The present patent application is a divisional application of patent application having an application number 2022104738122, an application date of 2011, 5 and 18, and an invention name of "biomass production".
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/784,215, filed 5/20/2010, and also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 5/20/2010.
The section of 12/784,181 continues to apply, the section of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/784,172 submitted at 20 months of 2010 continues to apply, the section of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/784,141 submitted at 20 months of 2010 continues to apply, the section of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/784,126 submitted at 20 months of 2010 continues to apply, the section of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/784,106 submitted at 20 months of 2010 continues to apply, and the section of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/022,396 submitted at 7 months of 2011 continues to apply.
Detailed Description
Throughout this specification, when reference is made to "some embodiments" it is intended that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is not necessarily referring to the embodiments. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined with each other in any suitable manner.
Referring to FIG. 1, a method for growing phototrophic biomass in reaction zone 10 is provided. The reaction zone 10 comprises a reaction mixture that is operable to undergo photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation. The reaction mixture comprises phototrophic biomass feedstock, carbon dioxide, and water. In some embodiments, the reaction zone comprises phototrophic biomass and carbon dioxide disposed in an aqueous medium. Within the reaction zone, the phototrophic biomass is arranged for mass transfer exchange with both carbon dioxide and water. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction mixture comprises a phototrophic biomass disposed in an aqueous medium, and the phototrophic biomass is provided enriched in carbon dioxide after it receives carbon dioxide.
A "phototrophic organism" is an organism, such as plant cells and microorganisms, capable of growing by photosynthetic nutrition upon receiving light energy in an aqueous medium. The phototrophic organism may be single or multicellular. In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic organism is an artificially modified or genetically modified organism. In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic organism is an alga. In some embodiments, for example, the algae is microalgae (microalgae).
A "phototrophic biomass" is at least one phototrophic organism. In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass comprises more than one species of phototrophic organism.
The "reaction zone 10" defines the space in which the phototrophic biomass grows. In some embodiments, the reaction zone 10 is provided within a photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure within the reaction zone is atmospheric pressure.
The "photobioreactor 12" may be any construction, configuration, land leveling, or area that may provide a suitable environment for growing phototrophic biomass. Examples of specific configurations that can be used as photobioreactor 12 by providing the phototrophic biomass with the space required for growth by light energy include, but are not limited to, tanks, ponds, tanks, channels, ponds, pipes, conduits, channels, and waterways. Such photobioreactors may be open, closed, semi-closed, covered, or partially covered. In some embodiments, for example, the photobioreactor 12 is an open pond, where the pond can receive feedstock and light energy from the surrounding environment without limitation. In other embodiments, for example, the photobioreactor 12 is a covered or partially covered pond, where the receipt of feedstock from the surroundings is at least partially hindered. The photobioreactor 12 comprises a reaction zone 10 containing a reaction mixture. In some embodiments, the photobioreactor 12 is configured to receive a supply of phototrophic agents (and, in some embodiments, optionally, supplemental nutrients), and is also configured to discharge the configuration of phototrophic biomass growing within the reaction zone 10. In this regard, in some embodiments, the photobioreactor 12 includes one or more inlets for receiving phototrophic reagents and supplemental nutrient supplies, and also includes one or more outlets for recovering or harvesting biomass grown within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, one or more of the inlets are configured to be temporarily closable at periodic or intermittent intervals. In some embodiments, for example, one or more outlets are configured to be temporarily closed or substantially closed at periodic or intermittent intervals. The photobioreactor 12 is configured to contain a reaction mixture that is operable to undergo photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation. The photobioreactor 12 is also configured to have photosynthetically active light radiation (e.g., light having a wavelength of about 400-700 nm that may be emitted by the sun or other light source) within the photobioreactor 12 for illuminating the phototrophic biomass. The reaction mixture is irradiated with photosynthetically active light radiation to produce photosynthesis and growth of the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, the configured optical radiation is provided, for example, by an artificial light source 14 disposed within the photobioreactor 12. Suitable artificial light sources include, for example, immersion optical fibers, light guides, light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), LED tapes, and fluorescent light. Any LED strip known in the art may be suitable for use in the photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments using submerged LEDs, for example, the energy source that supplies power to the LEDs includes alternative energy sources such as wind, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, and the like. Either the exterior or interior of the photobioreactor 12 may use fluorescence as a back-up system. In some embodiments, for example, the light is provided from a natural light source 16, which is emitted from outside the photobioreactor 12 and passes through a transmission member. In some embodiments, for example, the transmission member is part of the housing structure of the photobioreactor 12, which is at least partially transparent to photosynthetically active light radiation, and is configured to transmit the light to the reaction zone 10 for receipt by the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, natural light is received by a solar collector, filtered through a selective wavelength filter, and then transmitted to the reaction zone 10 via an optical fiber material or light guide. in some embodiments, the photosynthetically active light radiation within the photobioreactor 12 is provided, for example, by both natural and artificial light sources.
An "aqueous medium" is an environment that includes water. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous medium also includes sufficient nutrients to aid in the survival and growth of phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental nutrients may include, for example, one or both of NOx and SOx. Suitable aqueous media are described in detail in Rogers, L.J., and Gallon J.R. "Biochemistry of THE ALGAE AND Cyanobacteria" (Biochemistry of algae and cyanobacteria), oxford Clarendon Press 1988;Burlew,John S, "Algal Culture: from Laboratory to Pilot Plant" (algae culture: from laboratory to laboratory), washington Press 600, washington, D.1961 (hereinafter "Burles 1961"), and Round, F.E., the Biology of the Algae (alga biology), new York St. Mars Ding Chuban, 1965, which are each incorporated herein by reference. Suitable supplementary nutrients known as "Bold basal medium" are described in detail in Bold, H.C.1949, the morphology of Chlamydomonas chlamydogama sp.nov.Bull.Torrey Bot.club.76:101-8 (morphology of species chlamydogama of Chlamydomonas) (see also Bischoff, H.W. and Bold,H.C.1963,Phycological Studies IV.Some soil algae from Enchanted Rock and related algal species( algae research IV. Some soil algae from bewitched rock and related algae), texas university press, 6318:1-95, and Stein, J. (editions), handbook of Phycological Methods, culture methods and growth measurements (manual of algae, culture and growth determination), cambridge university press, pages 7-24).
"Adjusting" with respect to a process variable (e.g., an input or output) refers to any of these operations of starting, terminating, increasing, decreasing, or otherwise changing a process parameter (e.g., an input or output process parameter).
In some embodiments, the process comprises supplying carbon dioxide to reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide supplied to reaction zone 10 is from a gaseous effluent 18 comprising carbon dioxide. In this regard, in some embodiments, the gaseous emissions generation process 20 supplies the carbon dioxide, and thus, the supply is accomplished by the gaseous emissions 18 discharged from the gaseous emissions generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a reaction zone with an emitted carbon dioxide feed. In some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone such that the gaseous effluent carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as part of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone (along with other non-carbon dioxide feedstock from the gaseous effluent 18). In some of these embodiments, for example, when the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is supplied to the reaction zone 10, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous emissions 18 comprise carbon dioxide at a concentration of at least 2% by volume, based on the total volume of the gaseous emissions 18. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 comprises a concentration of carbon dioxide of at least 2% by volume, calculated based on the total volume of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous effluent 18 comprises carbon dioxide at a concentration of at least 4% by volume, based on the total volume of the gaseous effluent 18. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 comprises a concentration of carbon dioxide of at least 4% by volume, calculated based on the total volume of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone also contains one or both of NOx and SOx.
In some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of gaseous effluent 18 supplied to reaction zone 10 has been treated prior to being supplied to reaction zone 10, such that undesirable constituents in gaseous effluent 18 may be effectively removed such that the material composition of at least a portion of gaseous effluent 18 supplied to reaction zone 10 is different from the material composition of gaseous effluent 18 discharged from gaseous effluent generation process 20.
The gaseous emissions generation process 20 includes any process that is effective to generate and emit gaseous emissions 18. In some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. The at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and supplied to the reaction zone 10 contains carbon dioxide from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous emission generation process 20 is a combustion process. In some embodiments, for example, the combustion process is performed within a combustion apparatus. In some of these embodiments, for example, the combustion process is performed using fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas. For example, the combustion apparatus is any one of a fossil fuel power plant, an industrial incineration apparatus, an industrial furnace, an industrial heater, or an internal combustion engine. In some embodiments, for example, the combustion apparatus is a cement kiln.
Reaction zone feed 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 such that carbon dioxide in the reaction zone feed 22 is received within the reaction zone 10. At least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the reaction zone feed 22 is from the gaseous effluent 18. During at least some operations of the process, at least a portion of the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied from the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. As described above, any gaseous effluent 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 is supplied as a gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone. In some of these embodiments, for example, phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active optical radiation when the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is supplied to the reaction zone 10. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of the gaseous effluent 18 need be supplied to the reaction zone 10 as a reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24, and thus the reaction zone feed 22 comprises a reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24. It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the gaseous effluent 18, or at least a portion thereof, need not be supplied to the reaction zone 10 as a gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone throughout the period of time that the process is operating. The gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone contains carbon dioxide. In some of these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 is at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In some examples, all of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is supplied as a gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone.
As for the reaction zone feed material 22, the reaction zone feed material 22 is a fluid. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is a gaseous material. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 contains gaseous materials disposed within liquid materials. In some embodiments, for example, the liquid material is an aqueous material. In some of these embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the gas is dissolved within the liquid material. In some of these embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the gas is provided as a gas dispersion dispersed within the liquid material. In some of these embodiments, for example, during at least some operations of the process, the gas in the reaction zone feed 22 contains carbon dioxide supplied by the reaction zone with gaseous effluent feed 24. In some of these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 in a material stream. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed stream 22 comprises a gaseous effluent reaction zone feed supply stream 24. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed stream 22 is a gaseous effluent reaction zone feed supply stream 24.
In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 in one or more reaction zone feed streams. For example, the one or more reaction zone feed streams each flow through a respective reaction zone feed stream channel. In some of these embodiments, when there is more than one reaction zone feed stream, the reaction zone feed streams have different feed compositions therebetween.
In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is cooled prior to being supplied to the reaction zone 10 such that the temperature of the reaction zone feed material 22 approaches an appropriate temperature at which phototrophic biomass can grow. In some embodiments, for example, the temperature of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 is set between 110 and 150 ℃. In some embodiments, for example, the temperature of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is about 132 ℃. In some embodiments, the temperature of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is set well above the temperature, and in some embodiments, the temperature of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone, e.g., from a steel mill, exceeds 500 ℃. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 containing the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 is cooled to between 20 ℃ and 50 ℃ (e.g., about 30 ℃). In some embodiments, the reaction zone feed 22 is defined by a reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24. The supply of higher temperature reaction zone feed materials 22 may hinder the growth of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, or even kill phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, at least a portion of any water vapor in the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 is condensed in a heat exchanger 26 (e.g., condenser) and separated from the reaction zone feed 22 as an aqueous stream 70 as the reaction zone feed 22. In some embodiments, the aqueous material 70 formed is supplied to a vessel 28 (described below), in which vessel 28 the aqueous material 70 provides a make-up aqueous material feed 44 for supply to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the condensation produces heat transfer from the reaction zone feed material 22 to the heat transfer medium 30, whereby the temperature of the heat transfer medium 30 rises to produce a heated heat transfer medium 30, which heated heat transfer medium 30 is then supplied to (e.g., flowed to) a dryer 32 (as described below), and heat transfer from the heated heat transfer medium 30 to an intermediate concentrated reaction zone product 34 is performed to dry the intermediate concentrated reaction zone product 34, thereby producing a final reaction zone product 36. In some embodiments, for example, after being discharged from the dryer 32, the heat transfer medium 30 is recycled to the heat exchanger 26. Examples of suitable heat transfer media 30 include heat transfer oil and glycol solutions.
In some embodiments, for example, the supply of reaction zone feed material 22 to reaction zone 10 may cause at least a portion of the phototrophic biomass within reaction zone 10 to be agitated. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is introduced into a lower portion of the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed 22 is introduced from below the reaction zone 10, thus may cause the contents of the reaction zone 10 to be mixed. In some of these embodiments, for example, the resulting mixing (or agitation) may result in any difference in molar concentration of phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone 10 of less than 20%. In some embodiments, for example, any difference in molar concentration of phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone 10 is less than 10%. In some of these embodiments, for example, the resulting mixing can result in a homogeneous suspension within the reaction zone 10. In these embodiments using photobioreactor 12, for some of these embodiments, for example, the supply of reaction zone feed material 22 is configured to be interoperable with photobioreactor 12 such that at least a portion of the phototrophic biomass disposed within reaction zone 10 produces the desired agitation.
Further to those embodiments in which the supply of reaction zone feed material 22 to the reaction zone 10 results in agitation of at least a portion of the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10, in some of these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 flows through a gas injection mechanism such as a spray head (sparger) 40 prior to being introduced into the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the sparger 40 forms the reaction zone feed material 22 supplied to the reaction zone 10 into a gas-liquid mixture containing microbubbles entrained within the liquid phase to provide maximum interfacial contact area between the phototrophic biomass and the carbon dioxide in the reaction zone feed material 22 (and in some embodiments, one or both of, for example, SOx and NOx). This helps the phototrophic biomass to efficiently absorb carbon dioxide (and in some embodiments other gaseous components) required for photosynthesis, thus contributing to optimizing the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass. Additionally, in some embodiments, for example, the spray head 40 causes the reaction zone feed material 22 to form larger bubbles that agitate the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, thereby facilitating mixing of the components within the reaction zone 10. An example of a suitable spray head 40 is a EDI FlexAirTM T-series 91X1003 spray tube from Enviornmental Dynamics of Columbia, mitsui. In some embodiments, for example, this spray head 40 is placed within a photobioreactor 12, the photobioreactor 12 having a 6000 liter capacity reaction zone 10 with a algae concentration of between 0.8 g/liter and 1.5 g/liter, and the reaction zone feed material 22 is a gaseous fluid stream supplied at a flow rate of between 10 cubic feet/minute and 20 cubic feet/minute and a pressure of about 68 inches of water.
With respect to the sparger 40, in some embodiments, the sparger 40 is designed, for example, with consideration to the head (fluid head) of the reaction zone 10, so that the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 in a manner that promotes optimal absorption of carbon dioxide by the phototrophic biomass. In this regard, the size of the bubbles is adjusted so that the bubbles are small enough to facilitate optimal absorption of carbon dioxide from the feed material to the reaction zone. At the same time, the size of the bubbles is large enough to allow at least a portion of the bubbles to rise through the full height of the reaction zone 10 while reducing the likelihood that the reaction zone feed material 22 will "bubble through" the reaction zone 10 and be released without being absorbed by the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, to facilitate achieving optimal bubble size, a pressure regulator is utilized upstream of the sparger 40 to control the pressure of the reaction zone feed material 22.
