Method and system for robotic algae harvest
A Robotic Algae Harvester (RAH) of the present invention works by providing a CO 2 collection mechanism that is installed in power plants or vehicles. These systems are available using current technology and have been proven to be scalable. CO 2 is then transported to RAH using ships. The RAH will feed and re-circulate algae broth through the photobioreactors (PBRs). The PBRs float in the ocean while the algae through photosynthesis will transform the CO 2 into biomass in a continuous process. The extracted algae will processed into a stable mix of oil and bi-product and transferred to the ship that brought the CO 2 . The algae is then processed onshore in some of the following manners: converted to biodiesel via transesterification; converted to bio-ethanol via fermentation; burned for electricity generation; and/or used as protein for animal feed or food products.
1 . A method for robotic algae harvest comprising the steps of:
transporting collected carbon dioxide to an algae broth location;
said algae broth location being an ocean going platform;
continuously feeding and re-circulating the algae broth through a plurality of photobioreactors;
suspending said photobioreactors and the algae broth in the ocean;
transforming the CO 2 into biomass in a continuous process of photosynthesis;
extracting algae; and
transferring and preprocessing said extracted algae into a stable mix of oil and one or more bi-products.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of collecting carbon dioxide to be transported to an algae broth location.
3 . The method of claim 2 where, carbon dioxide is collect via a collection means installed on a power plant or heating source.
4 . The method of claim 2 where, carbon dioxide is collected via a collection means installed on a motorized means for transportation.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
transporting the extracted algae to an onshore location;
processed the extracted algae onshore
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the extracted algae is processed into biodiesel via a transesterification process.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the extracted algae is converted to bio-ethanol via a fermentation process.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the extracted algae is burned for electricity generation or as a direct fuel source.
9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the extracted algae is used as protein for feed or dietary complement.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
autonomously controlling the location of a platform moving it to zones with high photosynthetically active radiation; and
submerging the photobioreactors in cases where the weather or sea conditions could damage the system.
11 . A system for robotic algae harvest consisting of:
a set of floating interconnecting photobioreactors creating a platform;
processing and control modules; and
loading and unloading stations.
12 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising;
means for using the energy generated by wave, wind, or solar energy to move the platform to zones with high photosynthetically active radiation; and
means for using the energy generated by wave, wind, or solar energy to optimize photosynthetically active radiation; and
means for using the energy generated by the waves to provide algae broth pumping to minimize photo-saturation, de-oxygenation, pipe cleaning and the power needs of the system.
13 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising;
means for using the amount of CO 2 or air mixture available in the system to change the buoyancy of the platform and photobioreactors.
14 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising;
means for circulating water through the photobioreactors to prevent photosaturation, to enrich the broth with CO 2 , to reduce the amount of oxygen and to clean the surfaces.
15 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a conventional pump to pump the algae broth.
16 . The system of claim 11 , providing means for oceans waves to directly pump the algal broth;
17 . The system of claim 11 , providing means for utilizing recaptured carbon dioxide to feed the algae at a rate that can keep up with its growth.
18 . The system of claim 11 , further comprised of triangular shaped photobioreactors organized into hexagons.
19 . The system of claim 18 wherein, each triangle shaped photobioreactor is comprised of water inflatable tubes in its periphery for compression support.
20 . The system of claim 19 wherein, the water inflatable tubes include a tensioned wire frame core for rigidity and to hold algae tubing;
21 . The system of claim 20 wherein, the each triangle shaped photobioreactor includes air pockets to provide buoyancy control.