Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DILUTING EXHAUST GAS BEING SUPPLIED TO BIOREACTOR
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a process for growing
biomass.
BACKGROUND
100021 The cultivation of phototrophic organisms has been widely
practised for
purposes of producing a fuel source. Exhaust gases from industrial processes
have also
been used to promote the growth of phototrophic organisms by supplying carbon
dioxide
for consumption by phototrophic organisms during photosynthesis. By providing
exhaust
gases for such purpose, environmental impact is reduced and, in parallel a
potentially
useful fuel source is produced. Challenges remain, however, to render this
approach
more economically attractive for incorporation within existing facilities.
SUMMARY
10003] In one aspect, there is provided a process of growing a
phototrophic biomass
in a reaction zone. The reaction zone includes a reaction mixture that is
operative for
effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically active light
radiation. The
reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is operative for growth
within the
reaction zone. The growth of the phototrophic biomass includes that which is
effected by
the photosynthesis. The process includes, while a reaction zone feed material
is supplied
to the reaction zone, supplying the reaction zone feed material with a
supplemental
gaseous dilution agent, wherein the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of
the
supplemental gaseous dilution agent is less than the molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply which is being
supplied to
the reaction zone feed material.
100041 In another aspect, there is provided a process of growing a
phototrophic
biomass in a reaction zone. The reaction zone includes a reaction mixture that
is
operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically
active light
radiation. The reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass that is
operative for
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growth within the reaction zone. The growth of the phototrophic biomass
includes that
which is effected by the photosynthesis. The process includes, while a carbon
dioxide
concentrated supply is being supplied, admixing the carbon dioxide
concentrated supply
with a supplemental gaseous dilution agent to effect production of a diluted
carbon
dioxide supply, wherein the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
diluted carbon
dioxide supply is less than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
carbon
dioxide concentrated supply, and supplying at least a fraction of the diluted
carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply to the reaction zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The process of the preferred embodiments of the invention will now
be
described with the following accompanying drawing:
[0006] Figure 1 is a process flow diagram of an embodiment of the process;
[0007] Figure 2 is a process flow diagram of another embodiment of the
process;
and
[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a fluid passage
of an
embodiment of the process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Reference throughout the specification to "some embodiments" means
that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
some
embodiments are not necessarily referring to the same embodiments.
Furthermore, the
particular features, structure, or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner
with one another.
[0010] Referring to Figure 1, there is provided a process of growing a
phototrophic
biomass in a reaction zone 10. The reaction zone 10 includes a reaction
mixture that is
operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to photosynthetically
active light
radiation. The reaction mixture includes phototrophic biomass material, carbon
dioxide,
and water. In some embodiments, the reaction zone includes phototrophic
biomass and
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carbon dioxide disposed in an aqueous medium. Within the reaction zone, the
phototrophic biomass is disposed in mass transfer communication with both of
carbon
dioxide and water. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction mixture
includes
phototrophic biomass disposed in an aqueous medium, and carbon dioxide-
enriched
phototrophic biomass is provided upon the receiving of carbon dioxide by the
phototrophic biomass.
[00111
"Phototrophic organism" is an organism capable of phototrophic growth in
the aqueous medium upon receiving light energy, such as plant cells and micro-
organisms. The phototrophic organism is unicellular or multicellular. In some
embodiments, for example, the phototrophic organism is an organism which has
been
modified artificially or by gene manipulation. In some embodiments, for
example, the
phototrophic organism is an algae. In some embodiments, for example, the algae
is
microalgae.
[0012]
"Phototrophic biomass" is at least one phototrophic organism. In some
embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass includes more than one
species of
phototrophic organisms.
[0013] "Reaction
zone 10" defines a space within which the growing of the
phototrophic biomass is effected. In some embodiments, for example, the
reaction zone
is provided in a photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments, for example,
pressure
within the reaction zone is atmospheric pressure.
[0014]
"Photobioreactor 12" is any structure, arrangement, land formation or area
that provides a suitable environment for the growth of phototrophic biomass.
Examples
of specific structures which can be used is a photobioreactor 12 by providing
space for
growth of phototrophic biomass using light energy include, without limitation,
tanks,
ponds, troughs, ditches, pools, pipes, tubes, canals, and channels. Such
photobioreactors
may be either open, closed, partially closed, covered, or partially covered.
In some
embodiments, for example, the photobioreactor 12 is a pond, and the pond is
open, in
which case the pond is susceptible to uncontrolled receiving of materials and
light energy
from the immediate environments. In other
embodiments, for example, the
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photobioreactor 12 is a covered pond or a partially covered pond, in which
case the
receiving of materials from the immediate environment is at least partially
interfered
with. The photobioreactor 12 includes the reaction zone 10 which includes the
reaction
mixture. In some embodiments, the photobioreactor 12 is configured to receive
a supply
of phototrophic reagents (and, in some of these embodiments, optionally,
supplemental
nutrients), and is also configured to effect discharge of phototrophic biomass
which is
grown within the reaction zone 10. In this respect, in some embodiments, the
photobioreactor 12 includes one or more inlets for receiving the supply of
phototrophic
reagents and supplemental nutrients, and also includes one or more outlets for
effecting
the recovery or harvesting of biomass which is gown within the reaction zone
10. In
some embodiments, for example, one or more of the inlets are configured to be
temporarily sealed for periodic or intermittent time intervals. In some
embodiments, for
example, one or more of the outlets are configured to be temporarily sealed or
substantially sealed for periodic or intermittent time intervals. The
photobioreactor 12 is
configured to contain the reaction mixture which is operative for effecting
photosynthesis
upon exposure to photosynthetically active light radiation. The
photobioreactor 12 is
also configured so as to establish photosynthetically active light radiation
(for example, a
light of a wavelength between about 400-700 nm, which can be emitted by the
sun or
another light source) within the photobioreactor 12 for exposing the
phototrophic
biomass. The exposing of the reaction mixture to the photosynthetically active
light
radiation effects photosynthesis and growth of the phototrophic biomass. In
some
embodiments, for example, the established light radiation is provided by an
artificial light
source 14 disposed within the photobioreactor 12. For example, suitable
artificial lights
sources include submersible fiber optics or light guides, light-emitting
diodes ("LEDs"),
LED strips and fluorescent lights. Any LED strips known in the art can be
adapted for
use in the photobioreactor 12. In the case of the submersible LEDs, in some
embodiments, for example, energy sources include alternative energy sources,
such as
wind, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, etc. to supply electricity to the LEDs.
Fluorescent
lights, external or internal to the photobiorcactor 12, can be used as a back-
up system. In
some embodiments, for example, the established light is derived from a natural
light
source 16 which has been transmitted from externally of the photobioreactor 12
and
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through a transmission component. In some embodiments, for example, the
transmission
component is a portion of a containment structure of the photobioreactor 12
which is at
least partially transparent to the photosynthetically active light radiation,
and which is
configured to provide for transmission of such light to the reaction zone 10
for receiving
by the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, natural light
is received
by a solar collector, filtered with selective wavelength filters, and then
transmitted to the
reaction zone 10 with fiber optic material or with a light guide. In some
embodiments,
for example, both natural and artificial lights sources are provided for
effecting
establishment of the photosyntetically active light radiation within the
photobioreactor
12.
[0015]
"Aqueous medium" is an environment that includes water. In some
embodiments, for example, the aqueous medium also includes sufficient
nutrients to
facilitate viability and growth of the phototrophic biomass. In some
embodiments, for
example, supplemental nutrients may be included such as one of, or both of,
NOx and
SOx.. Suitable aqueous media are discussed in detail in: Rogers, L. J. and
Gallon J. R.
"Biochemistry of the Algae and Cyanobacteria," Clarendon Press Oxford, 1988;
Burlew,
John S. "Algal Culture: From Laboratory to Pilot Plant." Carnegie Institution
of
Washington Publication 600. Washington, D.C., 1961 (hereinafter "Burlew
1961"); and
Round, F. E. The Biology of the Algae. St Martin's Press, New York, 1965. A
suitable
supplemental nutrient composition, known as 'Bold's Basal Medium", is
described in Bold,
H.C. 1949, The morphology of Chlamydomonas chlamydogama sp. nov. Bull. Torrey
Bot.
Club. 76: 1018 (see also Bischoff, H.W. and Bold, H.C. 1963. Phycological
Studies N.
Some soil algae from Enchanted Rock and related algal species, Univ. Texas
Publ. 6318: 1-
95, and Stein, J. (ED.) Handbook of Phycological Methods, Culture methods and
growth
measurements, Cambridge University Press, pp. 7-24).
[0016]
"Modulating", with respect to a process variable, such as an input or an
output, means any one of initiating, terminating, increasing, decreasing, or
otherwise changing
the process parameter, such as that of an input or an output.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-02-01
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100171 In some embodiments, the process includes supplying the reaction
zone 10
with carbon dioxide. In some of these embodiments, for example, the carbon
dioxide
supplied to the reaction zone 10 is derived from a gaseous exhaust material 18
which
includes carbon dioxide. In this respect, in some embodiments, the carbon
dioxide is
supplied by a gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and the supplying
is,
therefore, effected from the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by a
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20. In some embodiments, for example, at
least a
fraction of the carbon dioxide being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least
a fraction of
the discharged carbon dioxide which is being supplied to the reaction zone 10
defines a
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply. In some embodiments, for
example, at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20 is supplied to the reaction zone 10,
wherein the at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 which is being supplied to
the reaction
zone 10 defines gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, such that
the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply is supplied to the reaction
zone 10 as a
portion of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 (along with
other non-
carbon dioxide materials deriving from the gaseous exhaust material 18). In
some of
these embodiments, for example, the exposing of the phototrophic biomass
disposed in
the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically active light radiation is effected
while the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is being supplied to the
reaction zone
10.
[0018] In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous exhaust material 18
includes
a carbon dioxide concentration of at least 2 volume % based on the total
volume of the
gaseous exhaust material 18. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example, the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 includes a carbon dioxide
concentration
of at least 2 volume % based on the total volume of the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous exhaust material
18
includes a carbon dioxide concentration of at least 4 volume % based on the
total volume
of the gaseous exhaust material 18. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example,
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 includes a carbon dioxide
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concentration of at least 4 volume % based on the total volume of the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24. In some embodiments, for example, the
gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 also includes one of, or both of, NO
and SON.
[0019] In some embodiments, for example, the at least a fraction of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 has been treated
prior to being
supplied to the reaction zone 10 so as to effect removal of undesirable
components of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 such that the material composition of the at least
a fraction
of the gaseous material 18 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is different
relative to
the material composition of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged
from the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20.
[0020] The gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 includes any
process
which effects production and discharge of the gaseous exhaust material 18. In
some
embodiments, for example, at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material
18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 is supplied to
the
reaction zone 10. The at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18,
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and supplied
to the
reaction zone 10, includes carbon dioxide derived from the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is a combustion process. In some embodiments, for
example, the
combustion process is effected in a combustion facility. In some of these
embodiments,
for example, the combustion process effects combustion of a fossil fuel, such
as coal, oil,
or natural gas. For example, the combustion facility is any one of a fossil
fuel-fired
power plant, an industrial incineration facility, an industrial furnace, an
industrial heater,
or an internal combustion engine. In some embodiments, for example, the
combustion
facility is a cement kiln.
[0021] Reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10
such that
carbon dioxide of the reaction zone feed material 22 is received within the
reaction zone
10. At least a fraction of the carbon dioxide of the reaction zone feed
material 22 is
derived from the gaseous exhaust material 18. During at least some periods of
operation
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of the process, at least a fraction of the reaction zone feed material 22 is
supplied by the
gaseous exhaust material 18 which is discharged from the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20. As discussed above, any of the gaseous exhaust material
18 that is
supplied to the reaction zone 10 is supplied as a gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24. In some of
these embodiments, for example, the exposing of the
phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically
active light
radiation is effected while the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24 is being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. It is understood that, in some embodiments,
not the
entirety of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is necessarily supplied to the
reaction zone 10
as the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, such that the
reaction zone feed
material 22 includes the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24. It
is also
understood that, in some embodiments, the gaseous exhaust material 18, or at
least a
fraction thereof, is not necessarily supplied to the reaction zone 10 as the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 for the entire time period during which the
process is
operational. The gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 includes
carbon
dioxide. In some of these embodiments, for example, the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24 is at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material
18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In some
cases, the
entirety of the gaseous exhaust material 18 discharged by the gaseous exhaust
producing
process 20 is supplied to the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24.
100221 With
respect to the reaction zone feed material 22, the reaction zone feed
material 22 is a fluid. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone
feed material
22 is a gaseous material. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone
feed
material 22 includes gaseous material disposed in liquid material. In some
embodiments,
for example, the liquid material is an aqueous material. In some of these
embodiments,
for example, at least a fraction of the gaseous material is dissolved in the
liquid material.
In some of these embodiments, for example, at least a fraction of the gaseous
material is
disposed as a gas dispersion in the liquid material. In some of these
embodiments, for
example, and during at least some periods of operation of the process, the
gaseous
material of the reaction zone feed material 22 includes carbon dioxide
supplied by the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24. In some of these
embodiments, for
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example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the reaction zone
10 as a flow.
