply particles, the harmful substance adsorption
particles, and the CO.sub.2 supply particles includes a hollow
capsule that defines an outer side of the particle.
[0013] It is preferable that the interiors of the capsules of the
light supply particles are filled with a light emitting
material.
[0014] It is preferable that the interiors of the capsules of the
nutrient supply particles are filled with a nutrient supply
material.
[0015] It is preferable that the interiors of the capsules of the
CO.sub.2 supply particles are filled with CO.sub.2.
[0016] It is preferable that the interiors of the capsules of the
harmful substance adsorption particles are filled with a harmful
substance adsorption material.
[0017] It is preferable that a plurality of bosses are formed on
surfaces of the microalgae recovery particles to capture cultivated
microalgae.
[0018] It is preferable that one or more of the light supply
particles, the nutrient supply particles, the harmful substance
adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the
microalgae recovery particles have a magnetism, and the recycling
unit or the recovery unit has a magnetism so that the particles
having a magnetism are separated to flow to the recycling unit or
the recovery unit.
[0019] It is preferable that the light supply particles, the
nutrient supply particles, the harmful substance adsorption
particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the microalgae
recovery particles have a specific gravity in a predetermined
range.
[0020] It is preferable that the light supply particles, the
nutrient supply particles, the harmful substance adsorption
particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the microalgae
recovery particles have different specific gravities in the
predetermined range so that the particles are separated to flow to
the recycling unit or the recovery unit.
[0021] It is preferable that two or more of the light supply
particles, the nutrient supply particles, the harmful substance
adsorption particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the
microalgae recovery particles are connected to each other by a
connection line.
[0022] It is preferable that the recycling unit includes a light
source or a power supply unit, and the light supply particles flow
to the recycling unit such that the light emitting material filled
in the light supply particles is recycled by the light source or
the power supply unit and is reintroduced into the reactor.
[0023] It is preferable that the recycling unit contains a light
emitting material, a harmful substance adsorption material, or
CO.sub.2, and the nutrient supply particles, the harmful substance
adsorption particles, or the CO.sub.2 supply particles flow to the
recycling unit such that the nutrient supply material, the harmful
substance adsorption material, or CO.sub.2 contained in the
recycling unit are refilled and are reintroduced into the
reactor.
[0024] It is preferable that the microalgae recovery particles flow
to the recovery unit and are reintroduced into the reactor, and the
recovery unit includes a freezer unit or a drying unit that freezes
or dries the microalgae captured by the microalgae recovery
particles.
[0025] It is preferable that the recovery unit separates the
captured microalgae from the microalgae recovery particles by
rotating the frozen or dried microalgae recovery particles or
applying ultrasonic waves or vibration to the microalgae recovery
particles.
[0026] It is preferable that the reactor includes a primary
reactor, a secondary reactor that is fluid-communicated with the
primary reactor, and a tertiary reactor that is fluid-communicated
with the secondary reactor, recycling unit includes a first
recycling unit that is fluid-communicated with the primary reactor,
a second recycling unit that is fluid-communicated with the
secondary reactor, and a third recycling unit that is
fluid-communicated with the tertiary reactor, and the recovery unit
is fluid-communicated with the tertiary recycling unit.
[0027] It is preferable that the light supply particles, the
nutrient supply particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and the
harmful substance adsorption particles circulate between the
primary reactor and the first recycling unit, and between the
secondary reactor and the second recycling unit, and the microalgae
recovery particles circulate between the tertiary reactor and the
third recycling unit.
[0028] It is preferable that the amounts of the light emitting
material, the nutrient supply material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful
substance adsorption material that are filled in the light supply
particles, the nutrient supply particles, the CO.sub.2 supply
particles, and the harmful substance adsorption material that
circulate the secondary reactor and the second recycling unit may
be larger than the amounts of the light emitting material, the
nutrient supply material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful substance
adsorption material that are filled in the light supply particles,
the nutrient supply particles, the CO.sub.2 supply particles, and
the harmful substance adsorption material that circulate the
primary reactor and the first recycling unit.