In some of these embodiments, for example, the spray head 40 is positioned outside of the photobioreactor 12 with respect to embodiments in which the reaction zone 10 is positioned within the photobioreactor 12. In other embodiments, for example, the spray head 40 is disposed within the photobioreactor 12. In some of these embodiments, for example, the spray head 40 extends from the bottom of the photobioreactor 12 (and within the photobioreactor 12).
In one aspect, carbon dioxide is supplied to reaction zone 10, and the supplied carbon dioxide defines reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402. The reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 at a pressure such that the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed flows through a reaction zone depth of at least 70 inches. In some embodiments, for example, the depth is at least 10 feet. In some embodiments, for example, the depth is at least 20 feet. In some embodiments, for example, the depth is at least 30 feet. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is increased prior to being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the pressure of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is increased as the gaseous emissions 18 are produced by the gaseous emissions production process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is increased when the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, when reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to reaction zone 10, the phototrophic biomass disposed within reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some embodiments, for example, the pressure is increased at least in part using a prime mover (prime mover) 38. For these embodiments, the increase in pressure is due, at least in part, to the prime mover 38. An example of a suitable prime mover 38 is a pump in the case of an embodiment in which the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is part of the reaction zone feed material 22, and the reaction zone feed material 22 comprises a liquid material. Examples of suitable prime movers 38 include blowers, compressors, and air pumps for embodiments in which the pressure is increased by air flow. In other embodiments, the pressure is increased, for example, by a jet pump or an eductor.
When the pressure is increased by a jet pump or ejector, in some of these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to a jet pump or ejector and a venturi effect is utilized to transfer pressure energy from another flowing fluid (i.e., "motive fluid stream" (motive fluid flow)) to the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed, thereby increasing the pressure within the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, referring to fig. 3, a motive fluid stream 700 is provided wherein the motive fluid stream 700 has a motive fluid pressure PM1 of a feedstock. In this regard, a low pressure state reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402A having a pressure PE is also provided, wherein the low pressure state carbon dioxide feed 2402A comprises the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402. In some embodiments, the low pressure state reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402A is defined by reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402. PM1 of the motive fluid stream is higher than PE of the low pressure carbon dioxide feed 2402A. By flowing the power fluid flow 700 from the upstream flow path portion 702 to the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704, the pressure of the power fluid flow 700 is reduced from PM1 to PM2, thereby making PM2 lower than PE. The intermediate downstream flow path portion 704 is characterized by a smaller cross-sectional area relative to the upstream flow path portion 702. The static pressure energy is converted to kinetic energy by flowing the motive fluid flow 700 from the upstream flow path portion 702 to the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704. When the pressure of the motive fluid stream 700 is reduced to PM2, fluid communication is established between the motive fluid stream 700 and the low-pressure carbon dioxide feed 2402A, whereby, in response to a pressure differential between the low-pressure carbon dioxide feed 2402A and the motive fluid stream 700, the low-pressure carbon dioxide feed 2402A is mixed with the motive fluid stream 700 within the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704, thereby producing a mixture 2404 comprising a reaction zone carbon dioxide feed, including the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402. at least a portion of the mixture 2404 comprising the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed is supplied to the reaction zone 10. The pressure of the mixture 2404 comprising the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed (which includes the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402) is raised to PM3 such that the pressure of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is also raised to PM3.PM3 above PE and also sufficient to supply the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 to the reaction zone 10 and, when the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 can be flowed through a reaction zone 10 depth of at least 70 inches. In some embodiments, for example, PM3 is higher than PE and is also sufficient to supply the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 to the reaction zone 10, and the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 can be flowed through a reaction zone 10 depth of at least 10 feet when the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, PM3 is higher than PE and also sufficient to supply the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 to the reaction zone 10, and the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 can be flowed through a reaction zone 10 depth of at least 20 feet when the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, PM3 is higher than PE and is also sufficient to supply the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 to the reaction zone 10, and the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 can be flowed through a reaction zone 10 depth of at least 30 feet when the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In any of these embodiments, the pressure rise is designed to overcome the head pressure within the reaction zone 10. The pressure may be increased by flowing a mixture 2404 comprising the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed from the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704 to the downstream flow path portion 706 which is "kinetic to hydrostatic energy conversion". The downstream flow path portion 706 of the "kinetic to hydrostatic energy conversion" has a larger cross-sectional area than the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704 such that when the mixture 2404 containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed has been located in the downstream flow path portion 706 of the "kinetic to hydrostatic energy conversion" (due to the fact that the mixture 2404 containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed has flowed to the flow path portion having the larger cross-sectional area), the kinetic energy of the mixture 2404 containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed within the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704 is converted to hydrostatic energy. In some embodiments, for example, the converging nozzle portion of the flow path defines the upstream flow path portion 702, while the diverging nozzle portion of the flow path defines the downstream flow path portion 706 of the "kinetic to hydrostatic energy conversion", with the intermediate downstream flow path portion 704 being interposed between the converging and diverging nozzle portions. In some embodiments, for example, the combination of the upstream flow path portion 702 and the downstream flow path portion 706 for the "kinetic to static pressure energy conversion" is defined by a venturi nozzle (venturi nozzle). In some embodiments, for example, the combination of the upstream flow path portion 702 and the downstream flow path portion 706 for "kinetic to hydrostatic energy conversion" is placed within an ejector or jet pump. In some of these embodiments, for example, the motive fluid stream 700 comprises a liquid aqueous feed, and in this regard, the mixture 2404 comprising the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed comprises a combination of liquid and gaseous feeds. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the mixture 2404 containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed comprises a dispersion of a gaseous material within a liquid material, wherein the dispersion of gaseous material comprises the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed. Or in some of these embodiments, for example, the motive fluid stream 700 is another gas stream, such as an air stream, the mixture containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed is gaseous. At least a portion of the mixture 2404 containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed is supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 such that the at least a portion of the mixture containing the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed can be supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the carbon dioxide in the reaction zone feed material 22 comprises at least a portion of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide in the reaction zone feed material 22 is defined by at least a portion of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402.
In some of these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied from at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 discharged by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, and the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied from the at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 discharged by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 is achieved when the gaseous emissions 18 are discharged by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied through at least a portion of the carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emission generation process 20, and when the gaseous emission generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, it is achieved that the at least a portion of the carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emission generation process 20 supplies the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed 2402 is defined by a reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed.
In some embodiments, for example, the photobioreactor 12 or photobioreactors 12 are configured to optimize carbon dioxide absorbance of the phototrophic biomass and reduce energy requirements. In this regard, the photobioreactor is configured to extend the residence time of carbon dioxide within the reaction zone 10. In addition, the movement of the carbon dioxide over horizontal distances is minimized, thereby reducing energy consumption. For this purpose, the one or more photo bioreactors 12 are relatively high and provide less coverage area (footprint), thereby extending the residence time of carbon dioxide while saving energy.
In some embodiments, for example, a supplemental nutrient feed 42 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while the supplemental nutrient supply 42 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the supplemental nutrient supply 42 is supplied, for example, by a pump such as a metering pump. In other embodiments, for example, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 is manually supplied to the reaction zone 10. The nutrients within the reaction zone 10 are treated or consumed by the phototrophic biomass and, in some cases, it is desirable to replenish the treated or consumed nutrients. One suitable nutritional composition is "Bold's basal medium", which has been described in Bold, H.C.1941, the morphology of Chlamydomonas chlamydogama sp (morphology of the species Chlamydomonas chlamydogama), nov. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club. 76:101-8 (see also Bischoff, H.W. and Bold,H.C.1963,Phycological Studies IV.Some soil algae from Enchanted Rock and related algal species( algae research IV. Some soil algae from bewitched rock and related algae), university of Texas press, 6318:1-95, and Stein, J. (editions) Handbook of Phycological Methods, culture methods and growth measurements (manual of algae, culture and growth determination), cambridge university press, pages 7-24). The nutrient supplement feed 42 is used to supplement nutrients within the reaction zone, such as "Bold's basal medium", or one or more dissolved components thereof. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 comprises "Bold's basal medium". In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 includes one or more dissolved components of "Bold's basal medium", such as NaNO3、CaCl2、MgSO4、KH2PO4, naCl, or other substances in its dissolved constituent components.
In some of these embodiments, the rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10 is controlled in coordination with the desired growth rate of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the adjustments made to nutrient addition are monitored, for example, by measuring any combination of pH, NO3 concentration, and conductivity within reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 to supplement the moisture within the reaction zone 10 of the photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments, for example, and as further described below, the supply of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 causes the product to be discharged from the photobioreactor 12. For example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 causes product to be discharged from the photobioreactor 12 in an overflow manner.
In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material is water.
In another aspect, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 comprises at least one of (a) an aqueous material 70 condensed from the reaction zone feed 22 when subjected to cooling prior to the reaction zone feed 22 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) an aqueous material separated from the discharged phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500. In some embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is from a separate source (i.e., a source external to the process), such as a municipal water supply.
In some embodiments, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied, for example, by a pump 281. In some of these embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is continuously supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied from the container 28, as will be further described below. At least a portion of the aqueous material discharged from the process is recovered and supplied to the vessel 28 to provide a make-up aqueous material contained by the vessel 28.
Referring to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 and the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 are supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 through a spray head 40 before being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In embodiments in which reaction zone 10 is disposed within the photobioreactor 12, in some of these embodiments, for example, the spray head 40 is disposed outside of the photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to mix the reaction zone feed 22, supplemental nutrient feed 42, and supplemental aqueous material feed 44 within the spray head 40 because this may allow for better mixing of these components than if the reaction zone feed 22, supplemental nutrient feed 42, and supplemental aqueous material feed 44 were supplied separately. On the other hand, the rate of supply of the reaction zone feed 22 to the reaction zone 10 is limited by the saturation limit of the gaseous material in the reaction zone feed 22 within the blended mixture. Because of this tradeoff, such an embodiment is more suitable when the response time required to provide a regulated carbon dioxide supply to reaction zone 10 is relatively less urgent (depending on the biological needs of the phototrophic organism used).
In another aspect, at least a portion of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 is mixed with the supplemental aqueous material within the vessel 28 to provide a nutrient-rich supplemental aqueous material feed 44, which nutrient-rich supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied directly to the reaction zone 10 or mixed with the reaction zone feed 22 within the spray head 40. In some embodiments, the nutrient-rich supplemental aqueous material feed is supplied directly or indirectly, for example, by a pump.
In some embodiments, for example, where the gaseous effluent generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an effluent carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, at least one input to the reaction zone 10 is adjusted based at least on the molar rate of the effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation concurrently with the conditioning of the at least one input.
As set forth above, the adjustment made to the input is any one of starting, ending, increasing, decreasing, or otherwise changing the input. The input to the reaction zone 10 is an input which is supplied to the reaction zone 10 necessary for the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. Exemplary inputs to the reaction zone 10 include supplying photosynthetically active optical radiation of a characteristic intensity to the reaction zone and supplying a supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In this regard, the modulation of the intensity of the photosynthetic active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10 is any one of initiating the supply of the photosynthetic active optical radiation to the reaction zone, terminating the supply of the photosynthetic active optical radiation to the reaction zone, increasing the intensity of the photosynthetic active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone, and decreasing the intensity of the photosynthetic active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, adjusting the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone comprises adjusting the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation to which at least a portion of the carbon dioxide-enriched phototrophic biomass is subjected.
The adjustment to the molar rate of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone is any one of initiating the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, terminating the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, increasing the molar rate of the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, or decreasing the molar rate of the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone.
In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment is based at least on a molar rate indicator of the carbon dioxide feed being vented to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous effluent generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an emitted carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, the at least one input to the reaction zone 10 is adjusted based at least on a molar rate indicator of the emitted carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while at least one input is being conditioned.
In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate indicator of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to the reaction zone 10 is the molar rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and thus the adjustment is based at least on the molar rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the gaseous effluent comprises the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. When the controller receives a signal from the flow sensor 78 representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18, the controller adjusts at least one input to the reaction zone 10 based on the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the modulation of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment made to the at least one input comprises (i) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the modulation of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) reducing the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment made to the at least one input includes at least one of (i) terminating the supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) reducing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate indicator of the effluent carbon dioxide feed for a reaction zone supplied to reaction zone 10 is the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and thus the adjusting is based at least on the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the gaseous effluent 18 comprises the effluent carbon dioxide feed for a reaction zone. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal to a controller representative of the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20. When the controller receives a signal from carbon dioxide sensor 781 representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18, the controller adjusts at least one input to the reaction zone 10 based on the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18. In some embodiments, for example, the modulation of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment made to the at least one input comprises (i) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the modulation of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) reducing the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment made to the at least one input includes at least one of (i) terminating the supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) reducing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate indicator of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to reaction zone 10 is the molar rate of carbon dioxide effluent from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and thus the adjustment is based at least on the molar rate of carbon dioxide effluent from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the gaseous effluent 18 comprises the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed. In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 is calculated based on a combination of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20. The combination of (i) the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and (ii) the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 provides a basis for calculating the molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. In this regard, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is also provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. After the controller receives a flow sensing signal from the flow sensor 78 representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, also receives a carbon dioxide sensing signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and calculates the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 based on the received flow sensing signal and the received carbon dioxide sensing signal, the controller adjusts at least one input to the reaction zone 10 based on the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 is detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the process 20 based on the flow sensing signal. In some embodiments, for example, the modulation of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment made to the at least one input comprises (i) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the modulation of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) reducing the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment made to the at least one input includes at least one of (i) terminating the supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) reducing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In another aspect, at least one input to the reaction zone 10 is regulated when a change in the molar rate of the carbon dioxide effluent feed supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected when the carbon dioxide effluent from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and at least a portion of the carbon dioxide effluent is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the carbon dioxide effluent supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a carbon dioxide effluent feed for the reaction zone. In this regard, the adjustment of the at least one input to the reaction zone 10 is performed in response to detecting a change in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while at least one input is being conditioned.
In another aspect, at least one input to the reaction zone 10 is regulated when an indication of a change in the molar rate of the carbon dioxide emissions feed supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected when the carbon dioxide emissions from the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and at least a portion of the carbon dioxide emissions supplied to the reaction zone 10 define the reaction zone carbon dioxide emissions feed. In this regard, the adjustment of the at least one input to the reaction zone 10 is performed in response to detecting an indication of a change in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while at least one input is being conditioned.