In some embodiments, for example, a flow of reaction zone feed material 22
includes a
flow of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone feed material supply 24. In
some
embodiments, for example, a flow of reaction zone feed material 22 is a flow
of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone feed material supply 24.
[0023] In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22
is
supplied to the reaction zone 10 as one or more reaction zone feed material
flows. For
example, each of the one or more reaction zone feed material flows is flowed
through a
respective reaction zone feed material fluid passage. In some of those
embodiments
where there are more than one reaction zone feed material flow, the material
composition
varies between the reaction zone feed material flows.
[0024] In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22
is
cooled prior to supply to the reaction zone 10 so that the temperature of the
reaction zone
feed material 22 aligns with a suitable temperature at which the phototrophic
biomass can
grow In some embodiments, for example, the gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone material 22 is disposed at a
temperature of
between 110 degrees Celsius and 150 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, for
example, the temperature of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24 is
about 132 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the temperature at which the
gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is disposed is much higher than this,
and, in
some embodiments, such as the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
from a
steel mill, the temperature is over 500 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments,
for
example, the reaction zone feed material 22, which includes the gaseous
exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24, is cooled to between 20 degrees Celsius and 50
degrees Celsius
(for example, about 30 degrees Celsius). In some embodiments, the reaction
zone feed
material 22 is defined by the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24.
Supplying the reaction zone feed material 22 at higher temperatures could
hinder growth,
or even kill, the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10. In some of
these
embodiments, in effecting the cooling of the reaction zone feed material 22,
at least a
fraction of any water vapour of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24 is
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condensed in a heat exchanger 26 (such as a condenser) and separated from the
reaction
zone feed material 22 as an aqueous material 70. In some embodiments, the
resulting
aqueous material 70 is supplied to a container 28 (described below) where it
provides
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 for supply to the reaction zone 10. In
some
embodiments, the condensing effects heat transfer from the reaction zone feed
material
22 to a heat transfer medium 30, thereby raising the temperature of the heat
transfer
medium 30 to produce a heated heat transfer medium 30, and the heated heat
transfer
medium 30 is then supplied (for example, flowed) to a dryer 32 (discussed
below), and
heat transfer is effected from the heated heat transfer medium 30 to an
intermediate
concentrated reaction zone product 34 to effect drying of the intermediate
concentrated
reaction zone product 34 and thereby effect production of the final reaction
zone product
36. In some embodiments, for example, after being discharged from the dryer
32, the
heat transfer medium 30 is recirculated to the heat exchanger 26. Examples of
a suitable
heat transfer medium 30 include thermal oil and glycol solution.
[0025] In some
embodiments, for example, the supply of the reaction zone feed
material 22 to the reaction zone 10 effects agitation of at least a fraction
of the
phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10. In this
respect, in some
embodiments, for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 is introduced to
a lower
portion of the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the
reaction zone
feed material 22 is introduced from below the reaction zone 10 so as to effect
mixing of
the contents of the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for
example, the
effected mixing (or agitation) is such that any difference in molar
concentration of the
phototrophic biomass between any two points in the reaction zone 10 is less
than 20%.
In some embodiments, for example, any difference in molar concentration of the
phototrophic biomass between any two points in the reaction zone 10 is less
than 10%.
In some of these embodiments, for example, the effected mixing is such that a
homogeneous suspension is provided in the reaction zone 10. In those
embodiments with
a photobioreactor 12, for some of these embodiments, for example, the supply
of the
reaction zone feed material 22 is co-operatively configured with the
photobioreactor 12
so as to effect the desired agitation of the at least a fraction of the
phototrophic biomass
disposed in the reaction zone 10.
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[0026] With further respect to those embodiments where the supply of the
reaction
zone feed material 22 to the reaction zone 10 effects agitation of at least a
fraction of the
phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10, in some of these
embodiments,
for example, the reaction zone feed material 22 flows through a gas injection
mechanism,
such as a sparger 40, before being introduced to the reaction zone 10. In some
of these
embodiments, for example, the sparger 40 provides reaction zone feed material
22 as a
gas-liquid mixture, including fine gas bubbles entrained in a liquid phase, to
the reaction
zone 10 in order to maximize the interface contact area between the
phototrophic biomass
and the carbon dioxide (and, in some embodiments, for example, one of, or both
of, SOx
and N0x) of the reaction zone feed material 22. This assists the phototrophic
biomass in
efficiently absorbing the carbon dioxide (and, in some embodiments, other
gaseous
components) required for photosynthesis, thereby promoting the optimization of
the
growth rate of the phototrophic biomass. As well, in some embodiments, for
example,
the sparger 40 provides reaction zone feed material 22 in larger bubbles that
agitate the
phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10 to promote mixing of the
components of the
reaction zone 10. An example of a suitable sparger 40 is EDI F1exAirTM T-
Series Tube
Diffuser Model 91 X 1003 supplied by Enviornmental Dynamics Inc of Columbia,
Missouri. In some embodiments, for example, this sparger 40 is disposed in a
photobioreactor 12 having a reaction zone 10 volume of 6000 litres and with an
algae
concentration of between 0.8 grams per litre and 1.5 grams per litre, and the
reaction zone
feed material 22 is a gaseous fluid flow supplied at a flowrate of between 10
cubic feet
per minute and 20 cubic feet per minute, and at a pressure of about 68 inches
of water.
100271 With respect to the sparger 40, in some embodiments, for example,
the
sparger 40 is designed to consider the fluid head of the reaction zone 10, so
that the
supplying of the reaction zone feed material 22 to the reaction zone 10 is
effected in such
a way as to promote the optimization of carbon dioxide absorption by the
phototrophic
biomass. In this respect, bubble sizes are regulated so that they are fine
enough to
promote optimal carbon dioxide absorption by the phototrophic biomass from the
reaction zone feed material. Concomitantly, the bubble sizes are large enough
so that at
least a fraction of the bubbles rise through the entire height of the reaction
zone 10, while
mitigating against the reaction zone feed material 22 "bubbling through" the
reaction
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zone 10 and being released without being absorbed by the phototrophic biomass.
To
promote the realization of an optimal bubble size, in some embodiments, the
pressure of
the reaction zone feed material 22 is controlled using a pressure regulator
upstream of the
sparger 40.
[0028] With
respect to those embodiments where the reaction zone 10 is disposed in
a photobioreactor 12, in some of these embodiments, for example, the sparger
40 is
disposed externally of the photobioreactor 12. In other embodiments, for
example, the
sparger 40 is disposed within the photobioreactor 12. In some of these
embodiments, for
example, the sparger 40 extends from a lower portion of the photobioreactor 12
(and
within the photobioreactor 12).
[0029] In some
embodiments, for example, carbon dioxide is supplied to the
reaction zone 10, and the supplied carbon dioxide defines the reaction zone
carbon
dioxide supply 2402. The reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is supplied
to the
reaction zone 10 at a pressure which effects flow of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide
supply through a vertical extent of the reaction zone of at least seventy (70)
inches. In
some embodiments, for example, the vertical extent is at least 10 feet. In
some
embodiments, for example, the vertical extent is at least 20 feet. In some
embodiments,
for example, the vertical extent is at least 30 feet. In some embodiments, for
example,
the pressure of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is increased
before being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the increase in
pressure of the
reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is effected while the gaseous exhaust
material
18 is being produced by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In
some
embodiments, for example the increase in pressure of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide
supply 2402 is effected while the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply is being
supplied
to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for example, the exposing of the
phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically
active light
radiation is effected while the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is
being supplied
to the reaction zone 10.
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[0030] In some embodiments, for example, the pressure increase is at least
partially
effected by a prime mover 38. For those embodiments where the pressure
increase is at
least partially effected by the prime mover 38. An example of a suitable prime
mover 38,
for embodiments where the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is a
portion of the
reaction zone feed material 22, and the reaction zone feed material 22
includes liquid
material, is a pump. Examples of a suitable prime mover 38, for embodiments
where the
pressure increase is effected to a gaseous flow, include a blower, a
compressor, and an air
pump. In other embodiments, for example, the pressure increase is effected by
a jet
pump or eductor.
100311 Where the pressure increase is effected by a jet pump or eductor, in
some of
these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402
is
supplied to the jet pump or eductor and pressure energy is transferred to the
reaction zone
carbon dioxide supply from another flowing fluid (the "motive fluid flow")
using the
venturi effect to effect a pressure increase in the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply. In
this respect, in some embodiments, for example, and referring to Figure 3, a
motive fluid
flow 700 is provided, wherein material of the motive fluid flow 700 includes a
motive
fluid pressure Pmi. In this respect also, a lower pressure reaction zone
carbon dioxide
supply 2402A is provided including a pressure PE, wherein the lower pressure
state
carbon dioxide supply 2402A includes the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply
2402. In
some embodiments, the lower pressure reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402A
is
defined by the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402. Pm! of the motive
fluid flow is
greater than PE of the lower pressure state carbon dioxide supply 2402A.
Pressure of the
motive fluid flow 700 is reduced from Pm! to Pm2, such that Pm2 is less than
PE, by
flowing the motive fluid flow 700 from an upstream fluid passage portion 702
to an
intermediate downstream fluid passage portion 704. The intermediate downstream
fluid
passage portion 704 is characterized by a smaller cross-sectional area
relative to the
upstream fluid passage portion 702. By flowing the motive fluid flow 700 from
the
upstream fluid passage portion 702 to the intermediate downstream fluid
passage portion
704, static pressure energy is converted to kinetic energy. When the pressure
of the
motive fluid flow 700 has becomes reduced to Pm2, fluid communication between
the
motive fluid flow 700 and the lower pressure state carbon dioxide supply 2402A
is
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effected such that the lower pressure state carbon dioxide supply 2402A is
induced to mix
with the motive fluid flow 700 in the intermediate downstream fluid passage
portion 704,
in response to the pressure differential between the lower pressure state
carbon dioxide
supply 2402A and the motive fluid flow 700, to produce a reaction zone carbon
dioxide
supply-comprising mixture 2404 which includes the reaction zone carbon dioxide
supply
2402. At least a fraction of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-
comprising mixture
2404 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. Pressure of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide
supply-comprising mixture 2404, which includes the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply
2402, is increased to Pm3, such that the pressure of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide
supply 2402 is also increased to Pm3. Pm3 is greater than PE and is also
sufficient to effect
supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 to the reaction zone 10
and, upon
supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 to the reaction zone
10, effect
flow of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 through a vertical extent
of the
reaction zone 10 of at least seventy (70) inches. In some embodiments, for
example, Pm3
is greater than PE and is also sufficient to effect supply of the reaction
zone carbon
dioxide supply 2402 to the reaction zone 10 and, upon supply of the reaction
zone carbon
dioxide supply 2402 to the reaction zone 10, effect flow of the reaction zone
carbon
dioxide supply 2402 through a vertical extent of the reaction zone 10 of at
least 10 feet.
In some embodiments, for example, Pm3 is greater than PE and is also
sufficient to effect
supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 to the reaction zone 10
and, upon
supply of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 to the reaction zone
10, effect
flow of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 through a vertical extent
of the
reaction zone 10 of at least 20 feet. In some embodiments, for example, Pm3 is
greater
than PE and is also sufficient to effect supply of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply
2402 to the reaction zone 10 and, upon supply of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply
2402 to the reaction zone 10, effect flow of the reaction zone carbon dioxide
supply 2402
through a vertical extent of the reaction zone 10 of at least 30 feet. In any
of these
embodiments, the pressure increase is designed to overcome the fluid head
within the
reaction zone 10. The pressure increase is effected by flowing the reaction
zone carbon
dioxide supply-comprising mixture 2404 from the intermediate downstream fluid
passage
portion 704 to a "kinetic energy to static pressure energy conversion"
downstream fluid
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passage portion 706. The cross-sectional area of the "kinetic energy to static
pressure
energy conversion" downstream fluid passage portion 706 is greater than the
cross-
sectional area of the intermediate downstream fluid passage portion 704, such
that kinetic
energy of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-comprising mixture 2404
disposed in
the intermediate downstream fluid passage portion 704 is converted into static
pressure
energy when the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-comprising mixture 2404
becomes
disposed in the "kinetic energy to static pressure energy conversion"
downstream fluid
passage portion 706 by virtue of the fact that the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply-
comprising mixture 2404 has become flowed to a fluid passage portion with a
larger
cross-sectional area. In some embodiments, for example, a converging nozzle
portion of
a fluid passage defines the upstream fluid passage portion 702 and a diverging
nozzle
portion of the fluid passage defines the "kinetic energy to static pressure
energy
conversion" downstream fluid passage portion 706, and the intermediate
downstream
fluid passage portion 704 is disposed intermediate of the converging and
diverging nozzle
portions. In some embodiments, for example, the combination of the upstream
fluid
passage portion 702 and the "kinetic energy to static pressure energy
conversion"
downstream fluid passage portion 706 is defined by a venture nozzle. In
some
embodiments, for example, the combination of the upstream fluid passage
portion 702
and the "kinetic energy to static pressure energy conversion" downstream fluid
passage
portion 706 is disposed within an eductor or jet pump. In some of these
embodiments,
for example, the motive fluid flow 700 includes liquid aqueous material and,
in this
respect, the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-comprising mixture 2404
includes a
combination of liquid and gaseous material. In this respect, in some
embodiments, for
example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-comprising mixture 2404
includes a
dispersion of a gaseous material within a liquid material, wherein the
dispersion of a
gaseous material includes the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply.
