The present disclosure teaches an algal growth system. The algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material, a liquid reservoir, a mechanism to rotate the flexible sheet material, a resource reclamation device, and an enclosure. The flexible sheet material facilitates growth of a biofilm. The liquid reservoir is configured to retain a contacting liquid in contact with the flexible sheet material and the mechanism rotates the flexible sheet material through the contacting liquid. The resource reclamation device associated with the enclosure is configured to collect and provide a resource for reuse.
The present disclosure teaches an algal growth system. The algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material, a liquid reservoir, a mechanism to rotate the flexible sheet material, a resource reclamation device, and an enclosure. The flexible sheet material facilitates growth of a biofilm. The liquid reservoir is configured to retain a contacting liquid in contact with the flexible sheet material and the mechanism rotates the flexible sheet material through the contacting liquid. The resource reclamation device associated with the enclosure is configured to collect and provide a resource for reuse.
The present disclosure teaches an algal growth system. The algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material, a liquid reservoir, a mechanism to rotate the flexible sheet material, a resource reclamation device, and an enclosure. The flexible sheet material facilitates growth of a biofilm. The liquid reservoir is configured to retain a contacting liquid in contact with the flexible sheet material and the mechanism rotates the flexible sheet material through the contacting liquid. The resource reclamation device associated with the enclosure is configured to collect and provide a resource for reuse.
A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.
A method of treating microbial biomass (100) includes mixing the microbial biomass in a liquid to form a suspension (108), the microbial biomass having an initial color, and exposing the suspension to light (110) to form treated microbial biomass, the treated microbial biomass having a treated color. The treated color is lighter than the initial color. The microbial biomass can also have an initial taste and odor that are stronger than a treated taste and odor of the treated microbial biomass.
A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant. Exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir or the second fluid may change a growth rate of the algae.
A method of exposing microorganisms to a condition wherein the condition facilitates or inhibits growth of a specific species of microorganisms or a specific consortium of microorganisms. The condition may also stimulate microorganisms to uptake a pollutant from a fluid and/or release the pollutant. Furthermore, the microorganisms may also be harvested and used as a foodstuff for human and animal consumption.
A method of using algae to remove a contaminant or pollutant from a first fluid is provided. The method can include providing a growing apparatus having a first reservoir containing the first fluid and a second reservoir containing a second fluid, and growing the algae using the growing apparatus. The method can further include exposing the algae to the first fluid within the first reservoir where the algae uptakes the contaminant or pollutant from the first fluid, and exposing the algae via a belt to the second fluid in the second reservoir where the algae is stimulated to release the contaminant or pollutant.
Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. (USA)
Inventor
Gross, Martin Anthony
Wen, Zhiyou
Abstract
A belt for an algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material configured to facilitate growth of a biofilm. The flexible sheet material is mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material being in contact with a contacting liquid.
A recirculating aquaculture system comprising a microorganism growing apparatus and a method of using microorganisms to remove a pollutant from a fluid utilized in a recirculating aquaculture system. Furthermore, the microorganisms are harvested and used as a foodstuff fertilizer, biofuels, and bioplastics.
An algal growth system includes a first flexible sheet material mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the first flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry. The algal growth system also includes a first drive shaft coupled with the first frame, an actuator system coupled with the first drive shaft, a motor coupled with the actuator system. The motor actuates the actuator system and the first drive shaft such that the first flexible sheet material is actuated. The algal growth system also includes a liquid source consisting of a dripper or a mister. The liquid source is configured to direct a contacting liquid to the first flexible sheet material.
A method of using microorganisms to remove a pollutant from a fluid by exposing microorganisms to a fluid containing a pollutant, the microorganisms uptake the pollutant, then the microorganisms are exposed to a condition in order to stimulate the microorganisms to release the pollutant. Furthermore, the microorganisms are harvested and used as a foodstuff for human and animal consumption.
Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. (USA)
Inventor
Gross, Martin Anthony
Wen, Zhiyou
Abstract
An algal growth system includes a first flexible sheet material mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry having a first height and a first width, the first height being greater than the first width, and a second flexible sheet material mounted on a second frame in a second mounted geometry having a second height and a second width, the second height being greater than the second width. The first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet material are noncontiguous. The algal growth system also includes a motor, the motor being coupled with an actuator system, where the motor actuates the actuator system, and a reservoir.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Gross, Martin Anthony
Wen, Zhiyou
Abstract
An algal growth system can include a frame and a flexible sheet material that can have a substantially vertical orientation, where the flexible sheet material can be configured to facilitate the growth and attachment of algae, where the flexible sheet material can be supported by the frame. The algal growth system can include a first drive shaft, where the first drive shaft can be coupled with the frame, where the first drive shaft can support and actuate the flexible sheet material, a gear system, where the gear system can be coupled with the first drive shaft, a first roller, where the first roller can be coupled with the frame and can be configured to guide the flexible sheet material, and a drive motor, where the drive motor can be coupled with the gear system, where the drive motor can actuate the gear system and the at least one drive shaft such that the flexible sheet material can be actuated.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. (USA)
Inventor
Wen, Zhiyou
Gross, Martin Anthony
Abstract
An algal growth system including a first flexible sheet material mounted in a first mounted geometry such that the height is greater than the width of the first mounted geometry, and a second flexible sheet material mounted in a second mounted geometry such that the height is greater than the width of the second mounted geometry, the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet material being noncontiguous, a motor, the motor being coupled with an actuator system, where the motor actuates the actuator system, and a reservoir.
Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. (USA)
Inventor
Gross, Martin Anthony
Wen, Zhiyou
Abstract
An algal growth system can include a frame and a flexible sheet material that can have a substantially vertical orientation, where the flexible sheet material can facilitate the growth and attachment of algae, where the flexible sheet material can be supported by the frame.