[0029] It is preferable that each of the first and second recycling
units includes a light source or a power supply unit, and the light
supply particles flow to the first and second recycling units such
that the light emitting material filled in the light supply
particles is recycled by the light source or the power supply unit
and is reintroduced into the primary reactor and the secondary
reactor.
[0030] It is preferable that the first and second recycling units
contain a light emitting material, a harmful substance adsorption
material, or CO.sub.2, and the nutrient supply particles, the
harmful substance adsorption particles, or the CO.sub.2 supply
particles flow to the first and second recycling units such that
the light emitting material, the harmful substance adsorption
material or CO.sub.2 contained in the first and second recycling
units is refilled and is reintroduced into the primary reactor 110
and the secondary reactor.
[0031] It is preferable that the microalgae recovery particles flow
to the recovery unit and are reintroduced into the tertiary
reactor, and the recovery unit includes a freezer unit or a drying
unit that freezes or dries the microalgae captured by the
microalgae recovery particles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of kinds of
functional particles A according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating connection and integration of
functional particles A according to the present invention; and
[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The elements constituting a mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to the present invention may be integrally
used or separately used as occasion demands. Further, some elements
may be omitted according to the usage of the mass-cultivation
system.
[0038] A preferred embodiment of a mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to the present invention will be described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. It should be noted that the
drawings are not to precise scale and may be exaggerated in
thickness of lines or size of components for descriptive
convenience and clarity. In addition, terms used herein are defined
by taking functions of the present invention into account and can
be changed according to user or operator custom or intention.
Therefore, definition of the terms should be made according to the
overall disclosure set forth herein.
[0039] Hereinafter, a mass-cultivation system for microalgae
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to an embodiment of the present invention
includes a reactor 100, a recycling unit 300, and a recovery unit
400.
[0042] It is preferable that the reactor 100 contain a cultivation
liquid for cultivating microalgae and have a hollow cylindrical
shape such that the cultivation liquid smoothly flows in the
reactor 100, and it is more preferable that a gas supply 200 is
located under the reactor 100 to supply gas into the reactor 100 to
allow the cultivation liquid to flow and the supplied gas is a gas
containing CO.sub.2.
[0043] The cultivation liquid includes functional particles A.
[0044] The functional particles A will be described with reference
to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of kinds of
functional particles A according to the present invention. FIG. 3
is a view illustrating connection and integration of functional
particles A according to the present invention.
[0046] The functional particles A give a state or a factor that may
contribute to a series of processes including the growth or
recovery of microalgae when the microalgae are cultivated, and
accordingly, are not limited to a specific embodiment, which will
be described below.
[0047] A plurality of functional particles A are included in the
cultivation liquid to flow together with the cultivation liquid,
and accordingly, provide various functions that are helpful to the
cultivation of the microalgae.
[0048] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the functional
particles A may include light supply particles A1, nutrient supply
particles A2, harmful substance adsorption particles A3, CO.sub.2
supply particles A4, and microalgae recovery particles A5.
[0049] Further, it may be preferable that the functional particles
A have a specific gravity in a predetermined range to be uniformly
distributed in the cultivation liquid without being deposited or
floating in the cultivation liquid, in order to effectively provide
the functions, such that the specific gravity of the functional
particles A is relatively close to the specific gravity of the
cultivation liquid, and for example, it is more preferable that the
specific gravity of the functional particles be the same as or
higher than the specific gravity of the cultivation liquid so that
the particles may be easily controlled. As described above, when
the cultivation liquid include various kinds of functional
particles A, they may have different specific gravities within a
predetermined specific range or have different sizes, and
accordingly, the functional particles A may selectively flow
according to the different specific gravities or sizes so that the
particles may be introduced into the recycling unit 300 after being
sorted.
[0050] Further, the functional particles A may selectively have a
magnetic property according to the kinds thereof to selectively
flow according to whether the functional particles have a magnetic
property.
[0051] In more detail, as an example, it is preferable that the
light supply particles A1, the nutrient supply particles A2, the
harmful substance adsorption particles A3, and the CO.sub.2 supply
particles A4 of the functional particles A include hollow capsules
that constitute outer sides thereof.
[0052] A light emitting material that absorbs light and emits light
may be filled in the interiors of the capsules of the light supply
particles A1. Further, it may be preferable that the capsule is
transparent.