Alternatively, in
some of these embodiments, for example, the motive fluid flow 700 is another
gaseous
flow, such as an air flow, and the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-
comprising
mixture is gaseous. At least a fraction of the reaction zone carbon dioxide
supply-
comprising mixture 2404 is supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 so
as to effect
supply of the at least a fraction of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply-
comprising
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mixture to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, the carbon dioxide of the
reaction zone
feed material 22 includes at least a fraction of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply
2402. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide of the reaction
zone feed
material 22 is defined by at least a fraction of the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply
2402.
[0032] In some of
these embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon
dioxide supply 2402 is supplied by at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and the
supplying of the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402, by the at least a
fraction of
the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, is effected while the gaseous exhaust material 18 is
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and while the
reaction
zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In
this
respect, in some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide
supply
2402 is supplied by at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide being discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and the supplying of the
reaction zone
carbon dioxide supply 2402, by the at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, is effected
while the
carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process 20
and while the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply 2402 is being supplied to
the reaction
zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide
supply
2402 is defined by the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply.
100331 In some
embodiments, for example, the photobioreactor 12, or plurality of
photobioreactors 12, are configured so as to optimize carbon dioxide
absorption by the
phototrophic biomass and reduce energy requirements. In this
respect, the
photobioreactor (s) is (are) configured to provide increased residence time of
the carbon
dioxide within the reaction zone 10. As well, movement of the carbon dioxide
over
horizontal distances is minimized, so as to reduce energy consumption. To this
end, the
one or more photobioreactors 12 is, or are, relatively taller, and provide a
reduced
footprint, so as to increase carbon dioxide residence time while conserving
energy.
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[0034] In some embodiments, for example, a supplemental nutrient supply 42
is
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for
example, the
exposing of the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to
photosynthetically active light radiation is effected while the supplemental
nutrient
supply 42 is being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for
example,
the supplemental nutrient supply 42 is effected by a pump, such as a dosing
pump. In
other embodiments, for example, the supplemental nutrient supply 42 is
supplied
manually to the reaction zone 10. Nutrients within the reaction zone 10 are
processed or
consumed by the phototrophic biomass, and it is desirable, in some
circumstances, to
replenish the processed or consumed nutrients. A suitable nutrient composition
is
"Bold's Basal Medium", and this is described in Bold, H.C. 1949, The
morphology of
Chlamydomonas chlamydogama sp. nov. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club. 76: 101-8 (see
also
Bischoff, H.W. and Bold, H.C. 1963. Phycological Studies IV. Some soil algae
from
Enchanted Rock and related algal species, Univ. Texas Publ. 6318: 1-95, and
Stein, J.
(ED.) Handbook of Phycological Methods, Culture methods and growth
measurements,
Cambridge University Press, pp. 7-24). The supplemental nutrient supply 42 is
supplied
for supplementing the nutrients provided within the reaction zone, such as
"Bold's Basal
Medium", or one ore more dissolved components thereof. In this respect, in
some
embodiments, for example, the supplemental nutrient supply 42 includes "Bold's
Basal
Medium". In some embodiments for example, the supplemental nutrient supply 42
includes one or more dissolved components of "Bold's Basal Medium", such as
NaNO3,
CaCl2, MgSO4, KH2PO4, NaC1, or other ones of its constituent dissolved
components.
[0035] In some of these embodiments, the rate of supply of the supplemental
nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10 is controlled to align with a
desired rate of
growth of the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for
example, regulation of nutrient addition is monitored by measuring any
combination of
pH, NO3 concentration, and conductivity in the reaction zone 10.
[0036] In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material
supply 44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 so as to replenish water within
the reaction
zone 10 of the photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments, for example, and as
further
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described below, the supply of the supplemental aqueous material supply 24
effects the
discharge of product from the photobioreactor 12. For example, the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 effects the discharge of product from the
photobioreactor 12
as an overflow.
[0037] In some
embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material is
water. In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material
supply 44
includes at least one of: (a) aqueous material 70 that has been condensed from
the
reaction zone feed material 22 while the reaction zone feed material 22 is
cooled before
being supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) aqueous material that has been
separated
from a discharged phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500. In some
embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is
derived from
an independent source (ie. a source other than the process), such as a
municipal water
supply.
[0038] In some
embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material
supply 44 is supplied by the pump 281. In some of these embodiments, for
example, the
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is continuously supplied to the
reaction zone
10.
[0039] In some
embodiments, for example, at least a fraction of the supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 is supplied from a container 28, which is further
described
below. At least a fraction of aqueous material which is discharged from the
process is
recovered and supplied to the container 28 to provide supplemental aqueous
material in
the container 28.
[0040] Referring
to Figure 2, in some embodiments, the supplemental nutrient
supply 42 and the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 are supplied to the
reaction
zone feed material 22 through the sparger 40 before being supplied to the
reaction zone
10. In those embodiments where the reaction zone 10 is disposed in the
photobioreactor
12, in some of these embodiments, for example, the sparger 40 is disposed
externally of
the photobioreactor 12. In some embodiments, it is desirable to mix the
reaction zone
feed material 22 with the supplemental nutrient supply 42 and the supplemental
aqueous
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material supply 44 within the sparger 40, as this effects better mixing of
these
components versus separate supplies of the reaction zone feed material 22, the
supplemental nutrient supply 42, and the supplemental aqueous material supply
44. On
the other hand, the rate of supply of the reaction zone feed material 22 to
the reaction
zone 10 is limited by virtue of saturation limits of gaseous material of the
reaction zone
feed material 22 in the combined mixture. Because of this trade-off, such
embodiments
are more suitable when response time required for providing a modulated supply
of
carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 10 is not relatively immediate, and this
depends on
the biological requirements of the phototrophic organisms being used.
[0041] In some embodiments, for example, at least a fraction of the
supplemental
nutrient supply 42 is mixed with the supplemental aqueous material in the
container 28 to
provide a nutrient-enriched supplemental aqueous material supply 44, and the
nutrient-
enriched supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied directly to the
reaction
zone 10 or is mixed with the reaction zone feed material 22 in the sparger 40.
In some
embodiments, for example, the direct or indirect supply of the nutrient-
enriched
supplemental aqueous material supply is effected by a pump.
[0042] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
at least
one material input to the reaction zone 10 is modulated based on at least the
molar rate at
which the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply is being supplied to
the
reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, the exposing of the
phototrophic
biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically active light
radiation is
effected while the modulating of at least one input is being effected.
100431 As suggested above, modulating of a material input is any one of
initiating,
terminating, increasing, decreasing, or otherwise changing the material input.
A material
input to the reaction zone 10 is an input whose supply to the reaction zone 10
is material
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to the rate of growth of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10.
Exemplary
material inputs to the reaction zone 10 include supply of photosynthetically
active light
radiation of a characteristic intensity being to the reaction zone, and supply
of
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10.
[0044] In this respect, modulating the intensity of photosynthetically
active light
radiation being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is any one of: initiating
supply of
photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone, terminating
supply of
photosynthetically active light radiation which is being supplied to the
reaction zone,
increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation being
supplied to the
reaction zone, and decreasing the intensity of photosynthetically active light
radiation
being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the
modulating of the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation being
supplied to
the reaction zone includes modulating of the intensity of photosynthetically
active light
radiation to which at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide-enriched
phototrophic biomass
is exposed.
[0045] Modulating the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply
42 to
the reaction zone is any one of initiating the supply of supplemental nutrient
supply 42 to
the reaction zone, terminating the supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42
being
supplied to the reaction zone, increasing the molar rate of supply of
supplemental nutrient
supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone, or decreasing the molar rate of
supply of
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone.
[0046] In some embodiments, for example, the modulation is based on, at
least, an
indication of the molar rate at which the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone supply
is being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, in some
embodiments, for
example, while carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, and while at least a fraction of the discharged carbon
dioxide is
being supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a fraction of the
discharged
carbon dioxide which is being supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a
discharged
carbon dioxide reaction zone supply, at least one material input to the
reaction zone 10 is
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modulated based on, at least, an indication of the molar rate at which the
discharged
carbon dioxide reaction zone supply is being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some of
these embodiments, the exposing of the phototrophic biomass disposed in the
reaction
zone 10 to photosynthetically active light radiation is effected while the
modulating of at
least one input is being effected.
[0047] In some
embodiments, for example, the indication of the molar rate of supply
of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply which is being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10 is the molar rate at which gaseous exhaust material 18 is
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, such that the
modulation is based on, at least, the molar rate at which the gaseous exhaust
material 18
is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20,
wherein the
gaseous exhaust material includes the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone
supply. In
this respect, in some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor 78 is provided
for
detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal
representative
of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 to the controller. Upon the
controller
receiving a signal from the flow sensor 78 which is representative of the
detected molar
flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18, the controller effects
modulation of at least
one material input to the reaction zone 10 based on the detected molar flow
rate of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the modulating of at least one
material
input includes at least one of: (i) initiating supply of the
photosynthetically active light
radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting an increase in the
intensity of the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10. In some
embodiments, for example, the modulating of at least one material input
includes: (i)
initiating supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone,
or (ii)
effecting an increase in the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient
supply 42
being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, the modulation of
at least
one material input includes at least one of: (i)
terminating supply of the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10, or (ii)
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effecting a decrease in the intensity of the photosynthetically active light
radiation being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the
modulating of
at least one material input includes at least one of: (i) terminating supply
of the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone, or (ii)
effecting a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10.
100481 In some
embodiments, for example, the indication of the molar rate of
supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply which is being
supplied to
the reaction zone 10 is the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20, such
that the modulation is based on, at least, the molar concentration of carbon
dioxide of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, wherein the gaseous exhaust material 18 includes the discharged
carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example, a
carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 to the controller. Upon the
controller
receiving a signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 which is representative
of a
detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material
18, the
controller effects modulation of at least one material input to the reaction
zone 10 based
on the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust
material 18.
In some embodiments, for example, the modulating of at least one material
input includes
at least one of (i) initiating supply of the photosynthetically active light
radiation to the
reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting an increase in the intensity of the
photosynthetically
active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for
example, the modulating of at least one material input includes: (i)
initiating supply of the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) effecting an
increase in the
molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to
the reaction
zone 10. In some embodiments, the modulation of at least one material input
includes at
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least one of: (i) terminating supply of the photosynthetically active light
radiation being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting a decrease in the
intensity of the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10. In some
embodiments, for example, the modulating of at least one material input
includes at least
one of: (i) terminating supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42 being
supplied to
the reaction zone, or (ii) effecting a decrease in the molar rate of supply of
the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[00491 In some
embodiments, for example, the indication of the molar rate of supply
of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply which is being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10 is the molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, such that the modulation is
based on, at
least, the molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the
gaseous exhaust
material producing process 20, wherein the gaseous exhaust material 18
includes the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply. In some embodiments, for
example, the
molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is calculated based on the combination of the detected
molar flow
rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust material
producing process 20 and the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of
the
gaseous effluent material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20. The combination of (i) the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20, and
(ii) the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous
effluent material
18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20,
provides a
basis for calculating a molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In this respect, a flow sensor
78 is
provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
transmitting a
signal representative of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18,
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to the
controller.
In this respect also, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting
the molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by
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the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal
representative of the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18, being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing process
20, to the controller. Upon the controller receiving a flow sensor signal from
the flow
sensor 78, which is representative of a detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20, and
also receiving a carbon dioxide sensor signal from a carbon dioxide sensor
781, which is
representative of a detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20,
wherein the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 is being detected contemporaneously, or substantially
contemporaneously,
with the detecting of the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18
being
discharged by the process 20, upon which the flow sensor signal is based, and
calculating
a molar rate of carbon dioxide being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, based upon the received flow sensor signal and the
received carbon
dioxide sensor signal, the controller effects modulation of at least one
material input to
the reaction zone 10 based on the calculated molar rate of carbon dioxide
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In some
embodiments,
for example, the modulating of at least one material input includes at least
one of: (i)
initiating supply of the photosynthetically active light radiation to the
reaction zone 10, or
(ii) effecting an increase in the intensity of the photosynthetically active
light radiation
being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the
modulating of at least one material input includes: (i) initiating supply of
the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, or (ii) effecting an
increase in the
molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to
the reaction
zone 10. In some embodiments, the modulation of at least one material input
includes at
least one of: (i) terminating supply of the photosynthetically active light
radiation being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting a decrease in the
intensity of the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10. In some
embodiments, for example, the modulating of at least one material input
includes at least
one of: (i) terminating supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42 being
supplied to
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the reaction zone, or (ii) effecting a decrease in the molar rate of supply of
the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0050] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when a
change in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone supply
being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, modulation of at least one
material
input to the reaction zone 10 is effected. In this respect, the modulation of
at least one
material input to the reaction zone 10 is effected in response to the
detection of a change
in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone
supply being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, the exposing
of the
phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically
active light
radiation is effected while the modulating of at least one material input is
being effected.