As described above, the adjustment made to the input is any one of starting, ending, increasing or decreasing the input. Exemplary inputs to the reaction zone 10 include supplying photosynthetically active optical radiation of characteristic intensity to the reaction zone 10, and supplying a molar rate of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10.
Also as described above, the adjustment of the intensity of the photosynthetic active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10 is any one of starting the supply of the photosynthetic active optical radiation to the reaction zone, terminating the supply of the photosynthetic active optical radiation to the reaction zone, increasing the intensity of the photosynthetic active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone, and decreasing the intensity of the photosynthetic active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, adjusting the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone comprises adjusting the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation to which at least a portion of the carbon dioxide-enriched phototrophic biomass is subjected.
Further, as described above, the adjustment to the molar rate of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone is any one of initiating the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, terminating the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, increasing the molar rate of the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone, or decreasing the molar rate of the supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone.
In some embodiments, for example, and also as described above, the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation is regulated by a controller. In some embodiments, for example, the controller varies the power output from the power source to the light source to increase or decrease the light intensity of the light source, which may be accomplished by controlling any one of a voltage or a current. Additionally, in some embodiments, the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 is also regulated, for example, by a controller. To adjust the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42, the controller may control the metering pump 421 to provide a predetermined molar flow rate of the supplemental nutrient supply 42.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, upon detecting an increase in the molar rate of the exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, the adjustment of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the intensity of the photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is effected in response to detecting an increase in the supply molar rate of the carbon dioxide-emitting feed to the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the increase in the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to reaction zone 10 is proportional to the increase in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, upon detecting an indication of an increase in the molar rate of the exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, the adjustment of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting an indication of an increase in the molar rate of the carbon dioxide feed being vented to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the increase in intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to reaction zone 10 is proportional to the increase in the molar rate of the carbon dioxide feed discharged for the reaction zone supplied to reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the supply of photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone is initiated, or when the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone is increased, the cooling rate of a light source disposed within the reaction zone 10 and supplying the photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone is increased. While the light source is supplying photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone, cooling is performed to mitigate the heating effect of any thermal energy generated by the light source on the reaction zone. The heating action of the reaction zone 10 increases the temperature of the reaction zone. In some embodiments, the phototrophic biomass is damaged when the temperature within the reaction zone 10 is too high. In some embodiments, for example, the light source is disposed within a liquid light guide and a thermally conductive liquid is disposed within the liquid light guide, the cooling rate being increased by increasing the rate of heat exchange of the thermally conductive liquid within the liquid light guide.
In some embodiments, for example, where the gaseous effluent generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an effluent carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, when an increase in the molar rate of the effluent carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the adjustment to the at least one input includes at least one of (i) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the molar rate of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is effected in response to detecting an increase in the supply molar rate of the carbon dioxide-emitting feed to the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an emitted carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, upon detecting an indication of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the emitted carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, the adjustment of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) increasing the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient feed 42 supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting an indication of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the detection of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the vented carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is indicative of an increase in the molar rate of gaseous effluent 18 vented from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the gaseous effluent 18 comprises the vented carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the flow sensor 78 representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 with the previously received signal representative of the previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and confirms that the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is increasing, the controller performs at least one of (a) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the detection of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is indicative of an increase in the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the gaseous effluent 18 comprises the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 with a previously received signal representative of the previously detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and confirms an increase in the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18, the controller performs at least one of (a) initiating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, an increase in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is indicative of an increase in the molar rate of carbon dioxide effluent from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the increase in the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 is based on a comparison of (i) a calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the calculation is based on a combination of a measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and a measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, and (ii) a calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the calculation is based on a measured molar flow rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions 18, in combination with a previously measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. In this regard, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is also provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. Receiving at the controller from a flow sensor 78 a flow sensing signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and also from a carbon dioxide sensor 781 a carbon dioxide sensing signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 (wherein the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 is detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the process 20 based thereon), and calculating the molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 from the received flow sensing signal and the received carbon dioxide sensing signal, And comparing the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 with the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20, And confirming that the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20 increases, the controller performs at least one of (a) initiating a supply of photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) initiating a supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10, wherein the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20 is based on a previously received flow sensing signal representative of a previously measured molar rate of gaseous emission 18 previously emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20, And a combination of previously received carbon dioxide sensing signals representative of previously measured molar concentrations of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted from gaseous effluent generation process 20, wherein the previously measured molar concentrations of carbon dioxide and the previously measured molar flow rate of the previously emitted gaseous effluent 18 based on which the previously received flow sensing signals are detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.
In some embodiments, for example, (a) an increase in the measured molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generating process 20, (b) an increase in the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generating process 20, or (c) an increase in the calculated supply molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged from the gaseous effluent generating process 20, any of which is indicative of an increase in the supply molar rate of carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10. As the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 increases, the molar rate of supply of at least one growth condition of the phototrophic biomass increases (i.e., the increased molar rate of carbon dioxide supply), and the rate of supply of other inputs associated with such growth is correspondingly initiated or increased to cause the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 to grow as intended.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an emissions carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, when a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the emissions carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the adjustment of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) decreasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is effected in response to detecting a decrease in the supply molar rate of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the decrease in intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone is proportional to the decrease in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an emissions carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, upon detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of the emissions carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, the adjusting of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) decreasing the intensity of photosynthetically active optical radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the decrease in intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone is proportional to the decrease in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an emitted carbon dioxide supply for the reaction zone, when a decrease in the molar rate of supply of emitted carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the adjustment to the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) decreasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting a decrease in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an emitted carbon dioxide supply for the reaction zone, upon detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the emitted carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10, the adjustment of the at least one input comprises at least one of (i) terminating the supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) decreasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the detection of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the vented carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is indicative of a decrease in the molar rate of gaseous effluent 18 vented from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the flow sensor 78 representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 with the previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 previously discharged by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and confirms that the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is reduced, the controller performs at least one of (a) reducing the intensity of, or terminating the supply of, photosynthetic active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, and (b) reducing the molar rate of, or terminating the supply of, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the detection of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is indicative of a decrease in the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 with a previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted previously by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and confirms that the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 is decreasing, the controller performs at least one of (a) decreasing the intensity of, or terminating the supply of, photosynthetic active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, and (b) decreasing the molar rate of, or terminating the supply of, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is indicative of a decrease in the molar rate of carbon dioxide effluent from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. in this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the molar rate reduction of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 is based on a comparison of (i) a calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the calculation is based on a combination of a measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and a measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, and (ii) a calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the calculation is based on a measured molar flow rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions 18 previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, in combination with a previously measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. In this regard, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is also provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. Receiving at the controller from a flow sensor 78 a flow sensing signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and also from a carbon dioxide sensor 781 a carbon dioxide sensing signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 (wherein the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 is detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the process 20 based thereon), and calculating the molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 from the received flow sensing signal and the received carbon dioxide sensing signal, And comparing the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 with the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20, And confirming that the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20 is reduced, the controller performs at least one of (a) reducing the intensity of, or terminating the supply of, photosynthetically active light radiation supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) reducing the molar rate of, or terminating the supply of, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20 is based on the previously received flow sensing signal representative of the previously measured molar rate of gaseous emission 18 previously emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20, And a combination of previously received carbon dioxide sensing signals representative of previously measured molar concentrations of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted by process 20, wherein the previously measured molar concentrations of carbon dioxide are detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with a previously measured molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted by process 20 based on which the previously received flow sensing signals were received.
In some embodiments, for example, (a) the molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is reduced, (b) the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is reduced, or (c) the molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is reduced, any of which is indicative of a reduction in the supply molar rate of carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10. As the molar rate of supply of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is reduced, the rate of supply of one or more other inputs associated with phototrophic biomass growth is correspondingly reduced or terminated to conserve the inputs.
In another aspect, when the gaseous effluent generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines an exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone, the supply molar rate of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 supplied to the reaction zone 10 is increased when a decrease in the supply molar rate of the exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, or when an indication of a decrease in the supply molar rate of the exhaust carbon dioxide feed for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, or the supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to the reaction zone 10 is initiated. In this regard, increasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10, or initiating the supply of supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10, is performed in response to detecting a decrease, or an indication of a decrease, in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the source of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 is a carbon dioxide cylinder. In some embodiments, for example, the source of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 is an air supply. In some embodiments, for example, the detected decrease is a detection that the reaction zone supplied to reaction zone 10 is terminated with a supply molar rate of the vented carbon dioxide feed. In some embodiments, for example, the indication of a detected decrease is an indication of a detected termination of the molar rate of supply of the vented carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the vented carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is any of the indications described above.
In some of these embodiments, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while increasing the molar rate of supply, or initiating supply, of supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, to maintain a substantially constant growth rate of the phototrophic biomass, the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 is provided to compensate for a decrease in the molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 if the decrease (e.g., termination) is deemed to be only temporary (e.g., less than two weeks). In this regard, in some embodiments, the supply of feed 92 to reaction zone 10 is for a period of time less than two (2) weeks, such as less than one week, as a further example less than five (5) days, as a further example less than three (3) days, as a further example less than one (1) day, since the start-up. In some embodiments, for example, the supply of feed 92 to reaction zone 10 is for a period of time greater than 15 minutes, such as greater than 30 minutes, as a further example, greater than one (1) hour, as a further example, greater than six (6) hours, as a further example, greater than 24 hours, since the start-up.
In embodiments where increasing the supply molar rate of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to reaction zone 10, or initiating the supply thereof, is performed in response to detecting an indication of a decrease in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to reaction zone 10, and the detected indication of a decrease in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to reaction zone 10 is a decrease in the molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, for example, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the flow sensor 78 representative of the current measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 with the previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 previously discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and confirms that the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is decreasing, the controller actuates an opening of a flow control element, such as valve 921, to initiate the supply of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to the reaction zone 10 from the source of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 or to increase the molar rate of supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to the reaction zone 10.
In embodiments where increasing the supply molar rate of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to reaction zone 10, or initiating the supply thereof, is performed in response to detecting an indication of a decrease in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to reaction zone 10, and the detected indication of a decrease in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed supplied to reaction zone 10 is a decrease in the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 discharged by gaseous effluent generation process 20, for example, carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 discharged by gaseous effluent generation process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 discharged by gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 with the previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 previously discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and confirms that the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 has decreased, the controller actuates an opening of a flow control element, such as valve 921, to initiate the supply of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to the reaction zone 10 or to increase the molar rate of supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to the reaction zone 10.
In these embodiments, the molar rate of supply of make-up carbon dioxide feed 92 to reaction zone 10 is increased, Or initiating the supply of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to reaction zone 10 in response to detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed to reaction zone 10, when the detected indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed to reaction zone 10 is a decrease in the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, in some of these embodiments, for example, the decrease in the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 is based on a comparison of (i) the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the calculation is based on the measured molar flow rate of gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, And (ii) a calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted from the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the calculating is based on a combination of a previously measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 previously emitted from the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and a previously measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous emissions 18 previously emitted from the gaseous emissions generation process 20. In this regard, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. In this regard, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is also provided for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 to a controller. Receiving at the controller from a flow sensor 78 a flow sensing signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, and also from a carbon dioxide sensor 781 a carbon dioxide sensing signal representative of the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 (wherein the measured molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 is detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the process 20 based thereon), and calculating the molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20 from the received flow sensing signal and the received carbon dioxide sensing signal, And comparing the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 with the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and confirming that the molar rate of carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 is decreasing, the controller actuates an opening of a flow control element, such as valve 921, to initiate supply of supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 or increase the supplied molar rate of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10, wherein the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20 is based on a previously received flow sensing signal representative of a previously measured molar flow rate of gaseous emissions 18 previously emitted by the gaseous emissions generating process 20, And a combination of previously received carbon dioxide sensing signals representative of previously measured molar concentrations of carbon dioxide in gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted by process 20, wherein the previously measured molar concentrations of carbon dioxide are detected simultaneously or substantially simultaneously with a previously measured molar flow rate of gaseous effluent 18 previously emitted by process 20 based on which the previously received flow sensing signals were received.
In embodiments where the supply molar rate of the make-up carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is increased or the supply of the make-up carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is initiated upon detecting a decrease (or termination) in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10 or detecting an indication of a decrease (or termination) in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10, in some embodiments where the process additionally includes initiating the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the supply molar rate of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the supply of the make-up gas-containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 is initiated in response to a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide-using effluent feed to the reaction zone 10, or termination of supply thereof, or an increase in the molar rate of supply of the make-up carbon dioxide feed 92 to the reaction zone 10, or an increase in the molar rate of supply of the make-up gas-containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, to at least partially compensate for a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the feedstock (e.g., feedstock of the reaction zone feed material 22) to the reaction zone 10, or termination of supply thereof, due to a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide-using effluent feed to the reaction zone 10, or termination of supply thereof.
In some embodiments, for example, compensating for a decrease in the molar supply rate of the feedstock (reaction zone feed material 22) to the reaction zone 10, or a termination of the supply of the feedstock (reaction zone feed material 22), may result in substantially no change in the molar supply rate of the feedstock (reaction zone feed material 22) to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, compensating for a decrease in the molar supply rate of the feedstock (reaction zone feed material 22) to the reaction zone 10, or termination of the supply of the feedstock (reaction zone feed material 22), may mitigate the extent of agitation weakness in the reaction zone 10, which may otherwise result in a decrease in the molar supply rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or termination of the supply thereof, due to a decrease in the molar supply rate of the effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10, or termination of the supply thereof, thereby resulting in a weakness in the agitation in the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, any combination of the gaseous effluent feed 24, supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92, and supplemental gas containing feedstock defines a combined operating feed stream supplied to the reaction zone as at least a portion of the reaction zone feed material 22, which reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 and imparts an agitating effect on the material within the reaction zone such that the molar concentration difference of phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone 10 is less than 20%. In some embodiments, for example, the agitation effect produced may be such that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone 10 differs by less than 10%. In this regard, the supply of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 may reduce the concentration gradient between phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone above the desired maximum limit.
If carbon dioxide is present in the make-up gas containing feedstock 48, the molar concentration of carbon dioxide is lower than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the make-up carbon dioxide feed 92 supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the make-up gas feed 48 is less than 3 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the make-up gas feed 48. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the make-up gas feed 48 is less than one (1) mole percent based on the total molar amount of the make-up gas feed 48.
