A floatable composition comprising obligate photoautotrophic microalgae and a floating element is provided. Also provided is a compartmentalized composition comprising at least two compartments wherein a first compartment of the at least two compartments comprises an obligate photoautotrophic microalgae and a second compartment of the at least two compartments comprises an obligate heterotrophic or mixotrophic microalgae, the compartments are designed of a structure and/or composition ensuring symbiosis between the obligate photoautotrophic microalgae and the obligate heterotrophic or mixotrophic microalgae.

This invention relates to a floating horizontal tubular photobioreactor system comprising a photosynthetically active area made of flexible tubes connected to rigid manifolds with an integrated system for mixing, aeration and degassing. This invention further relates to methods of using the floating photobioreactor system.

The invention relates to a method for the simultaneous heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae, to a system for the simultaneous heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae and to the use of the method and/or the system for the cultivation of microalgae.

Disclosed is a photosynthetic culture production device including at least one photo-bioreactor chamber having a supply/discharge unit, and including: an aqueous liquid containing a photosynthetic culture; at least one unit for supplying and discharging fluids from the chamber interacting with a management system; at least one light distributor including at least one first wall arranged so as to receive the light at a proximal end, at least one second wall arranged so as to emit at least part of the received light, and a sealed cavity defined by the at least one first wall and the at least one second wall, part of the emitting wall being immersed in the aqueous liquid containing the photosynthetic culture; at least one fluid partially filling the sealed cavity; and a cover, limiting evaporation. The cover has at least one opening, keeping the at least one light distributor stationary in the chamber.

In one embodiment, an algae cultivation system includes a basin that contains a liquid and a photobioreactor at least partially immersed in the liquid of the basin, the photobioreactor comprising a closed container including multiple panels that together define an interior space in which algae can be cultivated, at least one of the panels being transparent, the photobioreactor further comprising an inflatable float associated with the container that can be filled with a gas to change one or both of the position and orientation of the container within the liquid.

Certain embodiments and aspects relate to a photobioreactor including encapsulating photobioreactor units (EPU) within which a liquid medium and a gas are encapsulated. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic or mixotrophic organism therein. The gas comprises a high concentration of carbon dioxide. Certain methods of using the EPUs for algal biomass production use automated function units.

Disclosed is a device for exposing an algal solution to light, for a photobioreactor, this exposure device including a flat support including at least one opening capable of holding at least one shaft, the shaft being made of a liquid-tight, translucent or even transparent flexible material, and including an open end capable of holding a sleeve, the sleeve being translucent, or even transparent, and arranged to seal and attach the shaft to the support. The exposure device has positive floatability in water. Also disclosed is a photobioreactor equipped with such a device and a start-up method for such a photobioreactor.

A bioreactor interface plate assembly for attachment to a bioreactor container holding a cell suspension. The bioreactor interface plate assembly comprising a bioreactor interface plate and a filter. The bioreactor interface plate including a port formed therein for egress of fluid from the bioreactor container. The filter attached to the bioreactor interface plate in fluid communication with the port, the filter positioned to be located within an internal volume of the bioreactor container while the bioreactor container is connected to the bioreactor interface plate. The filter configured to retain cells from the cell suspension in the internal volume when the fluid egresses from the bioreactor container via the port.

Certain embodiments and aspects relate to a photobioreactor including encapsulating photobioreactor units (EPU) within which a liquid medium and a gas are encapsulated. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic or mixotrophic organism therein. The gas comprises a high concentration of carbon dioxide. Certain methods of using the EPUs for algal biomass production use automated function units.

A pneumatic bioreactor includes a vessel containing a fluid to be mixed and at least one mixing device driven by gas pressure. A first embodiment includes a floating impeller that rises and falls in the fluid as gas bubbles carry it upward to the surface where the gas is then vented, permitting the impeller to sink in the fluid. The floating impeller may be tethered to a second impeller with a flexible member and pulley. The mixing speed is controlled with electromagnets in the vessel acting upon magnetic material in the impeller or its guides. In another embodiment, floating pistons mix the fluid, pushing it through a mixing plate with one or more apertures. In a third embodiment, the mixing device is a rotating drum with bubble-catching blades and rotating mixing plates with apertures. The top of the vessel for these mixers may include a closed top and sterile filters.