The disclosed technology, in some embodiments, relates to the field of photobioreactors and more particularly, to photobioreactors having improved internal illumination capabilities.

Containment and facility systems for offshore porous floating bioreactors that contain algae water slurries in saltwater environments. A containment system may include a containment boom system, a containment silt curtain system, a containment marineworks system, or a combination thereof. Facility systems include an offshore porous floating bioreactor in fluid communication with at least an onshore algae harvesting system. Algae cultivation may occur at an onshore algae cultivation system or within a porous floating bioreactor, and algae lipid production occurs within a porous floating bioreactor. The lipid induced algae is received by the onshore algae harvesting system for further processing.

A photobioreactor for cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism and associated systems/methods are disclosed herewith. The photobioreactor includes (1) a substantially spherical vessel having a wall defining an interior vessel volume; (2) a water-submersible system for converting electrical energy into electromagnetic radiation; (3) a temperature management system for circulating heat dispersal fluid into and out of the water-submersible system; and (4) a photobioreactor control system comprising a processor and a controller.

A method of cultivating algal cells of an algae belonging to a class selected from Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Haptophyceae includes: irradiating the algal cells with an artificial light having a ratio of (i) photon flux density in a wavelength range of 520-630 nm to (ii) photosynthetic photon flux density, that is 65% or more; and measuring a cell size of the algal cells. Irradiation and non-irradiation of the algal cells with the artificial light are switched, or the photon flux density in the wavelength range of 520-630 nm is changed, according to the measured cell size.

This invention is a system for the production of biomass from photosynthesizing microorganisms that includes a photobioreactor comprising a transparent panel made from two transparent sheets with a separation between them, with top and bottom openings and with transparent, parallel subdivisions that form a panel of vertically arranged, transparent cells, where each transparent cell has a top opening and a bottom opening; a lower recirculation chamber in fluid contact with the bottom openings of the transparent panel; an upper recirculation chamber in fluid contact with the top openings of the transparent panel; a gas distribution tube externally arranged along the edge of said transparent panel; where said gas distribution tube comprises gas injectors arranged in fluid contact with the interior of a plurality of transparent cells; and a supporting structure that supports the transparent panel, the lower recirculation chamber, the upper recirculation chamber and the air distribution tube.

According to present disclosure, there is disclosed an algae growth and cultivation system that provides a cost-efficient means of producing algae biomass as feedstock for algae-based products, such as, fertilizer, feed, biofuel manufacture, and desirably impacts, nutrient recovery from waste streams for valued byproducts production, recycle water, and alternative/renewable energy production. The system as discussed herein is an integrated systems approach to wastewater treatment, algal strains selection for byproducts production, and recycle of algal biomass-processing waste or additional algae harvested as feedstock for products such as fertilizer production. Embodiments of a system as discussed herein present an economically viable algae production system and process that allows algae-derived products such as fertilizer, feed, biofuels, etc. to compete with non-organic or petroleum products in the marketplace.

A new pumpless internal circulation photobioreactor for hydrogen production, including: an outer reaction barrel and an inner reaction barrel made of transparent materials, a gas collecting device, and an air duct arranged between the inner reaction barrel and the outer reaction barrel. An outer ring-shaped reaction chamber is formed between the inner reaction barrel and the outer reaction barrel. Liquid permeation holes and air holes are arranged on the inner reaction barrel. The gas collecting device is communicated with the outer ring-shaped reaction chamber. The air duct is communicated with the interior of the inner reaction barrel and the outer ring-shaped reaction chamber. The present invention has a simple and compact structure and is easy to operate, and gas produced by the reactor can be re-introduced into the reaction solution to provide aerodynamic power for stirring the reaction solution, which realizes low energy consumption and high-efficiency hydrogen production.

A closed tubular bioreactor with clear corrugated or noncircular tubes having a constant cross-sectional area over their length, resulting in increased production.

A method for increasing the fertility of soil for agricultural crop production by producing a biofertilizer containing one or more selected strains of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria that are compatible with the type of soil and environmental conditions where the biofertilizer is to be applied and rhizobacteria, and applying the biofertilizer to such soil at a rate that is sufficient to accelerate the fertilization performance of the soil for the growth of agricultural products, and to increase the net terrestrial sequestration of CO2.

Photobioreactor devices and units for the production of biomass and remediation of environmental contamination are provided. The bioreactor devices comprise a membrane photobioreactor (PBR), the PBR comprising a liquid medium, at least one photosynthetic microorganism, and at least one outer membrane layer, wherein the membrane layer is comprised of a material that is permeable to gas transfer across the membrane layer; and further comprise a chamber defining a gaseous atmosphere enclosed within, wherein the PBR is located inside the chamber. The devices also comprise a control system which controls the composition of the atmosphere within the chamber. Gas transfer occurs across the membrane layer of the PBR, between the PBR and the atmosphere comprised within the chamber. Systems comprising the devices are provided as well as methods of using the devices for the production of biomass, remediation of wastewater and removal of atmospheric pollutants.