[0051] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
indication of a change in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon
dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected,
modulation of at
least one material input to the reaction zone 10 is effected. In this respect,
the modulation
of at least one material input to the reaction zone 10 is effected in response
to the
detection of an indication of a change in the molar rate of supply of the
discharged carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some
of these
embodiments, the exposing of the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction
zone 10
to photosynthetically active light radiation is effected while the modulating
of at least one
material input is being effected.
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[0052] As above-
described, modulating of a material input is any one of initiating,
terminating, increasing, or decreasing the material input. Exemplary material
inputs to
the reaction zone include supply of photosynthetically active light radiation
of a
characteristic intensity to the reaction zone 10, and supply of a molar rate
of supply of
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10.
100531 As also
above-described, modulating the intensity of photosynthetically
active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is any one of:
initiating
supply of photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone,
terminating
supply of photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the
reaction zone,
increasing the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation being
supplied to the
reaction zone, and decreasing the intensity of photosynthetically active light
radiation
being supplied to the reaction zone. In some embodiments, for example, the
modulating
of the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied
to the reaction
zone includes modulating of the intensity of photosynthetically active light
radiation to
which at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide-enriched phototrophic biomass
is exposed.
[0054] As also
above-described, modulating the molar rate of supply of
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone is any one of initiating
the supply of
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone, terminating the supply
of
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone,
increasing the molar
rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the
reaction zone, or
decreasing the molar rate of supply of supplemental nutrient supply 42 being
supplied to
the reaction zone.
[0055] In some
embodiments, for example, and as also above-described, the
modulating of the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation
is effected by a
controller. In some embodiments, for example, to increase or decrease light
intensity of a
light source, the controller changes the power output to the light source from
the power
supply, and this can be effected by controlling either one of voltage or
current. As well,
in some embodiments, for example, the modulating of the molar rate of supply
of the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 is also effected by a controller. To modulate
the molar
DOCSTOR: 2166324\1
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rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42, the controller can
control a dosing
pump 421 to provide a predetermined molar flow rate of the supplemental
nutrient supply
42.
[0056] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
increase in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone supply
being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the modulating of at least
one material
input includes at least one of: (i) initiating supply of the
photosynthetically active light
radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting an increase in the
intensity of the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10. In this
respect, such modulation is effected in response to the detection of an
increase in the
molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the
increase in the
intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to
the reaction
zone 10 is proportional to the increase in the molar rate of supply of the
discharged
carbon dioxide reaction zone supplied being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0057] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
indication of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon
dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the
modulating of
at least one material input includes at least one of: (i) initiating supply of
the
photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or (ii)
effecting an
increase in the intensity of the photosynthetically active light radiation
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10. In this respect, such modulation is effected in response
to the
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detection of an indication of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the
discharged
carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In
some
embodiments, for example, the increase in the intensity of the
photosynthetically active
light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is proportional to the
increase in the
molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supplied
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0058] In some embodiments, for example, upon the initiating of the supply
of
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone,
or the
increasing of the intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation being
supplied to
the reaction zone, the rate of cooling of a light source, that is provided in
the reaction
zone 10 and that is supplying the photosynthetically active light radiation to
the reaction
zone, is increased. The cooling is effected for mitigating heating of the
reaction zone by
any thermal energy that is dissipated from the light source while the light
source is
supplying the photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone.
Heating of
the reaction zone 10 increases the temperature of the reaction zone. In some
embodiments, excessive temperature within the reaction zone 10 is deleterious
to the
phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the light source is
disposed in
a liquid light guide and a heat transfer fluid is disposed within the liquid
light guide, and
the rate of cooling is increased by increasing the rate of exchanges of the
heat transfer
fluid within the liquid light guide.
[0059] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
increase in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone supply
being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the modulating of at least
one material
input includes at least one of: (i) initiating supply of the supplemental
nutrient supply 42
to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting an increase in the molar rate of
supply of the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In
this respect,
DOC STOR 2166324 \ 1
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such modulation is effected in response to the detection of an increase in the
molar rate of
supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to
the
reaction zone 10.
[0060] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
indication of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon
dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the
modulating of
at least one material input includes at least one of: (i) initiating supply of
the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 to the reaction zone 10, or (ii) effecting an
increase in
the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10. In this respect, such modulation is effected in response to
the detection
of an indication of an increase in the molar rate of supply of the discharged
carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[00611 In some embodiments, for example, the indication of an increase in
the molar
rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 which is detected is an increase in the molar rate at which
gaseous
exhaust material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, wherein the gaseous exhaust material 18 includes the discharged
carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example, a flow
sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
transmitting
a signal representative of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
to the controller. Upon the controller comparing a received signal from the
flow sensor
78, which is representative of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20, to a
previously received signal representative of a previously detected molar flow
rate of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
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process 20, and determining that an increase in the molar flow rate of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20 has
been effected, the controller effects at least one of: (a) initiation of
supply of
photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or an
increase in the
intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supply being supplied
to the reaction
zone 10, and (b) initiation of supply of a supplemental nutrient supply 42 to
the reaction
zone 10, or an increase in the molar rate of supply of a supplemental nutrient
supply 42
being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0062] In some
embodiments, for example, the indication of an increase in the molar
rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 which is detected is an increase in the molar concentration
of carbon
dioxide of gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, wherein the gaseous exhaust material 18 includes the
discharged
carbon dioxide reaction zone supply. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example,
a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration
of carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the
detected
molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to the
controller. Upon
the controller comparing a received signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781,
which is
representative of the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, to a previously received signal representative of a previously detected
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and determining that an
increase in
the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18
has been
effected, the controller effects at least one of: (a) initiation of supply of
photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or an
increase in the
intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supply being supplied
to the reaction
zone 10, and (b) initiation of supply of a supplemental nutrient supply 42 to
the reaction
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zone 10, or an increase in the molar rate of supply of a supplemental nutrient
supply 42
being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0063] In some
embodiments, for example, the indication of an increase in the molar
rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 is an increase in the molar rate at which carbon dioxide is
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In this
respect, in
some embodiments, for example, the increase in the molar rate at which carbon
dioxide is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 is based
on a
comparison between (i) a calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide is
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust producing process 20, wherein the
calculation is based
on the combination of a detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and also
a
detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material
18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and (ii) a
calculated
molar rate at which carbon dioxide has been previously discharged by the
gaseous
exhaust producing process 20, wherein the calculation is based on the
combination of a
previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18
previously being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and also a
previously
detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material
18
previously being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20. In
this respect, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate
of the gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, and transmitting a signal representative of the detected molar flow rate
of the gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, to the controller. In this respect also, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is
provided for
detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
transmitting
a signal representative of the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18, being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, to the controller. Upon the controller receiving a flow sensor
signal from the
flow sensor 78, which is representative of a detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous
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exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, and also receiving a carbon dioxide sensor signal from a carbon dioxide
sensor 781,
which is representative of a detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of
the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, wherein the detecting of the detected molar concentration of
carbon dioxide
of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is contemporaneous, or substantially
contemporaneous, with the detecting of the detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the process 20, upon which the flow
sensor
signal is based, and calculating a molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being
discharged
by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, based upon the received
flow
sensor signal and the received carbon dioxide sensor signal, and comparing the
calculated
molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 to a calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide has
previously
been discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
the
calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide has previously been discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 is based upon the combination of
a
previously received flow sensor signal, which is representative of a
previously detected
molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 previously discharged by
the gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20, and a previously received carbon
dioxide sensor
signal, which is representative of a previously detected molar concentration
of carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 previously discharged by the
gaseous exhaust
material producing process 20, wherein the detecting of the previously
detected molar
concentration of carbon dioxide has been effected contemporaneously, or
substantially
contemporaneously, with the detecting of the previously detected molar flow
rate of the
previously discharging gaseous exhaust material 18, upon which the previously
received
flow sensor signal is based, and determining that an increase in the molar
rate at which
carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process 20
has been effected, the controller effects at least one of: (a) initiation of
supply of
photosynthetically active light radiation to the reaction zone 10, or an
increase in the
intensity of photosynthetically active light radiation supply being supplied
to the reaction
zone 10, and (b) initiation of supply of a supplemental nutrient supply 42 to
the reaction
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zone 10, or an increase in the molar rate of supply of a supplemental nutrient
supply 42
being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0064] In some embodiments, for example, any one of: (a) an increase in the
detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, (b) an increase in the detected
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, or (c) an increase in the
calculated
molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, is an indicator of an increase in the molar rate of
supply of the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction
zone 10.
Where there is provided an increase in the molar rate of supply of the
discharged carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply to the reaction zone 10, the molar rate of supply
of at least
one condition for growth (ie. increased molar rate of supply of carbon
dioxide) of the
phototrophic biomass is increased, and the rates of supply of other inputs,
relevant to
such growth, are correspondingly initiated or increased, in anticipation of
growth of the
phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10.
[0065] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the modulating of
at least one
material input includes effecting at least one of: (i) terminating supply of
the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10, or (ii)
effecting a decrease in the intensity of the photosynthetically active light
radiation being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, such modulation is effected
in response
to the detection of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged
carbon dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for
example, the decrease in the intensity of the photosynthetically active light
radiation
DOCSTOR: 2166324 \ 1
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being supplied to the reaction zone is proportional to the decrease in the
molar rate of
supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supplied being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10.
[0066] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon
dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the
modulating of
at least one material input includes effecting at least one of: (i)
terminating supply of the
photosynthetically active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone
10, or (ii)
effecting a decrease in the intensity of the photosynthetically active light
radiation being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, such modulation is effected
in response
to the detection of an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of
the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction
zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the decrease in the intensity of the
photosynthetically
active light radiation being supplied to the reaction zone is proportional to
the decrease in
the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone
supplied being
supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0067] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the modulating of
at least one
material input includes effecting at least one of: (i) terminating supply of
the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone, or (ii)
effecting a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42
being
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supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, such modulation is effected
in response
to the detection of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged
carbon dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0068] In some embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon
dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, the
modulating of
at least one material input includes effecting at least one of: (i)
terminating supply of the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction zone, or (ii)
effecting a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the supplemental nutrient supply 42
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, such modulation is effected
in response
to the detection of an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of
the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction
zone 10.
[0069] In some embodiments, for example, the indication of a decrease in
the molar
rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 which is detected is a decrease in the molar rate at which
the gaseous
exhaust material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, a flow sensor
78 is
provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
transmitting a
signal representative of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18 to
the controller. Upon the controller comparing a received signal from the flow
sensor 78,
which is representative of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to a
previously
received signal representative of a previously detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 previously being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 , and determining that a decrease in the molar flow rate
of the
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gaseous exhaust material 18, being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, has been effected, the controller effects at least one of: (a) a
decrease in the
intensity of, or termination of, supply of the photosynthetically active light
radiation
being supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) a decrease in the molar rate
of supply of,
or termination of supply of, of a supplemental nutrient supply 42 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10.
[0070] In some embodiments, for example, the indication of a decrease in
the molar
rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 which is detected is a decrease in the molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide of the gaseous effluent material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example, a
carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the
detected
molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to the
controller. Upon
the controller comparing a received signal from the carbon dioxide sensor 781
which is
representative of the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, to a previously received signal representative of a previously detected
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 previously
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
determining that a
decrease in the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust
material 18,
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, has
been
effected, the controller effects at least one of: (a) a decrease in the
intensity of, or
termination of, supply of the photosynthetically active light radiation being
supplied to
the reaction zone 10, and (b) a decrease in the molar rate of supply of, or
termination of
supply of, a supplemental nutrient supply 42 being supplied to the reaction
zone 10.