In some embodiments, for example, the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 is a gaseous substance. In some of these embodiments, for example, the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 comprises a dispersion of a gaseous material within a liquid material. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 comprises air. In some of these embodiments, for example, the feed 48 containing make-up gas is provided in fluid form. A feed 48 containing make-up gas is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as part of the reaction zone feed 22.
In some embodiments, for example, initiating the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the supply molar rate of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, is also performed in response to detecting a decrease (or termination) in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10, or detecting an indication of a decrease (or termination) in the supply molar rate of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10. Examples of suitable indications, as well as suitable sensors and control schemes for detecting such indications, are described above, and in some embodiments, initiating the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, is accomplished by a controller opening an opening of a flow control element (such as valve 50) or increasing the opening to create fluid communication with the source of make-up gas containing feedstock 48.
In some embodiments, initiating the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, is performed in response to detecting a decrease or indication of a decrease in the molar rate of the supply of the reaction zone feed material 22 to the reaction zone 10, while the make-up carbon dioxide feed 92 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the flow sensor representative of the current measured molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22 with the previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22 and confirms that the molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22 is decreasing, the controller actuates an opening of a flow control element, such as a valve (e.g., valve 50), to initiate the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 from the source of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 or to increase the supply molar rate of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 supplied from the source of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10.
In another aspect, the supply of gaseous emissions feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 is regulated based on the detection of at least one carbon dioxide treat rate indicator when gaseous emissions 18 are emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein any gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous effluent 18 is discharged in the form of a stream of gas. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is provided in the form of a gas stream. In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is regulated.
When the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 is regulated in accordance with at least one carbon dioxide treat rate indicator, in some embodiments, for example, the process further comprises regulating the supply of a partial stream of the discharged gaseous effluent 18 to another operating unit. The supply of a partial split of the discharged gaseous emission 18 to the other operating unit defines a split gaseous emission 60. The split gaseous effluent 60 comprises carbon dioxide. The further operating unit converts the split gaseous effluent 60, thereby reducing its environmental impact.
As set forth above, adjusting the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 is any one of starting, terminating, increasing, decreasing, or otherwise altering the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10. Also, adjusting the supply of a partial split of the discharged gaseous effluent 18 (i.e., the split gaseous effluent 60) to another operating unit is any one of starting, terminating, increasing, decreasing, or otherwise altering the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit.
The carbon dioxide treatment capacity index is any characteristic representing the capacity of the reaction zone 10, wherein the capacity of the reaction zone 10 is the capacity of the reaction zone to receive carbon dioxide and to convert at least a portion of the received carbon dioxide in a photosynthetic reaction by a phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone.
In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide treatment index is any process characteristic that is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10, wherein the reaction zone 10 is configured to receive carbon dioxide and to convert at least a portion of the received carbon dioxide in a photosynthetic reaction by phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone, such that the photosynthesis effects the growth of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the detection of the carbon dioxide throughput index is critical to determining whether the supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone needs to be regulated to bring the growth of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 to a predetermined molar rate.
In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide treat rate indicator is any process characteristic that is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10, wherein the reaction zone 10 is configured to receive carbon dioxide and to convert at least a portion of the received carbon dioxide in a photosynthetic reaction by phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone such that any carbon dioxide discharged from the reaction zone 10 is below a predetermined molar rate. In this regard, the detection of the carbon dioxide throughput indicator is critical to determining whether the supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 needs to be adjusted to achieve a predetermined molar rate of carbon dioxide discharged from the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide throughput index detected is the pH within reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide throughput index detected is the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. Because any phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 discharged from the reaction zone 10 includes a portion of the material from the reaction zone 10 (i.e., the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 discharged from the reaction zone 10 is supplied from the material from the reaction zone 10), detection of a carbon dioxide treatment index (e.g., pH in the reaction zone or molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone) includes detection of a carbon dioxide treatment index within the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 discharged from the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment to the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 is based on the detection of two or more carbon dioxide treat-rate indicators within the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, where the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits gaseous emissions 18, where any gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24, when a capacity is detected within the reaction zone 10 in which a carbon dioxide treat rate indicator is indicative of the reaction zone 10 to receive an increased molar rate of carbon dioxide supply, the adjustment to the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 includes initiating the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24 to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting that the carbon dioxide throughput indicator within the reaction zone 10 is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10 to receive a supply of carbon dioxide having an increased molar rate. In some of these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively disposed with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, in some of these embodiments, the process further comprises reducing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, or terminating the supply. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the detection of a throughput indicator representing the capacity of the reaction zone 10 to receive a supply of carbon dioxide at an increased molar rate occurs when a gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is supplied to the reaction zone 10. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, the detection of a throughput indicator representing the capacity of the reaction zone 10 to receive a supply of carbon dioxide at an increased molar rate occurs when the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is not being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits gaseous emissions 18 and at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 are supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24, when a capacity is detected within the reaction zone 10 in which the carbon dioxide treatment capacity indicator indicates that the reaction zone 10 is to receive a reduced molar rate supply of carbon dioxide, the adjustment of the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 includes reducing the molar rate of the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24 supplied to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply. In this regard, the adjustment is performed in response to detecting that the carbon dioxide throughput indicator within the reaction zone 10 is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10 to receive a reduced molar rate of carbon dioxide supply. In embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, in some of these embodiments the process further comprises initiating the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit.
In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide treat rate indicator is the pH within reaction zone 10. At an operating pH within the reaction zone 10 above a predetermined pH high value (indicating an insufficient molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 10) or below a predetermined pH low value (indicating an excessive molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 10), it will result in a growth of the phototrophic biomass below the desired growth rate, and even in extreme cases may cause death of the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the detected pH within reaction zone 10 is detected within reaction zone 10 using pH sensor 46. A pH sensor 46 is provided for detecting the pH in the reaction zone and transmitting a signal representative of the measured pH in the reaction zone to a controller.
In some embodiments, for example, where the gaseous emission generating process 20 emits gaseous emissions 18, where any gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a reaction zone gaseous emission feed 24, when a pH above a predetermined high pH value is detected within the reaction zone 10, the adjustment of the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emission feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 includes initiating the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emission feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the reaction zone gaseous emission feed 24 supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively disposed with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, in some of these embodiments, the process further comprises reducing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, or terminating the supply. It should be understood that in some embodiments, detecting a pH above a predetermined pH high value within the reaction zone 10 occurs when the reaction zone is supplied with the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10. It should also be understood that in other embodiments, detecting a pH above a predetermined pH high value within the reaction zone 10 occurs when the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is not being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some of these embodiments, the controller responds by initiating the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 after the controller compares the received signal from the pH sensor 47 representative of the measured pH in the reaction zone 10 with a target value (i.e., the predetermined pH high value) and confirms that the measured pH in the reaction zone 10 is above the predetermined pH high value when the pH in the reaction zone is above the predetermined pH high value. In some embodiments, for example, the controller initiates the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 by opening the opening of the flow control element 50. In some embodiments, for example, the controller increases the molar supply rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10 by increasing the opening of the flow control element 50. The flow control element 50 is provided and configured to selectively control the molar rate of the supply flow of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for reaction zone 10 to be supplied to the reaction zone 10 by selectively interfering with the supply flow of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for reaction zone to be supplied to the reaction zone 10, including by causing a pressure loss to occur in the supply flow of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for reaction zone to be supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 is initiated, or the molar rate of supply thereof is increased, by actuating the flow control element 50. The predetermined pH high value is dependent on the phototrophic organism of the biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined pH may be up to 10.
In some of these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, for example, when the controller confirms that the pH within the reaction zone 10 is above a predetermined pH high value, the controller further responds by reducing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit, or terminating the supply. In some embodiments, for example, the controller reduces the molar rate of supply of split gaseous emissions 60 supplied to another operating unit by reducing the opening of a valve disposed between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and another operating unit, wherein the valve is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the another operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller terminates the supply of split gaseous emissions 60 supplied to another operating unit by closing a valve disposed between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the other operating unit, wherein the valve is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the other operating unit.
Also, in these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, in other of these embodiments, for example, when the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit is below a predetermined pressure, the supply molar rate of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit is reduced, or the supply is terminated, wherein the reduction in pressure is generated in response to initiating the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, any of which is a reaction by the controller in response to confirming that the measured pH within the reaction zone is above a predetermined pH high value. In such embodiments, when the controller confirms that the measured pH within the reaction zone is above the predetermined pH high value, the controller initiates the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10, or increases the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, as described above. Starting the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of its supply, correspondingly results in a pressure decrease of the gaseous effluent 18, such that the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the further operating unit becomes lower than a predetermined pressure. When the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit is below a predetermined pressure, the force biasing the closure member 64 (e.g., a valve) closed may exceed the fluid pressure that opens the closure member 64, wherein the closure member 64 is disposed between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the other operating unit and is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the other operating unit. In some embodiments, the opening of the closing element 64 is reduced, thereby reducing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the further operating unit. In other embodiments, the closing element 64 is closed, thereby terminating the supply of split gaseous emissions 60 supplied to the other operating unit.
Also, in these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, in other of these embodiments, for example, when the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit decreases, the supply molar rate of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit is reduced, wherein the decrease in the gaseous effluent 18 pressure is generated in response to driving the supply of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the supply molar rate of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 supplied to the reaction zone 10, any of which is a reaction by the controller in response to confirming that the measured pH within the reaction zone is above a predetermined pH high value. The reduced pressure of gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit results in a reduced supply molar rate of split gaseous effluent 60 being supplied to the other operating unit.
In some embodiments, for example, where the gaseous emissions generation process 20 emits gaseous emissions 18 and at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 are supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone, when the measured pH within the reaction zone 10 is below a predetermined low pH value, the adjustment of the supply of the gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 includes reducing the molar rate of the supply of the gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply. In embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, for example, the process further includes initiating the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit.
In embodiments where the pH within the reaction zone is below a predetermined low pH value, in some of these embodiments, for example, after the controller compares the received signal from the pH sensor 46 representative of the measured pH within the reaction zone 10 to a target value (i.e., a predetermined low pH value) and confirms that the measured pH within the reaction zone 10 is below the predetermined low pH value, the controller responds by reducing the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply. In some embodiments, for example, the controller reduces the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10 by reducing the opening of the flow control element 50 (e.g., valve). In some embodiments, for example, the controller terminates the supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to reaction zone 10 by closing the flow control element 50 (e.g., valve). The predetermined pH low value is dependent on the phototrophic organism of the biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined pH low value may be as low as 4.0.
In embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, the controller further responds by initiating the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, for example, when the controller confirms that the pH within the reaction zone 10 is below a predetermined low pH value. In some embodiments, for example, the controller initiates the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit by actuating a valve disposed between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and another operating unit, or increases the molar rate of supply of split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to another operating unit, wherein the valve is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the process 20 and another operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller initiates the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit by opening a valve disposed between the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and the other operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller increases the molar rate of supply of split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to another operating unit by increasing the opening of a valve interposed between the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and the other operating unit.
Also, in embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, in other embodiments of these embodiments, for example, when the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit is above a predetermined pressure, the supply of the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit is initiated, or the molar rate of the supply of the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit is increased, wherein the increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit above the predetermined pressure is generated in response to a decrease in the molar rate of the supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or the termination of the supply, any of which is a reaction by the controller in response to a confirmation that the measured pH within the reaction zone is below a predetermined low pH value. In such embodiments, when the controller confirms that the pH within the reaction zone measured by the pH sensor 46 is below a predetermined pH low value, the controller causes the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 to be reduced, or the supply to be terminated, as described above. The decrease in the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, or the termination of the supply, causes a corresponding increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit, so that the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit becomes higher than the predetermined pressure. When the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the further operating unit is higher than the predetermined pressure, the fluid pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 opening the closing element 64 exceeds the force biasing the closing element 64 (e.g. a valve) closed, wherein the closing element 64 is interposed between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the further operating unit and is adapted to interfere with the fluid communication between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the further operating unit. In some embodiments, in response to an increase in the fluid pressure, the opening of the closing element 64 is activated, resulting in the activation of the supply of the split gaseous emission 60 to another operating unit. In other embodiments, in response to an increase in the fluid pressure, the opening of the closing element 64 is increased, resulting in an increase in the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit.
Also, in these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and in other of these embodiments, for example, the supply molar rate of the diverted gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit is increased in response to an increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit, the increase in pressure being generated in response to a decrease in the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, or the termination of the supply, any of which is a reaction by the controller in response to a confirmation that the measured pH within the reaction zone is below a predetermined low pH value. In such embodiments, when the controller confirms that the pH within the reaction zone measured by the pH sensor 47 is below a predetermined pH low value, the controller causes the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to be reduced, or the supply to be terminated, as described above. The reduced molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 or the termination of the supply results in a corresponding increase in the pressure of gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit. An increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit results in an increase in the molar rate of supply of split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit.
In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide treat rate indicator is the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, it is desirable that the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is controlled, for example, to a molar concentration that provides a higher overall yield of the phototrophic biomass, when the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is maintained at or within a predetermined concentration range. In some embodiments, the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is determined by a cell counter 47. For example, one suitable cytometer is AS-16F single channel absorption probe supplied by optek-Danulat of Germany, conn. Other suitable means for determining the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass include other light scattering sensors, such as spectrophotometers. In addition, the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass can be determined manually, and the value can then be manually entered into the controller to produce the desired response.
In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emission generating process 20 emits gaseous emission 18 and at least a portion of the gaseous emission 18 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the gaseous emission 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone, the adjusting of the supply of the gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 when the concentration of the phototrophic biomass is detected within the reaction zone 10 to be greater than a predetermined molar concentration high value ("predetermined target concentration high value") of the phototrophic biomass includes reducing a molar rate of the supply of the gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply. In these embodiments below, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, the process further comprising initiating the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit.
In embodiments where the concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is above the predetermined concentration target value, in some of these embodiments, the controller responds by reducing the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 when the controller compares a received signal from the cell counter 47 representative of the measured molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 to the predetermined concentration target value and confirms that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is above the predetermined concentration target value. In some embodiments, the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10 is reduced, for example, by a controller reducing the opening of the flow control element 50. In some embodiments, the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 is terminated, for example, by a controller closing the flow control element 50.
In embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous emission generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous emission 60 to the other operating unit, in some of these embodiments, for example, the controller further responds by initiating the supply of the split gaseous emission 60 to the other operating unit or increasing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous emission 60 to the other operating unit when the controller compares a received signal from the cell counter 47 representative of the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 with the predetermined concentration target value and confirms that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is above the predetermined concentration target value. In some embodiments, for example, the controller initiates the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit by actuating a valve disposed between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and another operating unit, or increases the molar rate of supply of split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to another operating unit, wherein the valve is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the process 20 and another operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller initiates the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit by actuating an opening of a valve disposed between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the other operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller increases the molar rate of supply of split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to another operating unit by increasing the opening of a valve interposed between the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and the other operating unit.
Also, in embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, in other embodiments of these embodiments, for example, when the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit is above a predetermined pressure, the supply of the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit is initiated, or the molar rate of the supply of the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit is increased, wherein the increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit above the predetermined pressure is generated in response to a decrease in the molar rate of the supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 or termination of the supply, either of which is a reaction by the controller in response to a confirmation that the measured molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is above a predetermined concentration target value. In such embodiments, when the controller confirms by the cell counter 47 that the measured molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is above the predetermined concentration target value, the controller causes the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 to be reduced, or the supply to be terminated, as described above. Decreasing the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 or terminating the supply causes a corresponding increase in the pressure of gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit such that the pressure of gaseous effluent 18 becomes higher than the predetermined pressure. When the pressure of the gaseous emissions 18 is above a predetermined pressure, the fluid pressure that causes the closure element 64 to open exceeds the force that biases the closure element 64 (e.g., a valve) closed, wherein the closure element 64 is interposed between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the other operating unit and is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the other operating unit. In some embodiments, the opening of the closing element 64 is opened, thereby initiating the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating element. In some embodiments, the opening of the closing element 64 is increased, thereby increasing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit.
Also, in these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generation process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the diverted gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and in other of these embodiments, for example, the supply molar rate of the diverted gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit is increased in response to an increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit, the increase in pressure being generated in response to a decrease in the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, or the termination of the supply, any of which is a response by the controller in response to a confirmation that the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is above a predetermined concentration target value. In such embodiments, when the controller confirms that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass, as measured by the cell counter 47, within the reaction zone is above the predetermined concentration target value, the controller causes the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 to be reduced, or the supply to be terminated, as described above. Decreasing the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 or terminating the supply results in a corresponding increase in the pressure of gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit. An increase in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the further device results in an increase in the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the further operating unit.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emission generating process 20 emits gaseous emissions 18, any gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 defining a gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone, when a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass below a predetermined molar concentration low value ("predetermined concentration target low value") is detected within the reaction zone 10, the adjusting of the supply of gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 includes initiating the supply of gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of the supply of gaseous emission supply 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively disposed with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, in some of these embodiments, the process further comprises reducing the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, or terminating the supply.
In embodiments where the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is below the predetermined concentration target low value, in some of these embodiments, the controller responds by initiating the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 when the controller compares a received signal from the cell counter 47 representing the measured molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 to the predetermined concentration target low value and confirms that the measured molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is below the predetermined concentration target low value. In some embodiments, this is achieved, for example, by a controller activating the flow control element 50. In some embodiments, the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 is initiated by a controller opening the opening of the flow control element 50. In some embodiments, the molar supply rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone that is supplied to the reaction zone 10 is increased by the controller increasing the opening of the flow control element 50.
In these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous emission generating process 20 is cooperatively arranged with the other operating unit to supply the split gaseous emission 60 to the other operating unit, and in some of these embodiments, the controller further responds by reducing the molar rate of supply of split gaseous emission 60 to the other operating unit, or terminating the supply, when, for example, the controller compares a received signal from the cell counter 47 representative of the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 with the concentration target low value and confirms that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is below the predetermined concentration target low value. In some embodiments, for example, the controller reduces the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous feed 60 to another operating unit, or terminates the supply, by actuating a valve interposed between the gaseous emission generating process 20 and another operating unit, wherein the valve is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the gaseous emission generating process 20 and another operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller reduces the supply molar rate of the split gaseous emissions 60 supplied to the other operating unit by reducing the opening of a valve interposed between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the other operating unit. In some embodiments, for example, the controller terminates the supply of split gaseous emissions 60 supplied to another operating unit by closing a valve interposed between the gaseous emissions generating process 20 and the other operating unit.
Also, in these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous emissions generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous emissions 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous emissions 60 are supplied to the other operating unit, in other of these embodiments, for example, the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous emissions 60 to the other operating unit is reduced or the supply of the split gaseous emissions 60 to the other operating unit is terminated in response to a decrease in the pressure of the split gaseous emissions 60 to the other operating unit in response to initiating the supply of the gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply of the gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10, either of which is a response by the controller in response to determining that the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is below a predetermined concentration target low value. The pressure decrease causes the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit to be below a predetermined minimum pressure and the force biasing the closing element 64 (e.g., a valve) closed may exceed the fluid pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 that causes the closing element 64 to open, wherein the closing element 64 is interposed between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the other operating unit and is configured to interfere with the fluid communication between the gaseous effluent generating process 20 and the other operating unit. In some embodiments, the opening of the closing element 64 is reduced in response to a decrease in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit, which may result in a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit. In other embodiments, closing the closing element 64 in response to a decrease in the pressure of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit may result in termination of the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit.
Also, in these embodiments, the outlet of the gaseous effluent generating process 20 is cooperatively configured with another operating unit to supply the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit, and when the split gaseous effluent 60 is supplied to the other operating unit, in other of these embodiments, for example, the molar rate of supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to the other operating unit is reduced in response to a pressure reduction of the gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit, wherein the pressure reduction is generated in response to initiating the supply of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, any of which is a reaction by the controller in response to a confirmation that the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is below the predetermined concentration target low value. The reduced pressure of gaseous effluent 18 upstream of the other operating unit results in a reduced supply molar rate of split gaseous effluent 60 being supplied to the other operating unit.
In some embodiments, for example, the adjustment of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to the other operating unit is concurrent with the adjustment of the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the supply of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit is initiated or the supply molar rate of the split gaseous effluent 60 supplied to another operating unit is increased when the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10 is reduced or the supply is terminated. In this regard, in addition, when the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for a reaction zone to the reaction zone 10 is started, or the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for a reaction zone to be supplied to the reaction zone 10 is increased, the supply molar rate of the split gaseous effluent 60 to another operation unit is reduced or the supply is terminated.
In some embodiments, for example, the flow control element 50 is a flow control valve. In some embodiments, for example, the flow control element 50 is a three-way valve that may also regulate the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48, as will be described further below.
In some embodiments, for example, the closure element 64 is any one of a valve, a damper, or a stack cap (stack cap).
In some embodiments, for example, when the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 is fluidly supplied to the reaction zone 10, the flow of the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 is effected at least in part by the prime mover 38. Examples of suitable prime movers 38 for such embodiments include blowers, compressors, pumps (for pressurizing liquid comprising the reaction zone with gaseous effluent feed 24) and air pumps. In some embodiments, for example, the prime mover 38 is a variable speed blower, and the prime mover 38 may also function as a flow control element 50 configured to selectively control the flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22 and define the flow rate.
In some embodiments, for example, the other operating unit is a chimney 62. The chimney 62 is configured to receive the diverted gaseous emissions 60 supplied from the outlet of the gaseous emissions generation process 20. In operation, the split gaseous effluent 60 is set at a pressure high enough to enable it to flow through the chimney 62. In some of these embodiments, for example, the split gaseous emission stream 60 flowing through the chimney 62 is directed to a space remote from the outlet of the gaseous emission generating process 20. Also, in some of these embodiments, the diverted gaseous emissions 60 are supplied from the outlet, for example, when the pressure of the gaseous emissions 18 exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In such embodiments, for example, when the pressure of the gaseous emissions 18 exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure, the closure element 64 is caused to open, thereby effecting the supply of the split gaseous emissions 60.
In some embodiments, for example, in response to detecting that the carbon dioxide treat rate indicator represents a capacity of the reaction zone 10 to receive a reduced molar rate supply of carbon dioxide from the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24, the chimney 62 is configured such that a diverted portion of the gaseous emissions 18 is directed to a space remote from an outlet of the gaseous emissions 18 from the gaseous emissions generation process 20, such that emissions of gaseous emissions having unacceptable carbon dioxide concentrations to the environment may be reduced.
In some embodiments, for example, the chimney 62 is an existing chimney 62 that has been tuned to accommodate the lower airflow flux provided by the split gaseous emissions 60. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a liner is inserted within the chimney 62 to accommodate the lower flux.
In some embodiments, for example, the other operating unit is a separator that can remove carbon dioxide from the split gaseous effluent 60. In some embodiments, for example, the separator is a gas absorber.
In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous emissions 18 are emitted from the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 are supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone, when a carbon dioxide treat-ment indicator is detected within the reaction zone 10 that indicates that the reaction zone 10 is to receive a reduced molar rate supply of carbon dioxide (e.g., a pH within the reaction zone that is less than a predetermined low pH value, or a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone that is greater than a predetermined high molar concentration of phototrophic biomass) is detected), the adjustment of the gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone in response to the detected carbon dioxide treat-ment indicator that indicates that the reaction zone 10 is to receive a reduced molar rate supply of carbon dioxide, includes reducing the molar rate of supply of gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply, in which case the process further includes starting a feed 48 comprising make-up gas to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of feed 48 comprising the feed gas supplied to the reaction zone 10.
The carbon dioxide, if present, in the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 is at a molar concentration that is lower than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the make-up gas feed 48 is less than 3 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the make-up gas feed 48. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the make-up gas feed 48 is less than one (1) mole percent based on the total molar amount of the make-up gas feed 48. In some embodiments, for example, a make-up gas containing feedstock 48 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as part of the reaction zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is a gaseous material. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 comprises a dispersion of gaseous material within liquid material.
In some embodiments, for example, it is co-operative to reduce the molar supply rate of carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10, or terminate the supply, by adjusting the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to reduce the molar supply rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone 10, or terminate the supply, with the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the supply of split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit is initiated or the supply molar rate of split gaseous effluent 60 to another operating unit is increased while the supply molar rate of gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone that is supplied to reaction zone 10 is reduced or terminated, and the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to reaction zone 10 is initiated or the supply molar rate of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 that is supplied to reaction zone 10 is increased.
In some of these embodiments, and as described above, the flow control element 50 is a three-way valve and can regulate the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone in combination with the regulation of the supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 in response to the carbon dioxide treat rate indicator. In this regard, when a carbon dioxide throughput indicator is detected within the reaction zone 10 that is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone to receive a reduced molar rate of carbon dioxide supply (e.g., a pH in the reaction zone below a predetermined low pH value or a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone above a predetermined high molar concentration of phototrophic biomass) is detected, the controller responds by actuating the valve 50 to initiate supply of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone or to increase the molar rate of supply of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the controller responds by actuating the valve 50 to reduce the molar rate of supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 or terminate the supply thereof when a measure of the carbon dioxide throughput in the reaction zone 10 is detected to be representative of the volume of the reaction zone to receive a molar rate increase of carbon dioxide supply (e.g., a pH in the reaction zone above a predetermined high pH value or a phototrophic biomass molar concentration in the reaction zone below a predetermined low molar concentration of phototrophic biomass) is detected.
In another aspect, when the gaseous emissions 18 are discharged from the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 are supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 supplied to the reaction zone 10 define a gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone, and the operation is performed such that the molar rate of supply of the gaseous emissions feed 24 for the reaction zone supplied to the reaction zone 10 is reduced or terminated, in which case the process further comprises initiating the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, initiating the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, is performed in response to detecting a decrease in the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or termination of the supply, or detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or termination of the supply. For example, as described above, a decrease in the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10 or termination of such supply is effected in response to detecting that the carbon dioxide treat rate indicator is indicative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10 to receive a reduced molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the flow sensor representative of the current measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone with the previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone and confirms that the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is decreasing, the controller actuates an opening of a flow control element, such as a valve (e.g., valve 50), to activate the supply of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 from the source of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 or to increase the molar supply rate of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 from the source of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48.
In other of these embodiments, the molar rate of supply of gaseous effluent feed 24 to reaction zone 10 is reduced, or the supply terminated, by reducing the molar rate of gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In some of these embodiments, for example, in response to detecting a decrease in the molar rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, or detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged by the gaseous effluent generation process 20, the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 is initiated, or the molar rate of the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 is increased, respectively. In some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 and transmitting a signal representative of the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 to a controller. After the controller compares the received signal from the flow sensor representative of the current measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 with the previously received signal representative of the previously measured molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 and confirms that the molar flow rate of the gaseous effluent 18 is decreasing, the controller actuates an opening of a flow control element, such as a valve (e.g., valve 50), to initiate the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 from a source of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 or to increase the supply molar rate of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 supplied to the reaction zone 10 from a source of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48.
In some embodiments, for example, phototrophic biomass disposed in reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while initiating supply of supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 to reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of supply of the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 to reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10 is regulated, for example, by a flow control element 50 (e.g., after being driven by a controller). In some embodiments, the controller performs the driving when comparing the measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 discharged by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 with the previously measured molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 discharged by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and confirming that the molar flow rate of the gaseous emissions 18 discharged by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 has decreased.
In the case of any of the above-described embodiments of the present process wherein the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for reaction zone supplied to reaction zone 10 is reduced or terminated, and the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to reaction zone 10 is initiated, or the supply molar rate of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 supplied to reaction zone 10 is increased, in some of these embodiments, for example, the supply of make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to reaction zone 10 is initiated, or the supply molar rate of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 supplied to reaction zone 10 is increased, at least partially compensating for the reduction in the molar supply rate of the feedstock supplied to reaction zone 10 (e.g., the feedstock of the reaction zone feed 22) or the termination of the supply of the feedstock (e.g., the feedstock of the reaction zone feed 22) due to the reduction in the supply molar rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for reaction zone supplied to reaction zone 10 or the termination of the supply thereof. In some embodiments, for example, the molar supply rate of the feedstock supplied to the reaction zone 10 (e.g., the feedstock of the reaction zone feed material 22) may be substantially unchanged as compensated for the reduced molar supply rate of the feedstock supplied to the reaction zone 10 (e.g., the feedstock of the reaction zone feed material 22) due to the reduced molar supply rate of the gaseous effluent feed 24 supplied to the reaction zone 10 or the termination of the supply thereof, or the termination of the supply of the feedstock (e.g., the feedstock of the reaction zone feed material 22), such as by initiating the supply of the feedstock 48 containing make-up gas, or increasing the molar supply rate of the feedstock 48 containing make-up gas.
