Algae Systems, LLC

Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Miguel Olaizola

Benjamin F Polito

Keith Thomas Richtman

Javier De Luis

Isaac Berzin

Joe Parrish

Fan Chen

Miles Walker

Ben Fowler

Kevin Lockwood

David Fair

Jay McCarren

Graham Peers

Corey Neal Dodge

Systems and methods are provided for using a growth vessel to simulate algae growth and/or productivity in a reference environment, such as an open pond, a closed photobioreactor, or a hybrid system. Based on predicted algae sample trajectories in the reference environment, an illumination profile is developed. An algae sample in the growth vessel can then be exposed to the illumination profile under controlled conditions. Properties of algae in the reference environment can then be characterized based on the sample exposed to the illumination profile.

Method of illuminating algae for algae growth

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to a photobioreactor including photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The photobioreactor units are floated on a body of water such as a pond or a lake. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and/or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, the photobioreactor units are formed of flexible, deformable material and are configured to provide a substantially constant thickness of liquid medium. In certain embodiments, a barrier between the photobioreactor unit and the body of water upon which the unit is floated facilitates thermal communication between the liquid medium and the body of water.

Photobioreactor systems positioned on bodies of water

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Miguel Olaizola