[0071] In some embodiments, for example, the indication of a decrease in
the molar
rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being
supplied to the
DOCSTOR. 2166324 \ I
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reaction zone 10 is a decrease in the molar rate at which carbon dioxide is
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In this
respect, in
some embodiments, for example, the decrease in the molar rate at which carbon
dioxide
is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 is
based on a
comparison between (i) a calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide is
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust producing process 20, wherein the
calculation is based
on the combination of a detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and also
a
detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material
18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and (ii) a
calculated
molar rate at which carbon dioxide has previously been discharged by the
gaseous
exhaust producing process 20, wherein the calculation is based on the
combination of a
previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18
previously being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and also a
previously
detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material
18
previously being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20. In
this respect, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar flow rate
of the gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, and transmitting a signal representative of the detected molar flow rate
of the gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, to the controller. In this respect also, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is
provided for
detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
transmitting
a signal representative of the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, to the controller. Upon the controller receiving a flow sensor
signal from the
flow sensor 78, which is representative of a detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20, and also receiving a carbon dioxide sensor signal from a carbon dioxide
sensor 781,
which is representative of a detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of
the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
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process 20, wherein the detecting of the detected molar concentration of
carbon dioxide
of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is contemporaneous, or substantially
contemporaneous, with the detecting of the detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 being discharged by the process 20, upon which the flow
sensor
signal is based, and calculating a molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being
discharged
by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, based upon the received
flow
sensor signal and the received carbon dioxide sensor signal, and comparing the
calculated
molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 to a calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide has
previously
been discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
the
calculation of the molar rate at which carbon dioxide has previously been
discharged by
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, is based upon the
combination of a
previously received flow sensor signal, which is representative of a
previously detected
molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 previously discharged by
the gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20, and a previously received carbon
dioxide sensor
signal, which is representative of a previously detected molar concentration
of carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 previously discharged by the
gaseous exhaust
material producing process 20, wherein the detecting of the previously
detected molar
concentration of carbon dioxide has been effected contemporaneously, or
substantially
contemporaneously, with the detecting of the previously detected molar flow
rate of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 previously discharged by the process 20, upon
which the
previously received flow sensor signal is based, and determining that a
decrease in the
molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 has been effected, the controller effects at least one
of: (a) a
decrease in the intensity, or termination of supply, of the photosynthetically
active light
radiation being supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) a decrease in the
molar rate of
supply, or termination of supply, of a supplemental nutrient supply 42 being
supplied to
the reaction zone 10.
[0072] In some
embodiments, for example, any one of: (a) a decrease in the molar
flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, (b) a decrease in the molar concentration of
carbon
DOCSTOR= 2166324\1
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- 39 -
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, or (c) a decrease in the molar rate of carbon
dioxide being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, is an
indicator of a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. Because there is provided a
decrease in
the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply
to the
reaction zone 10, the rate of supply of one or more other material inputs,
which are
relevant to phototrophic biomass growth, are correspondingly reduced or
terminated to
conserve such inputs.
[0073] In some
embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, or when an
indication of a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction
zone
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, either the molar
rate of supply
of a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is
increased, or
supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is
initiated.
In this respect, the increase in the molar rate of supply of a supplemental
carbon dioxide
supply 92 to the reaction zone 10, or the initiation of the supply of the
supplemental
carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is effected in response to
the detecting
of a decrease, or an indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of
the discharged
carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In
some
embodiments, for example, the source of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply
92 is a
carbon dioxide cylinder. In some embodiments, for example, the source of the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 is a supply of air. In some embodiments,
for
example, the detected decrease is a detected termination of the molar rate of
supply of the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction
zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example the detected indication of a decrease is a
detected
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indication of the termination of the molar rate of supply of the discharged
carbon dioxide
reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for
example, the indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the
discharged carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is any of
the
indications described above.
[0074] In some of these embodiments, the exposing of the phototrophic
biomass
disposed in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically active light radiation
is effected
while the increasing of the molar rate of supply, or the initiation of supply,
of the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is being
effected.
[0075] In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental carbon dioxide
supply
92 is provided for compensating for the decrease in the molar rate of supply
of carbon
dioxide being supplied by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 to
the
reaction zone 10, with a view to sustaining a substantially constant growth
rate of the
phototrophic biomass, when it is believed that the decrease (for example, the
termination)
is only of a temporary nature (such as less than two weeks). In this respect,
in some
embodiments, the supply of supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 continues after
its initiation
for a period of less than two (2) weeks, for example, less than one week, and
as a further
example, less than five (5) days, and as a further example, less than three
(3) days, and as
a further example, less than one (1) day. In some embodiments, for example,
the supply
of supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 continues after its initiation for a
period of greater
than 15 minutes, for example, greater than 30 minutes, and as a further
example, greater
than one (1) hour, and as a further example, greater than six (6) hours, and
as a further
example, greater than 24 hours.
[0076] In those embodiments where the increasing of the molar rate of
supply, or
the initiation of supply, of a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
reaction zone
is effected in response to the detection of an indication of a decrease in the
molar rate
of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10, and the indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply
of the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
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which is detected, is a decrease in the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, in some
of these
embodiments, for example, a flow sensor 78 is provided for detecting the molar
flow rate
of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the detected
molar flow
rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18, being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust material
producing process 20, to the controller. Upon the controller comparing a
received signal
from the flow sensor 78 which is representative of a currently detected molar
flow rate of
the gaseous exhaust material 18, being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, to a previously received signal representative of a
previously
detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 previously being
discharged
by the process 20, and determining that a decrease in the molar flow rate of
the gaseous
exhaust material 18, being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing process
20, has been effected, the controller actuates the opening of a flow control
element, such
as a valve 921, to initiate supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply
92 to the
reaction zone 10 from a source of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92,
or to effect
increasing of the molar rate of supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide
supply being
supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0077] In those
embodiments where the increasing of the molar rate of supply, or
the initiation of supply, of a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
reaction zone
is effected in response to the detection of an indication of a decrease in the
molar rate
of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10, and the indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply
of the
discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the reaction
zone 10
which is detected is a decrease in the molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, in some embodiments, for example, a carbon dioxide sensor 781 is
provided
for detecting the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust
material
18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
transmitting a signal representative of the detected molar concentration of
carbon dioxide
of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
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producing process 20, to the controller. Upon the controller comparing a
received signal
from the carbon dioxide sensor 781 which is representative of the detected
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to a previously received
signal
representative of a previously detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 previously being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, and determining that a decrease in the molar
concentration of
carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20, has been effected, the controller
actuates the
opening of a flow control element, such as a valve 921, to initiate supply of
the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10, or to effect
increasing of
the molar rate of supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10.
100781 In those
embodiments where the increasing of the molar rate of supply of a
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 being supplied to the reaction zone, or
the
initiation of supply of a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
reaction zone 10, is
effected in response to the detection of an indication of a decrease in the
molar rate of
supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply to the reaction
zone 10,
when the indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the
discharged carbon
dioxide reaction zone supply to the reaction zone 10, which is detected is a
decrease in
the molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, in some of these embodiments, for example, the
decrease
in the molar rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20 is based on a comparison between (i) a
calculated molar
rate at which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
producing
process 20, wherein the calculation is based on the combination of a detected
molar flow
rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust material
producing process 20 and also a detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, and (ii) a calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide has
previously been
discharged by the gaseous exhaust producing process 20, wherein the
calculation is based
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on the combination of a previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 previously being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20 and also a previously detected molar concentration of carbon
dioxide of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 previously being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20. In this respect, a flow sensor 78 is provided for
detecting the
molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal
representative of the
detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to the controller. In this
respect also, a
carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, and transmitting a signal representative of the
detected
molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, to the
controller. Upon
the controller receiving a flow sensor signal from the flow sensor 78, which
is
representative of a detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material
18 being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and also
receiving a
carbon dioxide sensor signal from a carbon dioxide sensor 781, which is
representative of
a detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
the
detecting of the detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 is contemporaneous, or substantially contemporaneous, with the
detecting of
the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being
discharged by the
process 20, upon which the flow sensor signal is based, and calculating a
molar rate at
which carbon dioxide is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, based upon the received flow sensor signal and the received carbon
dioxide
sensor signal, and comparing the calculated molar rate at which carbon dioxide
is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 to a
calculated molar
rate at which carbon dioxide has previously been discharged by the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20, wherein the calculated molar rate at which
carbon
dioxide has previously been discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
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process 20 is based upon the combination of a previously received flow sensor
signal,
which is representative of a previously detected molar flow rate of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 previously discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process 20,
and a previously received carbon dioxide sensor signal, which is
representative of a
previously detected molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 previously discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process 20,
wherein the detecting of the previously detected molar concentration of carbon
dioxide
has been effected contemporaneously, or substantially contemporaneously, with
the
detecting of the previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
previously discharged by the process 20, upon which the previously received
flow sensor
signal is based, and determining that a decrease in the molar rate at which
carbon dioxide
is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 has
been
effected, the controller actuates the opening of a flow control element, such
as a valve
921, to initiate supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
reaction zone
10, or to effect increasing of the molar rate of supply of the supplemental
carbon dioxide
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0079] In those embodiments where a decrease (or termination) in the molar
rate of
supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to
the
reaction zone 10 is detected, or when an indication of a decrease (or
termination) in the
molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10 is detected, and, in response, either the
molar rate of
supply of a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10 is
increased,
or supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10
is
initiated, in some of these embodiments, the process further includes
initiating the supply
of a supplemental gas-comprising material 48, or increasing the molar rate of
supply of a
supplemental gas-comprising material 48, to the reaction zone 10.
[0080] In some embodiments, for example, the initiation of the supply of
the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10, or the
increasing of the
molar rate of supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being
supplied to
the reaction zone 10, at least partially compensates for the reduction in
molar supply rate
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of material (such as material of the reaction zone feed material 22), or the
termination of
supply of material (such as material of the reaction zone feed material 22),
to the reaction
zone 10 which is effected by the decrease in the molar rate of supply, or by
the
termination of supply, of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, notwithstanding the initiation of the supply
of the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the reaction zone 10, or the increase
to the
molar rate of supply of a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
reaction zone 10,
which is effected in response to the reduction in the molar rate of supply, or
to the
termination of supply, of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[0081] In some
embodiments, for example, the compensation for the reduction in
molar supply rate of material (reaction zone feed material 22), or for the
termination of
supply of material (reaction zone feed material 22), to the reaction zone 10
which is
effected, effects substantially no change to the molar rate of supply of
material (reaction
zone feed material 22) to the reaction zone 10.
[0082] In some
embodiments, the compensation for the reduction in molar supply
rate of material (reaction zone feed material 22), or for the termination of
supply of
material (reaction zone feed material 22), to the reaction zone 10 which is
effected,
mitigates against the reduced agitation of the reaction zone 10 which would
otherwise be
attributable to the reduction in the molar rate of supply, or the termination
of supply, of
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10,
which is
effected by the decrease in the molar rate of supply, or by the termination of
supply, of
the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply being supplied to the
reaction zone
10.
[0083] In some
embodiments, for example, the combination of any gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, the supplemental carbon dioxide
supply 92, and
the supplemental gas-comprising material defines a combined operative material
flow
that is supplied to the reaction zone as at least a fraction of the reaction
zone feed
material 22, and the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied to the
reaction zone 10 and
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effects agitation of material in the reaction zone such that any difference in
molar
concentration of the phototrophic biomass between any two points in the
reaction zone 10
is less than 20%. In some embodiments, for example, the effected agitation is
such that
any difference in the molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass between
any two
points in the reaction zone 10 is less than 10%. In this respect, the supply
of the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 is provided to mitigate against the
creation of a
phototrophic biomass concentration gradient between any two points in the
reaction zone
above a desired maximum.
[0084] The molar concentration of carbon dioxide, if any, of the
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 is lower than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
In some
embodiments, for example, the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
supplemental gas material 48 is less than 3 mole % based on the total moles of
the
supplemental gas material 48. In some embodiments, for example, the molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the supplemental gas material 48 is less
than 1 (one)
mole % based on the total moles of the supplemental gas material 48.
[0085] In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental gas-comprising
material 48 is a gaseous material. In some of these embodiments, for example,
the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 includes a dispersion of gaseous
material in a
liquid material. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental
gas-
comprising material 48 includes air. In some of these embodiments, for
example, the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 is provided as a flow. The
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as a fraction of
the reaction
zone feed material 22.
[0086] In some embodiments, for example, the initiating of the supply of a
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10, or the
increasing of the
molar rate of supply of a supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10, is effected also in response to the detection of a decrease
in (or
termination of) the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide
reaction zone
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supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10, or of an indication of a
decrease in (or
termination of) the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide
reaction zone
supply being supplied to the reaction zone 10. Examples of suitable
indications, and
suitable sensors and control schemes for detecting such indications, are
described above,
and, in some embodiments, the initiating of the supply of a supplemental gas-
comprising
material 48 to the reaction zone 10, or the increasing of the molar rate of
supply of a
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone
10, is
effected by the controller actuating the opening, or an increase in the
opening, of a flow
control element (such as valve 50) to effect fluid coupling to a source of the
supplemental
gas-comprising material 48.
[0087] In some
embodiments, for example, the initiating of the supply of a
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10, or the
increasing of the
molar rate of supply of a supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 is effected in response to the detection of a decrease, or an
indication of
a decrease, in the molar rate of supply of the reaction zone feed material 22
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, while the supplemental carbon dioxide supply
92 is
being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, a
flow sensor
is provided for detecting the molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed
material 22, and
transmitting a signal representative of the detected molar flow rate of the
reaction zone
feed material 22 to the controller. Upon the controller comparing a received
signal from
the flow sensor which is representative of a currently detected molar flow
rate of the
reaction zone feed material 22, to a previously received signal representative
of a
previously detected molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed material 22, and
determining that a decrease in the molar flow rate of the reaction zone feed
material 22
has been effected, the controller actuates the opening of a flow control
element, such as a
valve (for example, valve 50), to initiate supply of the supplemental gas-
comprising
material 48 to the reaction zone 10 from a source of the supplemental gas-
comprising
material 48, or to effect increasing of the molar rate of supply of the
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 from a source of
the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48.