In some embodiments, a combination of (a) reducing the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply, and (b) initiating the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of supply thereof, reduces the extent of agitation weakening in the reaction zone 10 due to a reduction in the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone 10, or termination of the supply thereof. In some embodiments, for example, a combination of make-up gas containing feedstock and any of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone is supplied to the reaction zone as at least a portion of the reaction zone feed 22, and the reaction zone feed 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 and provides agitation to the material within the reaction zone such that the molar concentration difference of phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone 10 is less than 20%. In some embodiments, for example, the agitation effect produced may be such that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass at any two points within the reaction zone 10 differs by less than 10%. The purpose of the supply of the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 is to reduce the concentration gradient between phototrophic biomass at any two points in the reaction zone above the desired maximum limit.
In some embodiments, for example, feed 48 is a gaseous material containing make-up gas. In some of these embodiments, for example, the make-up gas containing feedstock 48 comprises a dispersion of a gaseous material within a liquid material. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental gas-containing feedstock 48 comprises air. In some of these embodiments, for example, the feed 48 containing make-up gas is provided in fluid form.
In some cases, it is preferred that the phototrophic biomass is grown by utilizing carbon dioxide in the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20, but the molar concentration of carbon dioxide within the discharged gaseous effluent 18 is excessive for the desired growth rate of the phototrophic biomass. In this regard, when a reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 and the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied by a reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 discharged from a gaseous effluent generation process 20 such that the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 defines at least a portion of the reaction zone feed material 22, if the concentration of carbon dioxide in the reaction zone feed material 22 is too high (the concentration of carbon dioxide being at least partially due to the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous effluent 18 used to obtain the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24), adverse reactions of phototrophic biomass may occur upon exposure to the reaction zone feed material 22.
In other cases, where reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 and the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied by supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 such that the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 defines at least a portion of the reaction zone feed material 22, the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 may contain a relatively high concentration of carbon dioxide (e.g., greater than 90 mole percent carbon dioxide based on the total molar amount of supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92), such that adverse reactions of phototrophic biomass may occur upon exposure to the reaction zone feed material 22.
In this regard, in another aspect, carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, and the supplied carbon dioxide defines the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed. A concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is provided, wherein the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A comprises the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed. The concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is admixed with supplemental gaseous diluent 90. The blending may produce a diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B, wherein the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B has a molar concentration of carbon dioxide that is lower than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A. At least a portion of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B is supplied to the reaction zone 10. The supplemental gaseous diluent 90 has a lower molar concentration of carbon dioxide than the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed comprises, or is defined by, carbon dioxide emitted by the gaseous emission generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide feed comprises, or is defined by, the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92.
In another aspect, a concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is admixed with a supplemental gaseous diluent 90 as the gaseous emissions 18 are emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20, wherein the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A comprises a feed 24A for obtaining gaseous emissions, wherein the feed 24A for obtaining gaseous emissions is defined by at least a portion of the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20. The blending effect produces a diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B, wherein the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B has a lower molar concentration of carbon dioxide than the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A. At least a portion of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B is supplied to the reaction zone 10. The supplemental gaseous diluent 90 has a lower molar concentration of carbon dioxide than the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A. In some of these embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is admixed with the supplemental gaseous diluent 90. In some embodiments, for example, the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is defined by the feed 24A for obtaining gaseous emissions. In some embodiments, for example, the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A comprises the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 is supplied to the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A while blending.
In some embodiments, for example, the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B contains a molar concentration of carbon dioxide that is less than a predetermined molar concentration maximum of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum is at least 30 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum is at least 20 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum is at least 10 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B.
In some embodiments, for example, blending of the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 with the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is performed in response to detecting that the molar concentration of carbon dioxide within the gaseous effluent 18 emitted by the carbon dioxide generation process 20 is greater than a predetermined molar concentration maximum of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar concentration of carbon dioxide maximum is at least 10 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the gaseous effluent 18. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum is at least 20 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the gaseous effluent 18. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum is at least 30 mole percent based on the total molar amount of the gaseous effluent 18. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the emitted gaseous emissions 18 and transmitting a signal to the controller representative of the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the gaseous emissions 18 emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20. When the controller compares the received signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 representative of the measured carbon dioxide molar concentration of the gaseous effluent 18 to a predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum and confirms that the carbon dioxide molar concentration of the gaseous effluent 18 is greater than the predetermined carbon dioxide molar concentration maximum, the controller opens or increases the opening of the control valve 901 to supply make-up gaseous diluent 90 for blending with the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A.
In some embodiments, for example, where the gaseous effluent generation process 20 emits carbon dioxide and at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a portion of the emitted carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a reaction zone feed with emitted carbon dioxide, when an indication of a decrease in the supply molar rate of the carbon dioxide supply to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the supply molar rate of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is increased, or the supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is initiated. The supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 is supplied to the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A in response to detecting an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone effluent carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 such that at least a portion of the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is defined by the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 and the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is admixed with the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 to produce a diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B when at least a portion of the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the source of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 is a carbon dioxide cylinder. In some embodiments, for example, the source of the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 is an air supply. In some of these embodiments, the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is blended with the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to produce the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B, and at least a portion of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is blended with the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 to produce the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B such that the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B contains a molar concentration of carbon dioxide that is below the predetermined carbon dioxide concentration maximum. In some embodiments, for example, blending is performed in response to detecting that the molar concentration of carbon dioxide within the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A (which includes the supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92) is above a predetermined molar concentration maximum of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, for example, the indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone with the vented carbon dioxide feed to the reaction zone 10 is any of the indications described above. In some embodiments, for example, to maintain a constant growth rate of phototrophic biomass, the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 is provided to compensate for a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the gaseous effluent supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 if the decrease is considered to be only temporary (e.g., less than two weeks).
In these embodiments below, the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A comprises a supplemental carbon dioxide feed 92 and the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A is admixed with the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 to produce the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B, at least a portion of the diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B being supplied to a reaction zone, in which case the admixture of the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A with the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 is designed such that a diluted carbon dioxide feed 25B is produced containing a predetermined molar concentration of carbon dioxide.
In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 is a gaseous material. In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 comprises air. In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental gaseous diluent 90 is supplied to the concentrated carbon dioxide feed 25A in fluid form.
The reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation so that photosynthesis can take place. The photosynthesis can grow phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, a carbon dioxide-rich phototrophic biomass disposed in an aqueous medium is provided, and the carbon dioxide-rich phototrophic biomass disposed in the aqueous medium is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation for photosynthesis.
In some embodiments, for example, the optical radiation is characterized by a wavelength between 400-700 nm. In some embodiments, for example, the optical radiation is in the form of natural sunlight. In some embodiments, the optical radiation is provided, for example, by an artificial light source 14. In some embodiments, for example, the optical radiation includes natural sunlight and artificial light.
In some embodiments, for example, the intensity of the light provided is controlled to conform to the desired growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the intensity of the light provided is adjusted based on the determination of the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the intensity of the light provided is adjusted according to the molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the reaction zone feed material 22.
In some embodiments, light of a predetermined wavelength is provided, for example, depending on the conditions of the reaction zone 10. It has been said that, in general, the light is provided by a 1:4 blue light source and a red light source. This ratio varies depending on the phototrophic organism used. Furthermore, the ratio may be changed when a daily cycle pattern needs to be simulated. For example, more red light is provided when dawn or dusk is simulated, and more blue light is provided when noon conditions are simulated. Furthermore, this ratio can be changed by providing more blue light to simulate a manual recovery cycle.
Blue light has been found to stimulate the reconstruction of the internal structure of the algae cells, which may become damaged after a period of rapid growth, while red light promotes the growth of algae. Also, it has been found that the exclusion of green light from the spectrum can continue to grow algae within the reaction zone 10 even beyond what has been previously determined to be its "saturation point" in water, so long as sufficient carbon dioxide (and in some embodiments other nutrients) is provided.
In the case of artificial light sources, for example, suitable artificial light sources 14 include immersion optical fibers, light emitting diodes, LED strips, and fluorescent light. Any LED tape known in the art may be used in this process. In the case of a submerged LED, its design includes the use of a solar cell to supply power. In the case of submerged LEDs, in some embodiments, for example, the energy source comprises an alternative energy source, such as wind, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, etc., to supply power to the LEDs.
In some of these embodiments, for embodiments in which the reaction zone 10 is disposed within a photobioreactor 12 that includes a sump, the light energy is provided, for example, by a combination of the following light sources. Natural light sources 16 in the form of sunlight are captured by solar collectors and filtered using conventional lenses that provide light of the desired wavelength to the reaction zone 10. The filtered light from the solar collector is then transmitted through the light guide or fiber optic material into the photobioreactor 12 where it becomes dispersed within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the light pipes within the photobioreactor 12 contain, in addition to sunlight, a high power LED array capable of providing light of a specific wavelength to supplement sunlight as desired or to provide all of the desired light to the reaction zone 10 during darkness (e.g., at night). In some embodiments, for example, a transparent heat transfer medium (e.g., a glycol solution) is circulated in the light guide within the photobioreactor 12 to regulate the temperature within the light guide, and in some cases, to provide for controlled dissipation of heat from the light guide and into the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the power requirements of the LEDs may be predicted from trends observed for gaseous emissions 18, and thus controlled, as these observed trends help predict the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass at a later time.
In some embodiments, the reaction mixture is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation while the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied.
In some embodiments, for example, the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass depends on the available gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone (defined by at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20 and supplied to the reaction zone 10). Which in turn defines the nutrients, water and light intensity required to maximize the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, a controller, such as a computer-implemented system, is provided for monitoring and controlling the operation of the various elements of the processes described herein, including lights, valves, sensors, blowers, fans, dampers, pumps, and the like.
From which reaction zone product 500 is discharged. The reaction zone product 500 includes phototrophic biomass 58. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone product 500 comprises at least a portion of the contents of the reaction zone 10. In this regard, phototrophic biomass may be collected from the discharged reaction zone product 500. In some embodiments, for example, reaction zone gaseous effluent 80 is also withdrawn from the reaction zone 10.
In another aspect, a process for growing phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10 is provided that includes adjusting the molar rate of discharge of the phototrophic biomass in response to detection of an index of growth of the phototrophic biomass.
A reaction mixture (in the form of a production reaction mixture) for photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation is placed within the reaction zone 10. The production-purpose reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass for production purposes that is capable of growing within the reaction zone 10. In this regard, a reaction zone concentration of phototrophic biomass for production is provided within the reaction zone 10. When a difference between a phototrophic biomass growth target value and a predetermined phototrophic biomass growth target value within the reaction zone 10 is detected, the process includes adjusting a molar rate of discharge of the phototrophic biomass for production within the reaction zone 10, wherein the predetermined phototrophic biomass growth target value is associated with a predetermined molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for production within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to the photosynthetic effective optical radiation, when the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to the photosynthetic effective optical radiation, and growth of the phototrophic biomass for production within the reaction zone 10 is effected. The growth of the phototrophic biomass for production purposes includes growth by photosynthesis. In some embodiments, for example, the growth comprises growth by metabolic processes that consume supplemental nutrients disposed within the reaction mixture.
The predetermined phototrophic biomass growth target value corresponds to a phototrophic biomass growth target value when the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for production within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to the photosynthetically active light radiation is a predetermined molar growth rate.
In some embodiments, for example, the growth of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass is carried out within 10% of a predetermined growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, the growth of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass is carried out within 5% of a predetermined growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the growth of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass is carried out within 1% of a predetermined growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some embodiments, for example, the adjusting is performed in response to a comparison of the measured phototrophic biomass growth index to the predetermined phototrophic biomass growth index target value.
In some embodiments, for example, the process further comprises detecting a phototrophic biomass growth index to provide the measured phototrophic biomass growth index.
In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass growth index is the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the measured phototrophic biomass growth index is representative of a molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass for production within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10. In this regard, in some of these embodiments, for example, the measured phototrophic biomass growth index is the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass for production within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10. In other of these embodiments, for example, the measured phototrophic biomass growth index is the molar concentration of the production use phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone product 500. In some embodiments, the concentration is detected, for example, by a cytometer 47. For example, one suitable cytometer is the AS-16F single channel absorption probe supplied by optek-Danulat of Germany, wisconsin. Other suitable means for determining the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass index include other light scattering sensors, such as spectrophotometers. In addition, the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass can be determined manually and then the value manually input to the controller to produce the desired response.
In some embodiments, for example, growing the phototrophic biomass includes supplying carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 10, and exposing the production-use reaction mixture to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the supplied carbon dioxide is supplied from the gaseous effluent 18 of the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous effluent generation process 20 emits gaseous effluent 18, and at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 is supplied to a reaction zone feed 22 (as a reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24), and the reaction zone feed 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, where the carbon dioxide supplied is supplied from the gaseous effluent 18 of the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as growth occurs, wherein at least a portion of the carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10 is supplied by the gaseous effluent 18 as the gaseous effluent 18 is discharged from the gaseous effluent generation process 20.
In some embodiments, for example, the production use reaction mixture further comprises water and carbon dioxide.
In some of these embodiments, for example, as described above, the predetermined molar rate of growth of the phototrophic biomass is based on a maximum molar rate of growth of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar growth rate of the production-use phototrophic biomass is at least 90% of the maximum molar growth rate of the production-use phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar growth rate is at least 95% of the maximum molar growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar growth rate is at least 99% of the maximum molar growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar growth rate is equal to a maximum molar growth rate of the production phototrophic biomass in the reaction mixture disposed in the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some embodiments, for example, when adjusting the molar rate of the production use phototrophic biomass discharged from the reaction zone 10, the volume of the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone is maintained constant or substantially constant for a period of at least one (1) hour. In some embodiments, for example, the period of time is at least six (6) hours. In some embodiments, for example, the period of time is at least 24 hours. In some embodiments, for example, the period of time is at least seven (7) days. In some embodiments, for example, when the adjustment is performed, to achieve the best economic benefit of the process, the volume of the reaction mixture placed within the reaction zone is maintained constant or substantially constant for a period of time such that the predetermined phototrophic biomass growth index value, and the predetermined molar rate of phototrophic biomass growth, are maintained constant or substantially constant over the period of time.
In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone 10 is disposed within a photobioreactor 12, and the production use phototrophic biomass is withdrawn from the photobioreactor 12 (and reaction zone 10) by supplying an aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 in a displacement manner. In other words, the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 enables the replacement of the production phototrophic biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and reaction zone 10) such that the production phototrophic biomass is discharged from the photobioreactor 12 (and reaction zone 10). In some embodiments, for example, the production-use phototrophic biomass is discharged from the photobioreactor 12 by way of overflow displacement of the photobioreactor 12.
