University of South Florida

David Fulcher

Daniel H Yeh

Melanie Pickett

Ivy Lea Cormier Drexler

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.

Systems and methods for cultivating algae

In one embodiment, an algae cultivation system includes a photobioreactor adapted for immersion in growth media contained within the growth media reactor, the photobioreactor including 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, a porous membrane filter incorporated into one of the panels that enables water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients contained within the growth media to pass into the interior space but prevents contaminants contained within the growth media from passing into the interior space, and a gas control valve incorporated into one of the panels that when open enables photosynthetic gas produced by algae growth within the container to escape but when closed prevents the photosynthetic gas from escaping so as to build pressure within the container that forces water out from the container and dewaters the algae.

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

David Fulcher