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[0088] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust material
18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
any of
the gaseous exhaust material 18 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines
a gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, supply of the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 is modulated based on detection of at
least one
carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator. In some embodiments, for
example, the
gaseous exhaust material 18 is discharged in the form of a gaseous flow. In
some
embodiments, for example, the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
is
provided in the form of a gaseous flow. In some embodiments, for example, the
exposing
of the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to
photosynthetically active
light radiation is effected while the modulating of the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24 is being effected.
100891 When the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24 to
the reaction zone 10 is modulated based on detection of at least one carbon
dioxide
processing capacity indicator, in some embodiments, for example, the process
further
includes modulating of a supply of a bypass fraction of the discharged gaseous
exhaust
material 18 to another unit operation. The supply of the bypass fraction of
the discharged
gaseous exhaust material 18 to another unit operation defines a bypass gaseous
exhaust
material 60. The bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 includes carbon dioxide.
The
another unit operation converts the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 such
that its
environmental impact is reduced.
[0090] As suggested above, modulating of a supply of the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 is any one of initiating,
terminating,
increasing, decreasing, or otherwise changing the supply of the gaseous
exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10. Also, modulating of a supply
of the
bypass fraction of the discharged gaseous exhaust material 18 (ie. the bypass
gaseous
exhaust material 60) to another unit operation. is any one of initiating,
terminating,
increasing, decreasing, or otherwise changing the supply of the bypass gaseous
exhaust
material 60 to another unit operation.
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[0091] The carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is any
characteristic that is
representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10 for receiving carbon
dioxide and
having at least a fraction of the received carbon dioxide converted in a
photosynthesis
reaction effected by phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction zone.
[0092] In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator is any characteristic of the process that is representative of the
capacity of the
reaction zone 10 for receiving carbon dioxide and having at least a fraction
of the
received carbon dioxide converted in a photosynthesis reaction effected by
phototrophic
biomass disposed within the reaction zone, such that the photosynthesis
effects growth of
the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In this respect, the
detection of the
carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is material to determining
whether
modulation of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24 is
required to effect a predetermined molar rate of growth of the phototrophic
biomass
within the reaction zone 10.
[0093] In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator is any characteristic of the process that is representative of the
capacity of the
reaction zone 10 for receiving carbon dioxide and having at least a fraction
of the
received carbon dioxide converted in a photosynthesis reaction effected by
phototrophic
biomass disposed within the reaction zone 10, such that any discharge of
carbon dioxide
from the reaction zone 10 is effected below a predetermined molar rate. In
this respect,
the detection of the carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is material
to
determining whether modulation of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction
zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 is required to effect a predetermined
molar rate of
discharge of the carbon dioxide from the reaction zone 10.
[0094] In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator which is detected is a pH within the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments,
for example, the carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator which is
detected is a
molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10.
Because any of
phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 that is being discharged from the
reaction
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zone 10 includes a portion of material from within the reaction zone 10 (ie.
phototrophic
biomass-comprising product 500 that is being discharged from the reaction zone
10 is
supplied with material from within the reaction zone 10), the detecting of a
carbon
dioxide processing capacity indicator (such as the pH within the reaction
zone, or the
phototrophic biomass molar concentration within the reaction zone) includes
detecting of
the carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator within the phototrophic
biomass-
comprising product 500 that is being discharged from the reaction zone 10
[0095] In some embodiments for example, the modulating of the supply of the
gaseous exhaust reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 is based on
detection of
two or more carbon dioxide processing capacity indicators within the reaction
zone 10.
[0096] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust material
18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
any
gaseous exhaust material 18 which is being supplied to the reaction zone 10
defines a
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, when a carbon dioxide
processing
capacity indicator is detected in the reaction zone 10 which is representative
of a capacity
of the reaction zone 10 for receiving an increased molar rate of supply of
carbon dioxide,
the modulating of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24 to
the reaction zone 10 includes initiating the supply of the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate
of supply of
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone
10. In this respect, the modulating is effected in response to the detection
of a carbon
dioxide processing capacity indicator in the reaction zone 10 which is
representative of a
capacity of the reaction zone 10 for receiving an increased molar rate of
supply of carbon
dioxide. In those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, and while
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
some of these embodiments, the process further includes effecting a decrease
to the molar
rate of supply of, or terminating the supply of, the bypass gaseous exhaust
material 60
being supplied to the another unit operation. It is understood that, in some
embodiments,
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the detecting of a capacity indicator which is representative of a capacity of
the reaction
zone 10 for receiving an increased molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide
occurs while
the reaction zone 10 is being supplied with the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24. It is also understood that, in other embodiments, the detecting of
a capacity
indicator which is representative of a capacity of the reaction zone 10 for
receiving an
increased molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide occurs while the reaction
zone 10 is not
being supplied with the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24.
[0097] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust material
18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
while at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being supplied to the
reaction zone
10, wherein the at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 which
is being
supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply
24, when a carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is detected in the
reaction zone
which is representative of a capacity of the reaction zone 10 for receiving a
decreased
molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide, the modulating of the supply of the
gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 includes
reducing the
molar rate of supply of, or terminating the supply of, the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this
respect, the
modulating is effected in response to the detection of a carbon dioxide
processing
capacity indicator in the reaction zone 10 which is representative of a
capacity of the
reaction zone 10 for receiving a decreased molar rate of supply of carbon
dioxide. In
those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to effect supply of the
bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in some of these
embodiments,
the process further includes initiating the supply of the bypass gaseous
exhaust material
60 to the another unit operation, or effecting an increase to the molar rate
of supply of the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation.
[0098] In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator is a pH within the reaction zone 10. Operating with a pH in the
reaction zone
10 which is above the predetermined high pH (indicating an insufficient molar
rate of
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supply of carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 20), or which is below the
predetermined
low pH (indicating an excessive molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the
reaction
zone 10), effects less than a desired growth rate of the phototrophic biomass,
and, in the
extreme, could effect death of the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments,
for
example, the pH which is detected in the reaction zone is detected in the
reaction zone 10
with a pH sensor 46. The pH sensor 46 is provided for detecting the pH within
the
reaction zone, and transmitting a signal representative of the detected pH
within the
reaction zone to the controller.
100991 In some
embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust material 18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
any of
the gaseous exhaust material 18 which is supplied to the reaction zone 10
defines a
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, when a pH is detected in the
reaction
zone 10 that is above a predetermined high pH value, the modulating of the
supply of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10
includes
initiating the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
to the
reaction zone 10, or increasing the molar rate of supply of the gaseous
exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In those
embodiments
where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 is co-
operatively
disposed with another unit operation to effect supply of the bypass gaseous
exhaust
material 60 to the another unit operation, and while the bypass gaseous
exhaust material
60 is being supplied to the another unit operation, in some of these
embodiments, the
process further includes effecting a decrease to the molar rate of supply, or
terminating
the supply, of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the
another unit
operation. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the detecting of a pH
in the
reaction zone 10 that is above a predetermined high pH value occurs when the
reaction
zone 10 is being supplied with the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24. It is
also understood that, in other embodiments, the detecting of a pH in the
reaction zone 10
that is above a predetermined high pH value occurs when the reaction zone 10
is not
being supplied with the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24.
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[00100] In those embodiments when the pH within the reaction zone is above
a
predetermined high pH value, in some of these embodiments, upon the controller
comparing a received signal from the pH sensor 47 which is representative of
the
detected pH within the reaction zone 10 to a target value (ie. the
predetermined high pH
value), and determining that the detected pH within the reaction zone 10 is
above the
predetermined high pH value, the controller responds by effecting initiation
of the supply
of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone
10, or
effecting an increase to the molar rate of supply of the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments,
for
example, the initiation of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply 24
to the reaction zone 10 is effected by actuating opening of the flow control
element 50
with the controller. In some embodiments, for example, the effecting of an
increase to
the molar supply rate of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10 is effected by actuating an increase to the
opening of the
flow control element 50 with the controller. The flow control element 50 is
provided and
configured to selectively control the molar rate of flow of the supply of the
gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 by
selectively interfering
with the flow of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24 to the
reaction zone 10, including by effecting pressure losses to the flow of the
supply of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10. In
this respect,
the initiation of supply, or the increase to the molar rate of supply, of the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by
actuation of the
flow control element 50. The predetermined high pH value depends on the
phototrophic
organisms of the biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined
high
pH value can be as high as 10.
[00101] In those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, and while
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
some of these embodiments, for example, upon the controller determining that
the pH
within the reaction zone 10 is above the predetermined high pH value, the
controller
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further responds by effecting a decrease to the molar rate of supply, or by
effecting
termination of the supply, of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being
supplied to the
another unit operation. In some embodiments, for example, the decrease to the
molar rate
of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the
another unit
operation is effected by the controller by actuating a decrease to the opening
of a valve
disposed between the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the
another unit
operation, wherein the valve is configured to interfere with fluid
communication between
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit
operation. In
some embodiments, for example, the termination of the supply of the bypass
gaseous
exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is effected
by the
controller by actuation closure of a valve disposed between the gaseous
exhaust material
producing process 20 and the another unit operation, wherein the valve is
configured to
interfere with fluid communication between the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20 and the another unit operation.
[00102] Also in
those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation,
and while
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
other ones of these embodiments, for example, the decrease to the molar rate
of supply,
or the termination of supply, of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being
supplied to
the another unit operation is effected when the pressure of the gaseous
exhaust material
18 upstream of the another unit operation is below a predetermined pressure,
wherein the
decrease in pressure is effected in response to an initiation of the supply of
the gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or an
increase to the
molar rate of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, either of which is effected by the
controller in response
to the determination that the detected pH within the reaction zone is above a
predetermined high pH value. In such embodiments, upon the controller
determining that
the detected pH within the reaction zone is above the predetermined high pH
value, the
controller effects an initiation of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or an increase to the molar rate of supply
of the
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gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone 10,
as described above. The initiation of supply of, or the increase to the molar
rate of supply
of, the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone
10 effects a
corresponding decrease in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 such
that the
pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit
operation
becomes disposed below the predetermined pressure. When the pressure of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit operation is below the
predetermined
pressure, the forces biasing closure of a closure element 64 (such as a
valve), disposed
between the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit
operation and configured for interfering with fluid communication between the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation, exceed
the fluid
pressure forces acting to open the closure element 64. In some
implementations, there is
effected a decrease of the opening of the closure element 64, thereby
effecting the
decrease to the molar rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60
being
supplied to the another unit operation. In other implementations, there is
effected closure
of the closure element 64, thereby effecting the termination of supply of the
bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation.
1001031 Also in
those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation,
and while
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
other ones of these embodiments, for example, the decrease to the molar rate
of supply of
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation is
effected when the pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the
another
unit operation is decreased, wherein the decrease in pressure of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 is effected in response to an initiation of the supply of the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or an increase to
the molar rate
of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10, either of which is effected by the controller in response to
the
determination that the detected pH within the reaction zone is above a
predetermined
high pH value. The decrease in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18
upstream of
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the another unit operation effects a decrease in the molar rate of supply of
the bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation.
[00104] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust
material 18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
while at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being supplied to the
reaction zone
10, wherein the at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 which
is being
supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply
24, when a pH is detected in the reaction zone 10 that is below a
predetermined low pH
value, the modulating of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply
24 to the reaction zone 10 includes reducing the molar rate of supply, or
terminating the
supply, of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10. In those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, in some
of these embodiments, for example, the process further includes initiating the
supply of
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, or
effecting an
increase to the molar rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60
being
supplied to the another unit operation.
[00105] In those embodiments where the pH within the reaction zone is below
a
predetermined low pH value, in some of these embodiments, for example, upon
the
controller comparing a received signal from the pH sensor 46 which is
representative of
the detected pH within the reaction zone 10 to a target value (ie, the
predetermined low
pH value), and determining that the detected pH within the reaction zone 10 is
below the
predetermined low pH value, the controller responds by effecting reduction of
the molar
rate of supply of, or effecting termination of the supply of, the gaseous
exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments,
for example, the effected reduction of the molar rate of supply of the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is
effected by
actuating a decrease in the opening of the flow control element 50 (such as a
valve) with
the controller. In some embodiments, for example, the effected termination of
supply of
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the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone
is effected by actuating the closure of a flow control element 50 (such as a
valve) with
the controller. The predetermined low pH value depends on the phototrophic
organisms
of the biomass. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined low pH
value can
be as low as 4Ø
[00106] In those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, in some of
these embodiments, for example, upon the controller determining that the pH
within the
reaction zone 10 is below the predetermined low pH value, the controller
further responds
by effecting initiation of the supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material
60 to the
another unit operation, or effecting an increase to the molar rate of supply
of the bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation. In
some
embodiments, for example, the initiation of the supply of the bypass gaseous
exhaust
material 60 to the another unit operation, or the increase to the molar rate
of supply of the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation is
effected by the controller actuating a valve disposed between the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20 and the another unit operation, wherein the
valve is
configured for interfering with fluid flow between the process 20 and the
another unit
operation. In some implementations, for example, the initiation of the supply
of the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation is effected
by the
controller by actuating the opening of a valve disposed between the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20 and the another unit operation. In some
implementations,
for example, the increase to the molar rate of supply of the bypass gaseous
exhaust
material 60 to the another unit operation is effected by the controller by
actuation of an
increase to the opening of a valve disposed between the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 and the another unit operation.