In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 is substantially free of phototrophic biomass. In other embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material contains phototrophic biomass at a molar concentration that is lower than the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass in the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied in the form of a fluid from a source 6 of aqueous feed material 4. For example, the fluid is driven by a prime mover, such as a pump. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material comprises a make-up aqueous material feed 44. As described above, in some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied from the container 28. In this regard, in embodiments in which the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is contained within the aqueous feed material 4, the container serves as the source 6 of the aqueous feed material 4.
In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 includes a supplemental nutrient feed 42 and a supplemental aqueous material feed 44. In some of these embodiments, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 upstream of the reaction zone 10. In this regard, as described above and with reference to fig. 2, in some of these embodiments, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 and supplemental aqueous material feed 44 are supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 through a spray head 40 upstream of the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, when the measured phototrophic biomass growth index is a molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10, and the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10 is below a predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value, the adjusting includes reducing the molar rate of the production use phototrophic biomass discharged from the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the production-use phototrophic biomass is discharged from the reaction zone 10 by way of displacement of the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, and the molar rate of discharge of the production-use phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 is reduced by reducing the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 or terminating the supply. in this regard, when discharging the production-use phototrophic biomass by such displacement, in some embodiments, for example, when the measured phototrophic biomass growth indicator is the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10, the controller responds by reducing the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 or terminating the supply, thereby reducing the molar rate of discharge of the production-use phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 or terminating the discharge thereof, when comparing the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10, as detected by the cell counter 47, with a predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value, and confirming that the measured molar concentration is below the predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value. In some embodiments, for example, the controller reduces the molar rate of the aqueous feed material 4 supplied to the reaction zone 10 by reducing the opening of the control valve 441, the control valve 441 being disposed within a flow channel that facilitates the supply of fluid from the source 6 of aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the controller terminates the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 by closing a control valve 441, the control valve 441 being disposed within a flow channel that facilitates the supply of the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 from the source 6 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 is driven by a prime mover, such as a pump 281. In some embodiments, for example, the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 is driven by gravity. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 includes a supplemental aqueous material feed 44 supplied by the vessel 28. In some embodiments, the aqueous feed material 4 is a make-up aqueous material feed 44 supplied from the vessel 28. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied by the container 28 by means of the pump 281, and in other of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied by the container 28 by means of gravity. In some embodiments, for example, when a prime mover (e.g., pump 281) is provided to flow the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, the controller reduces the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 by reducing the power supplied by the prime mover 281 (e.g., pump 281) to the aqueous feed material 4, for example by reducing the speed of the prime mover 281. In some embodiments, for example, when a prime mover (e.g., pump 281) is provided to flow the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, the controller terminates the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 by stopping the prime mover 38.
In some embodiments, for example, when the measured phototrophic biomass growth index is a molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10, and the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10 is above a predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value, the adjusting includes increasing the molar rate of the production use phototrophic biomass discharged from the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the production-use phototrophic biomass is discharged from the reaction zone 10 by way of displacement of the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, and the molar rate of discharge of the production-use phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 is increased by initiating the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply thereof. In this regard, when discharging the production use phototrophic biomass by such displacement means, in some embodiments, for example, when the measured phototrophic biomass growth indicator is a molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, the controller responds by initiating the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 or increasing the molar rate of supply thereof, thereby increasing the molar rate of discharge of the production use phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10, when comparing the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10, as detected by the cell counter 47, with a predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value, and confirming that the measured molar concentration is above the predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value. in some embodiments, for example, the controller initiates the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 by opening a control valve 441, the control valve 441 being disposed within a flow channel that facilitates the supply of the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 from the source 6 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the controller increases the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 by increasing the opening of the control valve 441, the control valve 441 being disposed within a flow channel that facilitates the supply of the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 from the source 6 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 is driven by a prime mover, such as a pump 281. In some embodiments, for example, the fluid of the aqueous feed material 4 is driven by gravity. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material includes a supplemental aqueous material feed 44 supplied by the vessel 28. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material is a supplemental aqueous material feed 44 supplied by the vessel 28. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied from the container 28 by means of the pump 281, and in other of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied from the container 28 by means of gravity. In some embodiments, for example, when a prime mover (e.g., pump 281) is provided to flow the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, the controller initiates the supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 by driving the prime mover. In some embodiments, for example, when a prime mover (e.g., pump 281) is provided to flow the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, the controller causes the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 to increase by increasing the power supplied by the prime mover to the aqueous feed material 4.
In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass 58 is discharged from the reaction zone 10 by a prime mover in fluid communication with the reaction zone 10. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the adjustment of the molar rate of discharge of the phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone comprises:
(i) In response to detecting a difference between a measured phototrophic biomass growth index (disposed in the reaction mixture within the reaction zone) and a predetermined phototrophic biomass growth index target value, the predetermined phototrophic biomass growth index target value being associated with a predetermined molar growth rate of phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation, regulating the power supply to the prime mover for discharging phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10, and
(Ii) While the power supply to the prime mover is regulated, in response to detecting a difference between an measured volume index of the reaction mixture within the reaction zone and a predetermined reaction mixture volume index value representing the volume of the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10, the supply molar rate of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 to the reaction zone 10 is regulated, wherein within the reaction zone 10, a phototrophic biomass growth index within the reaction mixture is set at a predetermined phototrophic biomass growth index target value, while phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture grows at a predetermined phototrophic biomass molar growth rate.
In some embodiments, for example, the reaction mixture volume indicator (or simply "reaction mixture volume indicator") within the reaction zone 10 is the upper level of the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, this upper level is measured, for example, by a level sensor. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, a level sensor is provided to detect the level of the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10 and to transmit a signal representative of the measured level to a controller. The controller compares the received signal to a predetermined liquid level value (representing a predetermined reaction mixture volume index value). If the received signal is below a predetermined level value, the controller responds by initiating the supply of the make-up aqueous material supply 48 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of its supply, for example by opening a valve configured to interfere with the supply of the make-up aqueous material supply 48 to the reaction zone 10 (in the case of initiating supply), or increasing the opening thereof (in the case of increasing the molar rate of supply). If the received signal is above a predetermined level value, the controller responds by reducing the molar rate of supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 48 to the reaction zone 10, or terminating the supply, such as by reducing the opening of a valve configured to interfere with the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 48 to the reaction zone 10 (in the case of reducing the molar rate of supply), or closing the valve (in the case of terminating supply). The supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 48 to the reaction zone 10 is adjusted so that the reaction zone 10 is maintained at a desired level, and make-up water is supplied to the reaction zone 10 in place of the water discharged from the reaction zone 10 along with the phototrophic biomass to optimize the molar rate of growth of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 and, thereby, the molar rate of phototrophic biomass discharged from the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, while adjusting the molar rate at which the phototrophic biomass is withdrawn from the reaction zone 10, the process further includes adjusting the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient feed to the reaction zone in response to detecting a difference between the measured concentration of one or more nutrients (e.g., NO3) within the reaction zone 10 and a corresponding predetermined target concentration value.
In some embodiments, for example, while adjusting the molar rate of the phototrophic biomass exiting the reaction zone 10, the process further includes adjusting the molar rate of the carbon dioxide stream supplied to the reaction zone 10 in response to detection of at least one carbon dioxide treatment capacity indicator. In some embodiments, for example, the detection of the at least one carbon dioxide throughput indicator is performed within the reaction zone 10. The carbon dioxide throughput index detected is any characteristic that is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10, wherein the capacity of the reaction zone 10 is the capacity of the reaction zone to receive carbon dioxide and to convert at least a portion of the received carbon dioxide in a photosynthetic reaction by a phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide throughput index detected is the pH within reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide throughput index detected is the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, while adjusting the molar rate at which the phototrophic biomass is discharged from the reaction zone 10, the process further includes adjusting the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation to which the reaction mixture is subjected in response to detecting a change in the molar rate of carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In another aspect, the process further comprises predetermining the phototrophic biomass growth target value. In this regard, an assessment purpose reaction mixture is provided that is representative of the production purpose reaction mixture and is operable to effect photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation such that the phototrophic biomass in the assessment purpose reaction mixture becomes an assessment purpose phototrophic biomass representative of the production purpose phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the production use reaction mixture further comprises water and carbon dioxide, and the assessment use reaction mixture further comprises water and carbon dioxide. While the assessment purpose reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation resulting in the growth of the assessment purpose phototrophic biomass within the assessment purpose reaction mixture, the process further comprises:
(i) At least periodically detecting the phototrophic biomass growth index to provide a plurality of detection values of the phototrophic biomass growth index that have been detected for a period of time ("at least periodically" meaning intermittently at the same or different time intervals, or are continuously detectable);
(ii) Calculating a molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for evaluation based on the plurality of detection values of the growth index of the phototrophic biomass, thereby determining a plurality of molar growth rates of the phototrophic biomass for evaluation over the period of time, and
(Iii) Based on the calculated molar growth rate and the detection value of the phototrophic biomass growth index for calculating the molar growth rate, a relationship between the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for evaluation and the phototrophic biomass growth index is established such that the established relationship between the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for evaluation and the phototrophic biomass growth index represents a relationship between the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for production and the phototrophic biomass growth index within the reaction zone 10, thereby establishing a relationship between the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for production and the phototrophic biomass growth index within the reaction zone 10.
A predetermined molar growth rate is selected from the calculated molar growth rates. The phototrophic biomass growth index target value is defined as a phototrophic biomass growth index at which the predetermined molar growth rate is caused in accordance with an established relationship between the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass for production and the phototrophic biomass growth index in the reaction zone. In this regard, a correlation is thereby also made between the phototrophic biomass growth target value and the predetermined molar growth rate.
In some embodiments, for example, the assessment of use phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is caused to grow when the reaction zone has at least one characteristic of an assessment of use growth condition, wherein each of the at least one assessment of use growth condition is representative of a characteristic of a production use growth condition that the reaction zone 10 has when the production use phototrophic biomass is grown within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the production use growth conditions are any of a variety of production use growth conditions including the composition of the reaction mixture, the reaction zone temperature, the reaction zone pH, the reaction zone light intensity, the reaction zone illumination pattern (e.g., intensity can vary), the reaction zone illumination cycle (e.g., illumination cycle on/off duration), and the reaction zone temperature. In some embodiments, for example, one or more estimated use growth conditions are provided to facilitate optimizing production of the phototrophic biomass, wherein each of the one or more estimated use growth conditions is representative of production use growth conditions to which the production use reaction mixture is subjected as the production use phototrophic biomass is grown within the reaction zone 10.
In another aspect, the discharging of the phototrophic biomass is performed at a molar discharge rate at least approaching the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone when the phototrophic biomass is grown in the reaction zone 10 at (or relatively near) the maximum molar growth rate.
A reaction mixture in the form of a reaction mixture that can be used for photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation is placed within the reaction zone 10. The production reaction mixture comprises phototrophic biomass in the form of production phototrophic biomass which is capable of being used for growth within the reaction zone 10. When the reaction mixture placed in the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation and causes production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture to grow, the production-purpose phototrophic biomass is discharged from the reaction zone 10 at a molar rate within 10% of the molar rate at which the production-purpose phototrophic biomass grows within the reaction zone 10. The growth of the production use phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10 is carried out at a molar rate of at least 90% of the maximum growth rate of the production use phototrophic biomass in the reaction mixture disposed in the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate of discharge of the production use phototrophic biomass is within 5% of the molar growth rate of the production use phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate of discharge of the production use phototrophic biomass is within 1% of the molar growth rate of the production use phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the growth of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is performed at a molar growth rate of at least 95% of the maximum growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation, and in some embodiments, for example, the molar discharge rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass is set within 5% (e.g., within 1%) of the molar growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the growth of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is performed at a growth molar rate of at least 99% of a maximum growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10 and exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation, and in some embodiments, for example, the discharge molar rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass is set within 5% (e.g., within 1%) of the molar growth rate of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, growing the production use phototrophic biomass comprises supplying carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 10, and exposing the production use reaction mixture to photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the supplied carbon dioxide is supplied by the gaseous emissions 18 of the gaseous emissions generation process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous effluent generation process 20 discharges gaseous effluent 18, and at least a portion of the gaseous effluent 18 is supplied to a reaction zone feed 22 (as a reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24), and the reaction zone feed 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, where the carbon dioxide supplied is supplied by the gaseous effluent 18 of the gaseous effluent generation process 20. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10 while the growth is occurring, wherein at least a portion of the carbon dioxide supplied to the reaction zone is supplied by the gaseous emissions as they are emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process.
In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone 10 is disposed within a photobioreactor 12, and the production use phototrophic biomass is discharged from the photobioreactor 12 (and the reaction zone 10) by a displacement regime responsive to the supply of aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10. In other words, the supply of aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 enables the displacement of production-purpose phototrophic biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and the reaction zone 10), thereby allowing the discharge of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and the reaction zone 10). In some embodiments, for example, the production use phototrophic biomass product is discharged from the photobioreactor in an overflow manner.
In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 and the production-use phototrophic biomass is displaced from the reaction zone 10, thereby causing the production-use phototrophic biomass to be discharged from the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 contains substantially no phototrophic biomass for production purposes. In other of these embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 comprises a production-purpose phototrophic biomass at a concentration lower than the concentration of the reaction zone of the production-purpose phototrophic biomass.
In some embodiments, for example, with respect to the aqueous feed material 4, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied in the form of a fluid from a source 6 of aqueous feed material 4. For example, the fluid is driven by a prime mover, such as a pump. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material comprises a make-up aqueous material feed 44. As described above, in some embodiments, for example, at least a portion of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied from the container 28. In this regard, in embodiments in which the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is contained within the aqueous feed material 4, the container serves as the source 6 of the aqueous feed material 4.
In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 includes a supplemental nutrient feed 42 and a supplemental aqueous material feed 44. In some of these embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 upstream of the reaction zone 10. In this regard, as described above and with reference to fig. 2, in some of these embodiments, the supplemental nutrient feed 42 and supplemental aqueous material feed 44 are supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 through a spray head 40 upstream of the reaction zone 10.
In some of these embodiments, for example, and as described above, the phototrophic biomass 58 is discharged from the reaction zone 10 by a prime mover in fluid communication with the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, as described above, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 such that the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10 is maintained at a predetermined volume.
In another aspect, the phototrophic biomass is discharged at a rate that matches the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, this reduces the impact of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. For some embodiments, for example, the discharge of the phototrophic biomass is controlled by the molar rate of supply of the supplemental aqueous biomass feed 44, which affects the displacement of the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 from the photobioreactor 12. For example, the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 is discharged in an overflow manner. In some of these embodiments, the higher portion of the phototrophic biomass suspension within the reaction zone 10 overflows from the photobioreactor 12 (e.g., the phototrophic biomass is discharged via an overflow port of the photobioreactor 12) to obtain the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500. In other embodiments, for example, the discharge of the product 500 is controlled by a valve disposed in a flow channel fluidly connected to the outlet of the photobioreactor 12.
