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.

A photobioreactor comprising a sealed, covered plastic sheeting coated with a thin layer of a highly dense culture of photoautotrophic single celled organism. Carbon dioxide is exchanged from a gas space above the culture through attendant mixing by subtending wave motion. The photobioreactor provides a substantial improvement in processing costs in growth media sterilization as well as reduced expenses related to energy and raw materials, especially carbon dioxide. Capital expenses are reduced by eliminating the need for sparging and compressors for suspending cells and mixing carbon dioxide.

Production equipment for production of biological material, comprising a bioreactor 12, 3 for the cultivation and production of unicellular microorganisms and communities of microorganisms as well as multicellular aquatic plant and animal organisms. The bioreactor has at least one space for the proliferation 21 of unicellular microorganisms, communities of microorganisms, multicellular aquatic plants and animals, which space is in communication with a device 23 for cultivating, transporting and harvesting said microorganisms or aquatic organisms, comprising a pipe chain conveyor.

A bioreactor (30) for production and harvesting of microalgae is described, comprising a reactor basin (32) in the form of a tank arranged to receive CO2 and water as well as algae, and which is equipped with at least one outlet for harvesting of algal biomass, where the reactor basin (32) comprises a rotating beam (54) equipped with one or more tillable mixing grates (60) and harvesting grates (62).

Reaction casing (1) for a photosynthetic reactor suitable for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, in particular algae, said reaction casing (1) being designed for both floating on an expanse of water and defining a path for a gas/liquid culture medium to flow in two phases between a first and a second opening (11, 12) of said casing. The casing comprises, on the one hand, an upper membrane (31) and a lower membrane (32) made at least partially of a flexible material, hermetically sealed and transparent to light radiation, said membranes being hermetically connected to one another by connecting lines (41, 42) defining inflatable cells (33, 34) and, on the other hand, connection elbows (35, 36) joining said cells in pairs to define the course of flow in a generally sinuous form, one of the cells (33) being fluidly linked to the first opening and another cell (34) being fluidly linked to the second opening (12). The present invention is applicable in the field of photosynthetic microorganism cultivation, in particular algae cultivation.

A cover for a slurry container is provided. The cover includes a plurality of attachable cover units including a first attachable cover unit and a second attachable cover unit. Each of the attachable cover units has at least one edge with an attachable portion. The first attachable cover unit is attached to the second attachable cover unit at the edge of the first and second attachable cover units having the attachable portion.

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.