[0053] The capsules of the nutrient supply particles A2 may be
filled with a nutrient material that is helpful to the growth of
microalgae, and the nutrient material is not limited but may
include nutrient materials including nitrogen, phosphor, or a
composite thereof.
[0054] The capsules of the harmful substance adsorption particles
A3 may be filled with an adsorption material for adsorbing a
microalgae growth hampering substance (for example, ammonia based
nitrogen of a high concentration) that is generated by a metabolism
when microalgae are cultivated, and the adsorption material is not
limited but for example, may be an adsorption material including
active carbon or microorganisms that decompose harmful
substances.
[0055] The capsules of the CO.sub.2 supply particles A4 may be
filled with CO.sub.2 that is necessary for photosynthesis of
microalgae, and the phase of CO.sub.2 is not limited but, for
example, may be dry ice for supplying CO.sub.2.
[0056] Bosses or cilia may be formed on the surfaces of the
microalgae recovery particles A5 or the surfaces of the microalgae
recovery particles A5 may be formed of a mesh material such that
the microalgae in the reactor 100 may be easily recovered, and
accordingly, the microalgae that have grown in the reactor 100 to a
specific size or more may be attached on or captured by the
particles.
[0057] Further, in order to efficiently provide functions of the
functional particles A, a plurality of through-holes may be punched
on the surfaces of the functional particles A, and accordingly, the
materials filled in the functional particles A may be
discharged.
[0058] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, two or more identical or
different functional particles A may be connected to each other by
a connection line, and the connection form is not specially limited
but may include a line form, a circular form, or a combination
thereof (see FIGS. 3A to 3F), and the two or more functional
particles A may be integrally formed. For example, the light supply
particles A1 and the microalgae recovery particles A5, the
adsorption particles A3 and the nutrient supply particles A2, or
other combinations may be integrally formed (see FIG. 3G).
Accordingly, the sizes of the functional particles A may be
reduced, and functional particles A that may flow or be recovered
more conveniently may be implemented.
[0059] Further, in addition to the functional particles A, an
impact absorption liquid may be added to adjust a pH of the
cultivation liquid, and particles in which a heat emitting material
or a heat absorbing material may be filled to adjust the
temperature of the cultivation liquid also may be included.
[0060] The recycling unit 300 is fluid-communicated with the
reactor 100, the functional particles A, of which the functions
have been degraded after flowing in the reactor 100, are introduced
into the recycling unit 300 and then is introduced into the reactor
100 again after the functions thereof are recycled, and the
functional particles A are recirculated after the process is
repeated. That is, the recycling unit 300 restores the degraded
functions of the functional particles A.
[0061] In more detail, in the case of the light supply particles
A1, a light/power supply unit is provided in the recycling unit 300
to supply light to the light emitting material filled in the light
supply particles A1 introduced into the recycling unit 300 in order
to recycle the light emitting material, and in the case of the
nutrient supply particles A2, the CO.sub.2 supply particles A4, and
the harmful substance adsorption particles A3, the nutrient supply
material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful substance adsorption material
contained in the recycling unit 300 may be refilled and
recycled.
[0062] Further, when the recycling unit 300 has a magnetism, and as
described above, some functional particles A have a magnetism, the
functional particles A may selectively flow to the recycling unit
300 to be recycled. Further, although not illustrated, desired
functional particles A may selectively flow into the recycling unit
300 to be recycled according to the specific gravity of the
functional particles A by varying the installation height of the
recycling unit 300. Accordingly, the functional particles A may be
efficiently controlled.
[0063] The recovery unit 400 is fluid-communicated with the reactor
100, and the microalgae, which have cultivated in the reactor 100
and have grown to a specific size or more, are introduced together
the cultivation liquid and are separated by the recovery unit 400
to be recovered.
