REVOLVING ALGAL BIOFILM PHOTOBIOREACTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS

1 . An algal growth system comprising:

(a) a flexible sheet material, the flexible sheet material being configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae;

(b) a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are associated with and support the flexible sheet material;

(c) a gear system, wherein the gear system is coupled with the plurality of shafts;

(d) a drive motor, the drive motor being coupled with the gear system, wherein the drive motor actuates the gear system and the plurality of shafts such that the flexible sheet material is actuated;

(e) a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system harvesting system;

(f) a contacting liquid, wherein the contacting liquid is retained within the fluid reservoir and includes nutrients that facilitate the growth of the algae; and

(g) a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, wherein the liquid phase comprises rotating the flexible sheet material through the contacting liquid retained in the fluid reservoir and the gaseous phase comprises rotating the flexible sheet material through gaseous carbon dioxide.

2 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , further comprising a harvesting mechanism.

3 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the harvesting mechanism is a squeegee.

4 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet material is selected from the group consisting of cheesecloth, fiberglass, porous PTFE coated fiberglass, chamois, vermiculite, microfiber, synthetic chamois, burlap, cotton duct, velvet, poly-lactic acid, abrased poly-lactic acid, vinyl laminated nylon, polyester, wool, acrylic, lanolin, woolen, cashmere, leather, silk, lyocell, hemp fabric, polyurethane, olefin fibre, polylactide, and carbon fiber.

5 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of Nannochloropsis, Scenedesmus, Haematococcus, Botryococcus, Spirulina, Dunaliella, Arthrospira, Porphyridium, Phaeodactylum, Nitzschia, Crypthecodinium and Schizochytrium.

6 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the algal growth system has a substantially triangular configuration having a lower corner, a first upper corner, and a second upper corner.

7 . The algal growth system of claim 6 , wherein the lower corner of the algal growth system is positioned within the fluid reservoir.

8 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , further comprising an enclosed greenhouse.

9 . The algal growth system of claim 8 , wherein the enclosed greenhouse has a higher carbon dioxide concentration than the atmosphere.

10 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the drive motor is configured to rotate the flexible sheet material on a predetermined schedule.

11 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet material is a biofilm.

12 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to grow and retain the algae until the algae is physically removed.

13 . The algal growth system of claim 1 , wherein the algal growth system is configured for industrial use.

14 . A method of growing algae comprising the steps of:

providing an algal growth system comprising;

(a) a flexible sheet material, the flexible sheet material being configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae;

(b) a plurality of shafts, wherein the plurality of shafts are associated with and support the flexible sheet material;

(c) a gear system, wherein the gear system is coupled with the plurality of shafts;

(d) a drive motor, the drive motor being coupled with the gear system, wherein the drive motor actuates the gear system and the plurality of shafts such that the flexible sheet material is substantially rotated;

(e) a fluid reservoir, wherein the flexible sheet material is configured to pass through the fluid reservoir during operation of the algal growth system; and

(f) a contacting liquid, wherein the contacting liquid is retained within the fluid reservoir and includes nutrients that facilitate the growth of the algae

rotating the flexible sheet material of the algal growth system through a liquid phase such that the flexible sheet material passes through the contacting liquid retained in the fluid reservoir;

rotating the flexible sheet material of the algal growth system through a gaseous phase such that the flexible sheet material passes through gaseous carbon dioxide; and

harvesting the algae from the flexible sheet material.

15 . The method of growing algae of claim 14 , wherein the algal growth system further comprises an enclosed greenhouse.

16 . The method of growing algae of claim 14 , wherein the algal growth system has a substantially triangular configuration.

17 . The method of growing algae of claim 14 , wherein the algae is selected from the group consisting of Nannochloropsis, Scenedesmus, Haematococcus, Botryococcus, Spirulina, Dunaliella, Arthrospira, Porphyridium, Phaeodactylum, Nitzschia, Crypthecodinium and Schizochytrium.

18 . The method of growing algae of claim 14 , wherein the flexible sheet material is selected from the group consisting of cheesecloth, fiberglass, porous PTFE coated fiberglass, chamois, vermiculite, microfiber, synthetic chamois, burlap, cotton duct, velvet, poly-lactic acid, abrased poly-lactic acid, vinyl laminated nylon, polyester, wool, acrylic, lanolin, woolen, cashmere, leather, silk, lyocell, hemp fabric, polyurethane, olefin fibre, polylactide, and carbon fiber.

19 . The method of growing algae of claim 14 , wherein the algal growth system is configured for industrial use.

20 . The method of growing algae of claim 14 , further comprising the step of rotating the algal growth system according to a predetermined schedule.