[00107] Also in those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in
other ones
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of these embodiments, for example, the initiation of the supply of the bypass
gaseous
exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, or an increase in the molar
rate of
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, is effected
when the pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the another
unit
operation is above a predetermined pressure, wherein the increase in pressure
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit operation to above
the
predetermined pressure is effected in response to the reduction of the molar
rate of
supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, either of which is effected
by the
controller in response to the determination that the detected pH within the
reaction zone
is below a predetermined low pH value. In such embodiments, upon the
controller
determining that the detected pH within the reaction zone by the pH sensor 47
is below a
predetermined low pH value, the controller effects a reduction of the molar
rate of
supply, or effects termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, as described above. The
reduction of
the molar rate of supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous
exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 effects a
corresponding
increase in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the
another unit
operation such that the pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream
of the
another unit operation becomes disposed above a predetermined pressure. When
the
pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit
operation is
above the predetermined pressure, the forces biasing closure of a closure
element 64
(such as a valve), disposed between the gaseous exhaust material producing
process 20
and the another unit operation and configured for interfering with fluid
communication
between the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit
operation, are exceeded by the fluid pressure forces of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
acting to open the closure element 64. In some implementations, there is
effected
initiation of the opening of the closure element 64, which effects the
initiation of supply
of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
response to the fluid pressure increase. In other implementations, there is
effected an
increase to the opening of the closure element 64, which effects the increase
to the molar
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rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the
another
unit operation, in response to the fluid pressure increase.
[00108J Also in those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in
other ones
of these embodiments, for example, the increase in the molar rate of supply of
the bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is
effected in
response to the increase in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18
upstream of the
another unit operation, which is effected in response to the reduction of the
molar rate of
supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, either of which is effected
by the
controller in response to the determination that the detected pH within the
reaction zone
is below a predetermined low pH value. In such embodiments, upon the
controller
determining that the detected pH within the reaction zone by the pH sensor 47
is below a
predetermined low pH value, the controller effects a reduction of the molar
rate of
supply, or effects termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, as described above. The
reduction of
the molar rate of supply of, or the termination of the supply of, the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10
effects a
corresponding increase in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream
of the
another unit operation. The increase in pressure of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
upstream of the another unit operation effects the increase in the molar rate
of supply of
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation.
1001091 In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator is a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction
zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, it is desirable to control the molar
concentration of
the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, as, for example, higher
overall
yield of the harvested phototrophic biomass is effected when the molar
concentration of
the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 is maintained at a
predetermined
concentration or within a predetermined concentration range. In some
embodiments, the
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detecting of the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass in the reaction
zone 10 is
effected with a cell counter 47. For example, a suitable cell counter is an AS-
16F Single
Channel Absorption Probe supplied by optek-Danulat, Inc. of Germantown,
Wisconsin,
U.S.A. Other suitable devices for detecting molar concentration of
phototrophic biomass
include other light scattering sensors, such as a spectrophotometer. As well,
the molar
concentration of phototrophic biomass can be detected manually, and then input
manually
into the controller for effecting the desired response.
[001101 In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, while the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20, and while at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18
is being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, wherein the at least a fraction of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 which is being supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24, when a phototrophic biomass concentration is
detected
in the reaction zone 10 that is above a predetermined high molar concentration
of
phototrophic biomass (the "predetermined high target concentration value"),
the
modulating of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply
24 to the
reaction zone 10 includes reducing the molar rate of supply, or terminating
the supply, of
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone
10. In those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to effect
supply of the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, the process
further
includes initiating the supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to
the another
unit operation, or effecting an increase to the molar rate of supply of the
bypass gaseous
exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation.
[00111] In those embodiments where the phototrophic biomass concentration
within
the reaction zone is above the predetermined high concentration target value,
in some of
these embodiments, upon the controller comparing a received signal from the
cell counter
47, which is representative of the detected molar concentration of
phototrophic biomass
within the reaction zone 10, to the predetermined high concentration target
value, and
determining that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the
reaction
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zone 10 is above the predetermined high concentration target value, the
controller
responds by effecting reduction of the molar rate of supply of, or termination
of the
supply of, the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10. In some implementations, for example, the reduction of the
molar rate
of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 is effected by actuating a decrease to the opening the flow
control
element 50 with the controller. In some implementations, for example, the
termination of
the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 is effected by actuating closure of the flow control element
50 with the
controller.
[00112] In those
embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in
some of
these embodiments, for example, upon the controller comparing a received
signal from
the cell counter 47, which is representative of the molar concentration of
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone 10, to the predetermined high concentration
target
value, and determining that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass
within the
reaction zone 10 is above the predetermined high concentration target value,
the
controller further responds by effecting initiation of the supply of the
bypass gaseous
exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, or effecting an increase to
the molar
rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the
another
unit operation. In some embodiments, for example, the initiation of the supply
of the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, or the
increase to the
molar rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied
to the
another unit operation is effected by the controller actuating a valve
disposed between the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation,
wherein
the valve is configured for interfering with fluid flow between the process 20
and the
another unit operation. In some implementations, for example, the initiation
of the
supply the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation is
effected by
the controller by actuation of the opening of the valve disposed between the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation. In some
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implementations, for example, the increase to the molar rate of supply of the
bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is
effected by
the controller by actuation of an increase in the opening of the valve
disposed between
the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit
operation.
[00113] Also in
those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in
other ones
of these embodiments, for example, the initiation of the supply of the bypass
gaseous
exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, or an increase in the molar
rate of
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another
unit
operation, is effected when the pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18
upstream of
the another unit operation is above a predetermined pressure, wherein the
increase in
pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit
operation to
above the predetermined pressure is effected in response to the reduction of
the molar
rate of supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, either of which is
effected by the
controller in response to the determination that the detected molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is above the predetermined high
concentration target value. In such embodiments, upon the controller
determining that
the detected molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction
zone by the
cell counter 47 is above the predetermined high concentration target value,
the controller
effects a reduction of the molar rate of supply, or termination of the supply,
of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone 10,
as described above. The reduction of the molar rate of supply of, or the
termination of
the supply of, the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 effects a corresponding increase in pressure of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 upstream of the another unit operation such that the pressure of
the gaseous
exhaust material 18 becomes disposed above a predetermined pressure. When the
pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is above the predetermined
pressure, the
forces biasing closure of a closure element 64 (such as a valve), disposed
between the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation
and
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configured for interfering with fluid communication between the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20 and the another unit operation, are exceeded by
the fluid
pressure forces acting to open the closure element 64. In some
implementations, there is
effected an initiation of the opening of the closure element 64, thereby
effecting the
initiation of the supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the
another unit
operation. In some implementations, there is effected an increase in the
opening of the
closure element 64, thereby effecting the increase in the molar rate of supply
of the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation.
[00114] Also in
those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in
other ones
of these embodiments, for example, the increase in the molar rate of supply of
the bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is
effected in
response to the increase in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18
upstream of the
another unit operation, which is effected in response to the reduction of the
molar rate of
supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, either of which is effected
by the
controller in response to the determination that the detected molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is above the predetermined high
concentration target value. In such embodiments, upon the controller
determining that
the detected molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction
zone by the
cell counter 47 is above the predetermined high concentration target value,
the controller
effects a reduction of the molar rate of supply, or effects termination of the
supply, of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone 10,
as described above. The reduction of the molar rate of supply of, or the
termination of
the supply of, the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the
reaction zone
effects a corresponding increase in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material
18
upstream of the another unit operation. The increase in pressure of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 upstream of the another unit operation effects the increase in the
molar rate of
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another
unit
operation.
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[00115] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust
material 18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, wherein
any of
the gaseous exhaust material 18 which is being supplied to the reaction zone
10 defines a
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, when a molar concentration
of
phototrophic biomass is detected in the reaction zone 10 that is below a
predetermined
low molar concentration of phototrophic biomass (a "predetermined low
concentration
target value"), the modulating of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 includes initiating the supply of the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or increasing the
molar rate of
supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10. In those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, and while
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
some of these embodiments, the process further includes effecting a decrease
to the molar
rate of supply of, or terminating the supply of, the bypass gaseous exhaust
material 60 to
the another unit operation.
[00116] In those embodiments where the molar concentration of phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone is below the predetermined low concentration
target
value, in some of these embodiments, upon the controller comparing a received
signal
from the cell counter 47, which is representative of the detected molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, to the predetermined low
concentration
target value, and determining that the detected molar concentration of
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone 10 is below the predetermined low
concentration target
value, the controller responds by effecting initiation of the supply of the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or effecting an
increase to the
molar rate of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, this is
effected by
actuating the flow control element 50 with the controller. In some
implementations, the
initiation of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24
to the
reaction zone 10 is effected by actuating opening of the flow control element
50 with the
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controller. In some implementations, the effecting of an increase to the molar
supply rate
of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction
zone 10 is effected by actuating an increase to the opening of the flow
control element 50
with the controller.
1001171 In those
embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, and while
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
some of these embodiments, for example, upon the controller comparing a
received
signal from the cell counter 47, which is representative of the molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, to the low concentration
target value,
and determining that the molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within
the reaction
zone 10 is below the predetermined low concentration target value, the
controller further
responds by effecting a decrease to the molar rate of supply, or by effecting
the
termination of the supply, of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the
another unit
operation. In some embodiments, for example, the decrease to the molar rate of
supply,
or the termination of the supply, of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to
the another
unit operation is effected by the controller by actuation of a valve disposed
between the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation,
wherein
the valve is configured to interfere with fluid communication between the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation. In some
implementations, for example, the decrease to the molar rate of supply of the
bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is
effected by
the controller by actuating a decrease to the opening of a valve disposed
between the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation.
In some
imlpementations, for example, the termination of the supply of the bypass
gaseous
exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is effected
by the
controller by actuating closure of a valve disposed between the gaseous
exhaust material
producing process 20 and the another unit operation.
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[00118] Also in
those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation,
and while
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
other ones of these embodiments, for example, the decrease to the molar rate
of supply of
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation, or
the termination of the supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being
supplied to
the another unit operation, is effected in response to a decrease in pressure
of the gaseous
exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit operation, wherein the
decrease in
pressure is effected in response to an initiation of the supply of the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, or an increase to
the molar rate
of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10, either of which is effected by the controller in response to
the
determination that the detected molar concentration of phototrophic biomass
within the
reaction zone is below the predetermined low concentration target value. The
pressure
decrease is such that the pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream
of the
another unit operation is below a predetermined minimum pressure, and the
forces
biasing closure of a closure element 64 (such as a valve), disposed between
the gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20 and the another unit operation and
configured for
interfering with fluid communication between the gaseous exhaust material
producing
process 20 and the another unit operation, exceed the fluid pressure forces of
the gaseous
exhaust material 18 acting to open the closure element 64. In some
implementations,
there is effected a decrease in the opening of the closure element 64, which
effects the
decrease to the molar rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60
to the
another unit operation, in response to the decrease in the pressure of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 upstream of the another unit operation. In other implementations,
there is
effected a closure of the closure element 64, which effects the termination of
the supply
of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation, in
response to the
decrease in the pressure of the gaseous exhaust material 18 upstream of the
another unit
operation.
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[00119] Also in those embodiments where the outlet of the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20 is co-operatively disposed with another unit operation to
effect
supply of bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation,
and while
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is being supplied to the another unit
operation, in
other ones of these embodiments, for example, the decrease to the molar rate
of supply of
the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit
operation is
effected in response to a decrease in pressure of the gaseous exhaust material
18 upstream
of the another unit operation, wherein the decrease in pressure is effected in
response to
an initiation of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24 to the
reaction zone 10, or an increase to the molar rate of supply of the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10,
either of which is
effected by the controller in response to the determination that the detected
molar
concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone is below the
predetermined low concentration target value. The decrease in pressure of the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 upstream of the another unit operation effects a decrease
in the molar
rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the
another
unit operation.
[00120] In some embodiments, for example, the modulating of the bypass
gaseous
exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation is effected while the
modulating of the
supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction
zone 10 is
being effected. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, the
initiation of the
supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 to the another unit
operation, or the
increase to the molar rate of supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60
being
supplied to the another unit operation, is effected while the decrease in the
molar rate of
supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is being effected. Also in
this respect,
the decrease to the molar rate of supply, or the termination of the supply, of
the bypass
gaseous exhaust material 60 being supplied to the another unit operation is
effected while
the initiation of the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24, or the
increase in the molar rate of supply, of the gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply
24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, is being effected.