[0064] The microalgae recovery particles A5 may be introduced to
the recovery unit 400 due to the difference between the magnetisms
or specific gravities, and as described above, the microalgae may
be attached on or captured by the bosses of the surfaces of the
microalgae so that the recovery rate of the microalgae may be
improved. The method of recovering the microalgae is not limited,
but for example, the recovery unit 400 includes a freezer unit or a
drying unit (not illustrated) for freezing or drying the interior
of the recovery unit 400 so that the microalgae recovery particles
A5, on which the microalgae is attached or captured, may be frozen
or dried and accordingly, the microalgae, which are captured or
attached through rotation thereof, or by applying ultrasonic waves
or vibration, may be separated from the microalgae recovery
particles A5 and be recovered.
[0065] Hereinafter, a mass-cultivation system for microalgae
according to another embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0066] In the following description, a difference from the first
embodiment will be mainly described for understanding of the
present invention and convenience of description, and the same
configuration or operations thereof will not be described.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a mass-cultivation system for
microalgae according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reactor 100 of the present
embodiment includes a primary reactor 110, a secondary reactor 120
that is fluid-communicated with the primary reactor 110, and a
tertiary reactor 130 that is fluid-communicated with the secondary
reactor 120, and gas supplies 210, 220 that supply gas into the
reactor 100 are provided below the primary reactor 110 and the
secondary reactor 120.
[0069] Further, the recycling unit 300 may include a first
recycling unit 310 that is fluid-communicated with the primary
reactor 110, a second recycling unit 320 that is fluid-communicated
with the secondary reactor 120, and a third recycling unit 330 that
is fluid-communicated with the tertiary reactor 130.
[0070] Further, the recovery unit 400 may be fluid-communicated
with the third recycling unit 330.
[0071] In the present embodiment, three reactors 110, 120, 130 are
provided to optimize a cultivation condition according to the
growth of microalgae, and the functional particles A may be
optimized in the cultivation condition as they selectively flow in
the reactors 110, 120, 130 and the recycling unit 300.
[0072] For example, the light supply particles A1, the nutrient
supply particles A2, the CO.sub.2 supply particles A4, and the
harmful substance adsorption particles A3 may circulate between the
primary reactor 110 and the first recycling unit 310, and between
the secondary reactor 120 and the second recycling unit 320, and
the microalgae recovery particles A5 may circulate between the
tertiary reactor 130 and the third recycling unit 330.
[0073] Further, the amounts of the light emitting material, the
nutrient supply material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful substance
adsorption material that are filled in the light supply particles
A1, the nutrient supply particles A2, the CO.sub.2 supply particles
A4, and the harmful substance adsorption material A3 that circulate
the secondary reactor 120 and the second recycling unit 320 may be
larger than the amounts of the light emitting material, the
nutrient supply material, CO.sub.2, and the harmful substance
adsorption material that are filled in the light supply particles
A1, the nutrient supply particles A2, the CO.sub.2 supply particles
A4, and the harmful substance adsorption material A3 that circulate
the primary reactor 110 and the first recycling unit 310, or may
have a higher strength (for example, filling of a light emitting
material having a high intensity of illumination). The
configuration is more complex than that of the first embodiment,
but may obtain a higher cultivation effect.
[0074] This is because the functions that are necessary according
to the growth degree of the microalgae increases, that is, a higher
recovery effect may be obtained by cultivating the microalgae while
satisfying the functions that are necessary at the initial stage of
the cultivation of microalgae in the primary reactor 110, at the
initial stage of cultivation, by cultivating while the grown
microalgae flow to the secondary reactor 120 if the microalgae are
grown to a degree, by allowing more efficient cultivation of the
microalgae that have grown to a degree by increasing the amount of
materials filled in the functional particles A in correspondence as
the amount of photosynthesis increases and the metabolic becomes
active, and by intensively separating and recovering the microalgae
that have grown such that they may be recovered by allowing the
microalgae to flow to the tertiary reactor 130.
[0075] According to the mass-cultivation system for microalgae
according to the present invention, because various functions that
are necessary for cultivation of microalgae may be uniformly
distributed in a cultivation liquid by allowing the functional
particles having various function to flow in the cultivation
liquid, a suitable environment may be created based on the
cultivation of a large amount of microalgae and the growth of
microalgae so that a high efficiency cultivation system may be
realized while the problems of mass-cultivation of an existing
cultivation system may be solved.
[0076] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that the present invention can be variously corrected and
modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention claimed in the claims.
* * * * *