Process to grow and concentrate algae
View Patent ↗A method to grow and concentrate algae by adding a bacterium to an aqueous algal solution. After the bacteria are added, the algae and bacterial precipitate out of solution and produce a viable algal concentration that is 30 to 45 percent algae by wet weight.
1. A method to grow and concentrate algae comprising the steps of
(a) providing a nutritional composition including nutrients for algae;
(b) preparing an aqueous solution of algae by growing algae in water in a first container while exposing said aqueous solution to sunlight and adding said nutritional composition to the water in said first container, said first container having a bottom;
(c) preparing an aqueous solution of algal-agglomeration bacteria by growing bacteria in water in a second container;
(d) admixing said aqueous solution of said algal-agglomeration bacteria to said aqueous solution of algae in said first container to produce an algal-bacterial aqueous solution and continuing to expose said algal-bacterial aqueous solution to sunlight to concentrate algae at said bottom of said first container;
(e) discontinuing the addition to said first container of said nutritional composition; and
(f) concentrating algae from said bottom of said container 24 to 48 hours after said algal-agglomeration bacteria is admixed to said aqueous solution of algae in step (d).