In some embodiments, for example, the product 500 is discharged continuously. In other embodiments, for example, the product is discharged periodically. In some embodiments, for example, the discharge of the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 is designed such that the molar concentration of biomass within the product is maintained at a relatively low concentration. In embodiments where the phototrophic biomass comprises algae, it may be preferable for some embodiments to discharge the product 500 at a lower molar concentration to mitigate the extent to which the molar growth rate of algae within the reaction zone 10 changes abruptly. Such abrupt changes may cause the algae to be impacted, resulting in lower yields over longer periods of time. In some embodiments, when the phototrophic biomass is an alga, more particularly scenedesmus obliquus (scenedesmus obliquus), the concentration of such alga in the phototrophic biomass-containing product 500 can be between 0.5 and 3 grams per liter. The desired concentration of the discharged algal product 500 depends on the different algal strains, and thus its concentration range varies from algal strain to algal strain. In this regard, in some embodiments, it may be preferable to maintain a predetermined water content within the reaction zone to promote optimal growth of the phototrophic biomass, which may also be affected by controlling the supply of supplemental aqueous biomass feed 44.
The phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 comprises water. In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 is supplied to the separator 52 to remove at least a portion of the water from the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500, thereby yielding an intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 and recovered aqueous material 72 (in some embodiments, substantially water). In some embodiments, for example, the separator 52 is a high-speed centrifugal separator 52. Other suitable examples of separator 52 include a decanter, a settler or pond, a flocculation device, or a flotation device. In some embodiments, the recovered aqueous material 72 is supplied to a vessel 28, such as a vessel for reuse in the process.
In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 is supplied to the collection tank 54 after the product 500 is discharged and before it is supplied to the separator 52. The collection tank 54 functions as both a buffer between the photobioreactor 12 and the separator 52 and as a mixing vessel when the collection tank 54 receives different biomass strains from multiple photobioreactors. In the latter case, the mixture of biomass strains may be tailored using a set of predetermined characteristics designed according to the type or grade of fuel to be produced from the mixture of biomass strains.
As described above, the vessel 28 provides a source of make-up aqueous material feed 44 for the reaction zone 10 and serves to contain the make-up aqueous material feed 44 before the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, moisture loss occurs due to the moisture contained in the phototrophic biomass-comprising end product 36, as well as evaporation within the dryer 32. Make-up aqueous material collected from the process and contained within vessel 28 may be supplied to reaction zone 10 as make-up aqueous material feed 44. In some embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 by a pump 281. In other embodiments, the supply may be by gravity if allowed by the process equipment configuration of the system implementing the process. As described above, the supplemental aqueous material collected from the process comprises at least one of (a) an aqueous material 70 condensed from the reaction zone feed material 22 as it is condensed prior to being supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) an aqueous material 72 separated from the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500. In some embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 to displace the product 500 from the reaction zone. In some embodiments, for example, the product 500 is displaced from the photobioreactor 12 in an overflow manner. In some embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 to achieve a desired predetermined concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone by dilution of the reaction mixture disposed therein.
As noted above, examples of specific configurations that may be used as the vessel 28 (which may contain aqueous material collected from the process) include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, ponds, tanks, channels, ponds, pipes, conduits, channels, and waterways.
In some embodiments, for example, the supplying of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 to the reaction zone 10 is performed when the gaseous emission 18 is emitted by the gaseous emission generating process 20 and the gaseous emission feed 24 for the reaction zone is supplied to the reaction zone feed 22. In some embodiments, for example, when the supplying of the supplemental aqueous material feed to the reaction zone 10 is performed, the carbon dioxide-rich phototrophic biomass disposed in the aqueous medium is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some embodiments, for example, the supply of supplemental aqueous substance feed 44 to reaction zone 10 is adjusted based on detecting a deviation of a phototrophic biomass growth index value from a predetermined target value for the process parameter, wherein the predetermined target value for the phototrophic biomass growth index is based on a predetermined molar growth rate of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone. The detection of the deviation of the phototrophic biomass growth index from the target value of the phototrophic biomass growth index, and the regulation of the supply of the supplemental aqueous mass feed 44 to the reaction zone 10 in response to the detection, are described above.
In some embodiments, for example, the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 to the reaction zone 10 is dependent on the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass. In this regard, the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 or an indicator of the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is detected by a cell counter (e.g., a cell counter as described above). The measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass, or an indicator of the measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass, is transmitted to a controller which responds by initiating the supply of the supplemental aqueous mass feed 44 to the reactor 10, or increasing the molar rate of its supply, when the controller confirms that the measured molar concentration exceeds a predetermined molar concentration high value. In some embodiments, for example, initiating the supply of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 to the reactor 10, or increasing the molar rate of its supply, comprises driving a prime mover, such as a pump 281, to initiate the supply of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 to the reactor 10, or increasing the molar rate of its supply. In some embodiments, for example, effecting the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 to the reactor 10, or increasing the molar rate of its supply, includes opening, or increasing the opening, of a valve configured to interfere with the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 from the vessel 28 to the reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 (which has been recovered from the process) to the reactor 10 is initiated, or the molar rate of supply thereof is increased, when the upper level of the reaction zone 10 contents within the photobioreactor 12 becomes below a predetermined minimum level. In some of these embodiments, for example, a level sensor 76 is provided for detecting the location of the upper level of the reaction zone 10 contents within the photobioreactor and transmitting a signal representative of the upper level of the reaction zone 10 contents to a controller. The controller initiates the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44, or increases the molar rate of supply thereof, when the controller compares the received signal from the level sensor 76 representative of the level of the contents of the reaction zone 10 to a predetermined low level value and confirms that the measured upper level of the contents of the reaction zone is below the predetermined low level value. When the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 by the pump 281, the controller drives the pump 281, thereby initiating the supply of the supplemental aqueous material feed 44 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing its rate of supply. When the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 to the reaction zone 10 is achieved by gravity, the controller actuates the opening of the valve to initiate the supply of the make-up aqueous material feed 44 to the reaction zone 10, or to increase the molar rate of its supply. For example, control of the location of the liquid level on the contents of reaction zone 10 is related to the operation of some of those embodiments in which the discharge of phototrophic biomass 58 from within reaction zone 10 is performed from a lower portion of reaction zone 10 (e.g., when the phototrophic biomass 58 is discharged from reaction zone 10 by a prime mover in fluid communication with reaction zone 10, as described above). For embodiments in which the phototrophic biomass 58 is discharged from the reaction zone 10 by flooding, in some of these embodiments, control of the location of the liquid level on the contents of the reaction zone 10 is related to the course of operation of the "seeding time" of the photobioreactor 12.
In some embodiments, for example, when the discharge of the product 500 is controlled using a valve disposed in a flow channel in fluid communication with the outlet of the photobioreactor 12, the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone can be detected by a cell counter 47, e.g., a cell counter as described above. The measured molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass is transmitted to a controller which responds by causing a valve to open or increasing the opening of the valve when the controller confirms that the measured molar concentration of phototrophic biomass exceeds a predetermined molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass by a high value, such that the molar rate of discharge of the product 500 from the reaction zone 10 is increased.
In some embodiments, for example, an additional source of makeup water 68 is provided to mitigate instances where the makeup aqueous material feed 44 is insufficient to compensate for moisture loss during process operations. In this regard, in some embodiments, for example, the make-up aqueous material feed 44 is mixed with the reaction zone feed material 22 within the spray head 40. Conversely, in some embodiments, for example, means are provided for the discharge of the vessel 28 to the drain 66 to mitigate the recovery of aqueous material from the process beyond that required for replenishment.
In some embodiments, for example, a reaction zone gaseous effluent product 80 is discharged from the reaction zone 10. At least a portion of the reaction zone gaseous effluent product 80 is recovered and supplied to the reaction zone 110 of the combustion process operating unit 100. As a result of photosynthesis within the reaction zone 10, the reaction zone gaseous effluent product 80 is enriched in oxygen relative to the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24. The gaseous emission product 80 is supplied to a combustion zone 110 (e.g., a combustion zone 110 disposed within a reaction tank) of the combustion process operating unit 100, and thus it may function as an effective reactant in the combustion process performed within the combustion process operating unit 100. The reaction zone gaseous emissions product 80 contacts and reacts with the combustibles (e.g., carbonaceous materials) within the combustion zone 100, thereby burning the combustibles. Examples of suitable combustion program operating units 100 include those employed in fossil fuel power plants, industrial incineration plants, industrial furnaces, industrial heaters, internal combustion engines, and cement kilns.
In some embodiments, for example, the recovered reaction zone gaseous emissions product 80 is contacted with a combustible material while the gaseous emissions 18 are being emitted by the gaseous emissions generation process 20 and the reaction zone gaseous emissions feed 24 is being supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for example, the recovered reaction zone gaseous effluent product is contacted with a combustible material when the reaction zone gaseous effluent feed 24 is supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for example, the recovered reaction zone gaseous effluent product is contacted with a combustible material as the reaction zone feed material is supplied to the reaction zone. In some embodiments, for example, carbon dioxide-rich phototrophic biomass disposed in aqueous media is exposed to photosynthetically active optical radiation when the recovered gaseous effluent product of the reaction zone contacts a combustible.
The intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 is supplied to a dryer 32, which dryer 32 provides heat to the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 to evaporate at least a portion of the water in the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34, thereby obtaining a phototrophic biomass-comprising end product 36. As described above, in some embodiments, the heat supplied to the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 is provided by the heat transfer medium 30, which heat transfer medium 30 has been used to cool the reaction zone feed material 22 prior to the reaction zone feed material 22 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. By performing this cooling, heat is transferred from the reaction zone feed 22 to the heat transfer medium 30, thereby raising the temperature of the heat transfer medium 30. In such embodiments, the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 is at a relatively warm temperature and the amount of heat required to evaporate water from the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 is not too great, so it is feasible to use the heat transfer medium 30 as a heat source to dry the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34. After heating the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34, as described above, some of the energy has been lost and the heat transfer medium 30, which thus becomes at a lower temperature, is recycled to the heat exchanger 26 to cool the reaction zone feed material 22. The amount of heat required by the dryer 32 depends on the rate of supply of the intermediate concentration phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 supplied to the dryer 32. The cooling demand (of the heat exchanger 26) and the heating demand (of the dryer 32) are adjusted by the controller to balance these two operations by monitoring the flow rate and temperature of the reaction zone feed material 22 and the production rate of the product 500 resulting from the product 500 exiting the photobioreactor.
In some embodiments, a change in the growth rate of phototrophic biomass from a change in the rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone feed 22 is effected after a significant delay (e.g., in some cases more than three (3) hours, and sometimes even longer) has begun to elapse as the rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone to the reaction zone feed 22 changes. In comparison, the change in the heating value of the heat transfer medium 30 based on the change in the rate of supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone feed 22 for the reaction zone can be accomplished more quickly. In this regard, in some embodiments, a thermal buffer is provided for storing any excess thermal energy (in the form of the heat transfer medium 30) and for introducing a delay in response to the change in heat transfer performance of the dryer 32 with respect to the gaseous effluent feed 24 for the reaction zone. In some embodiments, for example, the thermal buffer is a heat transfer medium reservoir. Or an external heat source may be provided to supplement the heat energy required by the dryer 32 during the transition period of the supply of the gaseous effluent feed 24 to the reaction zone feed 22. To accommodate the variation in the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass, or to accommodate the start-up or shut-down of the process, a thermal buffer or additional heat may be required. For example, if the growth of the phototrophic biomass is reduced or stopped, the dryer 32 may continue to operate by using the thermal energy stored in the buffer until it is depleted, or in some embodiments, a second heat source.
Other embodiments will now be described in further detail with reference to the following non-limiting examples.
Example 1
A prophetic example will now be described, which exemplifies an embodiment of determining a target value for a phototrophic biomass growth index (e.g., algae concentration in a reaction zone of a photobioreactor), and performing the operations of an embodiment of the process described above, including adjusting a molar rate of discharging phototrophic biomass-comprising product from the reaction zone in accordance with a deviation between the detected value of the process parameter and the target value.
First, an initial concentration of algae in an aqueous medium with an appropriate nutrient is provided in a reaction zone of a photobioreactor. Gaseous carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone and the reaction zone is exposed to light from a light source (e.g., an LED) to grow the algae. When the algae concentration in the reaction zone reached 0.5 gram per liter, water was introduced into the reaction zone of the photobioreactor to collect the algae by overflow of the reactor contents, and the initial target algae concentration was set at 0.5 gram per liter. Initially, the supply water is introduced at a relatively moderate and constant rate, such that the photobioreactor is replaced by half (1/2) of the volume per day, as periodic replacement of the water volume in the reaction zone with fresh water has been found to assist in the growth of the algae and can reach a target value in a short period of time. If the algae growth rate is lower than the dilution rate and the measured algae concentration drops by at least 2% relative to the algae concentration set point at any point during the measurement operation, the control system will stop or reduce the dilution rate to avoid further dilution of the algae concentration in the reaction zone. If the algae growth rate is higher than the dilution rate, the algae concentration will increase beyond the initial algae concentration set point, and the control system will increase the algae concentration set point to synchronize with the increased algae concentration while maintaining the same dilution rate. For example, the algae concentration may rise to 0.52 grams per liter, at which point the control system will raise the algae concentration set point to 0.51. The control system continuously monitors increases in algae concentration while increasing target algae concentration. When the measured growth rate of the algae reaches the maximum variation, the target algae concentration is locked to the current value so as to be the target value, and then the dilution rate is adjusted so as to collect the algae at the same rate as the growth rate of the algae in the photobioreactor when the algae concentration is the target value.
The algae growth rate corresponds to the algae concentration. When a substantial change in algae growth rate is measured, it is indicative that the algae in the reaction zone is growing at (or near) its maximum rate, which corresponds to the algae concentration at the target value. In this regard, by controlling the dilution rate to maintain the concentration of algae within the reaction zone at the target value, the growth of the algae can be maintained at (or near) a maximum value, with the result that the rate of discharge of the algae must be optimized over time.
In the foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Although certain dimensions and materials are described with respect to the implementation of the exemplary embodiments, other suitable dimensions and/or materials may be used within the scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations, including all current and future suitable variations that are technically suitable, are considered to be within the field and scope of the present invention. All references mentioned are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.