A lateral circulator for generating agitation or circulation in a cultivation pond is disclosed. The circulator comprises at least a drive pulley and a secondary pulley, both oriented vertically and placed in the pond separated from one another along the length of the pond. The drive pulley is coupled to a motor, or to a drive train that is itself coupled to the motor. An endless belt is trained over the drive pulley and the secondary pulley. A plurality of cleats is provided along the exterior of the belt. The cleats are typically angled and serve to drive water as the belt rotates through the water. Typically, the belt would extend over much of the length of the cultivation pond, providing agitation and circulation over an extensive, continuous area of the cultivation pond.

Herein disclosed is a method of processing a medium containing algae microorganisms to produce algal oil and by-products, comprising providing the medium containing algae microorganisms; passing the medium through a rotor-stator high shear device; disintegrating cell walls of and intracellular organelles in the algae microorganisms to release algal oil and by-products; and removing the algae medium from an outlet of the high shear device. In an embodiment, disintegration is enhanced by a penetrating gas capable of permeating the cell wall. In an embodiment, enhancement is accomplished by super-saturation of the penetrating gas in the medium or increased gas pressure in a vessel. In an embodiment, the penetrating gas is different from the gas produced by the cell during respiration. A suitable system is also discussed in this disclosure.

A method and apparatus for extracting CO.sub.2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO.sub.2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO.sub.2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO.sub.2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO.sub.2 is fed to an algae culture.

Herein disclosed is a method of processing a medium containing algae microorganisms to produce algal oil and by-products, comprising providing the medium containing algae microorganisms; passing the medium through a rotor-stator high shear device; disintegrating cell walls of and intracellular organelles in the algae microorganisms to release algal oil and by-products; and removing the algae medium from an outlet of the high shear device. In an embodiment, disintegration is enhanced by a penetrating gas capable of permeating the cell wall. In an embodiment, enhancement is accomplished by super-saturation of the penetrating gas in the medium or increased gas pressure in a vessel. In an embodiment, the penetrating gas is different from the gas produced by the cell during respiration. A suitable system is also discussed in this disclosure.

An algae cultivation system includes generating a translating hydraulic jump wave that travels across a gas-liquid interface of an algae cultivation fluid contained in the algae cultivation system. The translating hydraulic jump wave has Froude number greater than 1.

Biodegradation media placed in, around, and/or above a methane source reduces the quantum of methane and other alkane gases such as ethane, propane, and butane released into the atmosphere under diverse and fluctuating environmental conditions over a sustainable and/or extended duration. Non-biodegradable material configured for methane biodegradation possesses enhanced drainage of precipitation, improved gas transmission and gas exchange, moisture retention, and a nutrient sustainability.

A cover for a lagoon is provided. The cover includes an expandable membrane; a plurality of stretchable members coupled to the expandable membrane and configured to compress the expandable membrane; and a plurality of restraining members coupled to the expandable membrane and configured to limit expansion of the expandable membrane.

The invention includes a bioreactor system for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a method for growing a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid and harvesting the photosynthetic culture. The present invention further relates to a use of a harvester system arranged to collect at least part of the scooped photosynthetic culture in a photo bioreactor system.

In an embodiment of the invention, aqueous growth medium in a pond can be used to grow algae which can be pumped to a primary dewatering device where the algae can be separated from the harvested growth media based on the flow of the harvested growth media and gravity. The flow through the primary de-watering device can be optimized to maintain log phase growth in the pond, while minimizing the pumping cost and maximizing the concentration of total solids in the primary de-watered algae.

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus (100) for mixing multiphase flowing particles. The apparatus (100) comprises a conduit (100a) adapted to channelize the multiphase flowing particles. At least one flow diverter (101) is positioned in the conduit (100a), which is adapted to divert the flow of multiphase flowing particles into a plurality of flow streams. Further, at least one flow element (102) is disposed in the conduit (100a) along at least one of the plurality of flow streams, which is configured to inject fluid onto the plurality of flow streams at a velocity greater than the velocity of the plurality of flow streams. This induces a swirling flow of at least one of the plurality of flow streams, thereby facilitating mixing of the multiphase flowing particles in the conduit (100a).