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[00121] In some embodiments, for example, the flow control element 50 is a
flow
control valve. In some embodiments, for example, the flow control element 50
is a three-
way valve which also regulates the supply of a supplemental gas-comprising
material 48,
which is further described below.
[00122] In some embodiments, for example, the closure element 64 is any one
of a
valve, a damper, or a stack cap.
[00123] In some embodiments, for example, when the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as a flow, the
flowing of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is at least partially
effected by a prime
mover 38. For such embodiments, examples of a suitable prime mover 38 include
a
blower, a compressor, a pump (for pressurizing liquids including the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24), and an air pump. In some embodiments, for
example,
the prime mover 38 is a variable speed blower and the prime mover 38 also
functions as
the flow control element 50 which is configured to selectively control the
flow rate of the
reaction zone feed material 22 and define such flow rate.
[00124] In some embodiments, for example, the another unit operation is a
smokestack 62. The smokestack 62 is configured to receive the bypass gaseous
exhaust
material 60 supplied from the outlet of the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20. When operational, the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is disposed at a
pressure
that is sufficiently high so as to effect flow through the smokestack 62. In
some of these
embodiments, for example, the flow of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60
through
the smokestack 62 is directed to a space remote from the outlet of the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20. Also in some of these embodiments, for example,
the
bypass gaseous exhaust material 60 is supplied from the outlet when the
pressure of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure. In such
embodiments, for example, the exceeding of the predetermined maximum pressure
by the
gaseous exhaust material 18 effects an opening of the closure element 64, to
thereby
effect supply of the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60.
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[00125] In some embodiments, for example, the smokestack 62 is provided to
direct
the bypass fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 to a space remote from
the outlet
which discharges the gaseous exhaust material 18 from the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, in response to a detected carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator which is representative of a capacity of the reaction zone 10 for
receiving a
decreased molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide from the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24, so as to mitigate against a gaseous discharge of an
unacceptable
carbon dioxide concentration to the environment.
[00126] In some embodiments, for example, the smokestack 62 is an existing
smokestack 62 which has been modified to accommodate lower throughput of
gaseous
flow as provided by the bypass gaseous exhaust material 60. In this respect,
in some
embodiments, for example, an inner liner is inserted within the smokestack 62
to
accommodate the lower throughput.
[00127] In some embodiments, for example, the another unit operation is a
separator
which effects removal of carbon dioxide from the bypass gaseous exhaust
material 60. In
some embodiments, for example, the separator is a gas absorber.
[00128] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust
material 18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
while at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being supplied to the
reaction zone
10, wherein the at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 which
is being
supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply
24, when a carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is detected in the
reaction zone
which is representative of a capacity of the reaction zone 10 for receiving a
decreased
molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide, (for example, a detected pH within the
reaction
zone that is below a predetermined low pH value, or a detected molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone that is above a predetermined
high molar
concentration of phototrophic biomass), and the modulating of the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24, in response to the detecting of the carbon
dioxide
processing capacity indicator which is representative of a capacity of the
reaction zone 10
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for receiving a decreased molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide, includes
reducing the
molar rate of supply, or terminating the supply, of the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, the process further
includes
initiating the supply of a supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the
reaction zone
10, or increasing the molar rate of supply of a supplemental gas-comprising
material 48
being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[00129] The molar concentration of carbon dioxide, if any, of the
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 is lower than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being supplied to the
reaction zone 10
from the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In some embodiments,
for
example, the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the supplemental gas
material 48
is less than 3 mole % based on the total moles of the supplemental gas
material 48. In
some embodiments, for example, the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of
the
supplemental gas material 48 is less than 1 (one) mole % based on the total
moles of the
supplemental gas material 48. In some embodiments, for example, the
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 as a fraction of
the reaction
zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone
feed
material 22 is a gaseous material. In some embodiments, for example, the
reaction zone
feed material 22 includes a dispersion of gaseous material in a liquid
material.
[00130] In some embodiments, for example, the molar supply rate reduction,
or the
termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24, being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, effected by the modulating of the supply of
the gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone, co-operates
with the
supplying of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone
10 to
effect a reduction in the molar rate of supply, or the termination of supply,
of carbon
dioxide being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for
example, the
initiation of the supply, or the increase to the molar rate of supply, of the
bypass gaseous
exhaust material 60 to the another unit operation is effected while the
decrease in the
molar rate of supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is being
effected, and
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while the initiating of the supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material
48 to the
reaction zone 10, or the increasing of the molar rate of supply, of the
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, is being
effected.
1001311 In some of these embodiments, and as described above, the flow
control
element 50 is a three-way valve, and is operative to modulate supply of the
supplemental
gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone, in combination with the
modulation of
the supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the
reaction zone
10, in response to the carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator. In this
respect, when
a carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is detected in the reaction
zone 10 which
is representative of a capacity of the reaction zone for receiving a decreased
molar rate of
supply of carbon dioxide, (for example, a detected pH within the reaction zone
that is
below a predetermined low pH value, or a detected molar concentration of
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone that is above a predetermined high molar
concentration
of phototrophic biomass), the controller responds by actuating the valve 50 to
initiate the
supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10,
or
increase the molar rate of supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material
48 being
supplied to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, while the supplemental
gas-
comprising material 48 is being supplied to the reaction zone 10, when a
carbon dioxide
processing capacity indicator is detected in the reaction zone 10 which is
representative
of a capacity of the reaction zone for receiving an increased molar rate of
supply of
carbon dioxide (for example, a detected pH within the reaction zone that is
above a
predetermined high pH value, or a detected molar concentration of phototrophic
biomass
within the reaction zone that is below a predetermined low molar concentration
of
phototrophic biomass), the controller responds by actuating the valve 50 to
reduce the
molar rate of supply, or terminate the supply, of the supplemental gas-
comprising
material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone 10.
[00132] In some embodiments, for example, while the gaseous exhaust
material 18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and
while at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being supplied to the
reaction zone
10, wherein the at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 which
is being
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supplied to the reaction zone 10 defines a gaseous exhaust material reaction
zone supply
24, and there is effected a reduction in the molar rate of supply, or the
termination of the
supply, of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied
to the
reaction zone 10, the process further includes initiating the supply of a
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48, or increasing the molar rate of supply of a
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48, to the reaction zone 10.
1001331 In some
embodiments, for example, the initiating of the supply of a
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10, or the
increasing of the
molar rate of supply of a supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10 is effected in response to the detection of the reduction in
the molar rate
of supply of, or the termination of the supply of, the gaseous exhaust
material reaction
zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, or of an indication of
the reduction
in the molar rate of supply of, or the termination of the supply of, the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the reaction zone 10. For
example,
the reduction in the molar rate of supply of, or the termination of the supply
of, the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being supplied to the
reaction zone 10
being effected in response to the detecting of the carbon dioxide processing
capacity
indicator which is representative of a capacity of the reaction zone 10 for
receiving a
decreased molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide, is described above. In some
embodiments, for example, a flow sensor is provided for detecting the molar
flow rate of
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, and transmitting a
signal
representative of the detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction
zone supply 24 to the controller. Upon the controller comparing a received
signal from
the flow sensor which is representative of a currently detected molar flow
rate of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24, to a previously received
signal
representative of a previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24, and determining that a decrease in the molar flow
rate of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 has been effected, the
controller
actuates the opening of a flow control element, such as a valve (for example,
valve 50), to
initiate supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction
zone 10
from a source of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48, or to effect
increasing of
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the molar rate of supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being
supplied
to the reaction zone 10 from a source of the supplemental gas-comprising
material 48.
[00134] In other ones of these embodiments, the reduction in the molar rate
of
supply, or the termination of the supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by a reduction in the molar rate
at which the
gaseous exhaust material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20. In some of these embodiments, for example, the
corresponding
initiating of the supply of a supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to the
reaction zone
10, or the corresponding increasing of the molar rate of supply of a
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone 10 is effected in
response to
the detection of the reduction in the molar rate at which the gaseous exhaust
material 18
is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, or
of an
indication of the reduction in the molar rate at which the gaseous exhaust
material 18 is
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In some
embodiments, for example, a flow sensor is provided for detecting the molar
flow rate of
the gaseous exhaust material 18, and transmitting a signal representative of
the detected
molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18 to the controller. Upon the
controller
comparing a received signal from the flow sensor which is representative of a
currently
detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18, to a previously
received
signal representative of a previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18, and determining that a decrease in the molar flow rate of the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 has been effected, the controller actuates the opening of a flow
control
element, such as a valve (for example, valve 50), to initiate supply of the
supplemental
gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10 from a source of the
supplemental
gas-comprising material 48, or to effect increasing of the molar rate of
supply of the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone 10
from a
source of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48.
[00135] In some embodiments, for example, the exposing of the phototrophic
biomass disposed in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically active light
radiation is
effected while the initiation of the supply of the supplemental gas-comprising
material 48
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to the reaction zone 10, or the increasing of the molar rate of supply of the
supplemental
gas-comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10, is being effected. In some
embodiments, for example, the modulation of the supply of the supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by the flow control
element 50,
for example, upon actuation by the controller. In some embodiments, the
actuation by
the controller is effected when a detected molar flow rate of the gaseous
exhaust material
18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, is
compared
to a previously detected molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust material 18
being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and it is
determined
that there has been a decrease in the molar flow rate of the gaseous exhaust
material 18
being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20.
[00136] With
respect to any of the above-described embodiments of the process
where there is the reduction in the molar rate of supply, or the termination
of supply, of
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10,
and where
there is initiated the supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48
to the
reaction zone 10, or the increase to the molar rate of supply of the
supplemental gas-
comprising material 48 to the reaction zone 10, in some of these embodiments,
for
example, the initiation of the supply of the supplemental gas-comprising
material 48 to
the reaction zone 10, or the increasing of the molar rate of supply of the
supplemental
gas-comprising material 48 being supplied to the reaction zone 10, at least
partially
compensates for the reduction in molar supply rate of material (such as
material of the
reaction zone feed material 22), or the termination of supply of material
(such as material
of the reaction zone feed material 22), to the reaction zone 10 which is
effected by the
reduction in the molar rate of supply, or by the termination of supply, of the
gaseous
exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments,
for example, the compensation for the reduction in molar supply rate of
material (such as
material of the reaction zone feed material 22), or for the termination of
supply of
material (such as material of the reaction zone feed material 22), to the
reaction zone 10
which is effected by the reduction in the molar rate of supply, or by the
termination of
supply, of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the
reaction zone 10,
as effected by the initiation of the supply, or the increasing of the molar
rate of supply, of
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the supplemental gas-comprising material 48, effects substantially no change
to the molar
rate of supply of material (such as material of the reaction zone feed
material 22) to the
reaction zone 10.
[00137] In some embodiments, the combination of: (a) the reduction of the
molar rate
of supply, or the termination of supply, of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 to the reaction zone 10, and (b) the initiation of the supply, or
the increase to
the molar rate of supply, of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 to
the reaction
zone 10, mitigates against the reduced agitation of the reaction zone 10
attributable to the
reduction in the molar rate of supply, or the termination of supply, of the
gaseous exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments,
for
example, the combination of the supplemental gas-comprising material and any
of the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is supplied to the reaction
zone as at
least a fraction of the reaction zone feed material 22, and the reaction zone
feed material
22 is supplied to the reaction zone 10 and effects agitation of material in
the reaction zone
such that any difference in the molar concentration of the phototrophic
biomass between
any two points in the reaction zone 10 is less than 20%. In some embodiments,
for
example, the effected agitation is such that any difference in the molar
concentration of
the phototrophic biomass between any two points in the reaction zone 10 is
less than
10%. The supply of the supplemental gas-comprising material 48 is provided to
mitigate
against the creation of a phototrophic biomass concentration gradient between
any two
points in the reaction zone above a desired maximum.
[00138] In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental gas-comprising
material 48 is a gaseous material. In some of these embodiments, for example,
the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 includes a dispersion of gaseous
material in a
liquid material. In some of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental
gas-
comprising material 48 includes air. In some of these embodiments, for
example, the
supplemental gas-comprising material 48 is provided as a flow.
[00139] In some circumstances, it is desirable to grow phototrophic biomass
using
carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged from the
gaseous
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exhaust material producing process 20, but the molar concentration of carbon
dioxide in
the discharged gaseous exhaust material 18 is excessive for effecting a
desired growth
rate of the phototrophic biomass. In this respect, when a reaction zone feed
material 22 is
supplied to the reaction zone 10, and the reaction zone feed material 22 is
supplied by the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being discharged by the
gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20, such that the gaseous exhaust material
reaction
zone supply 24 defines at least a fraction of the reaction zone feed material
22, the
phototrophic biomass may respond adversely when exposed to the reaction zone
feed
material 22, if the carbon dioxide concentration of the reaction zone feed
material 22 is
excessive, such carbon dioxide concentration being at least partly
attributable to the
molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 from
which the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is derived.
[00140] In other circumstances, when a reaction zone feed material 22 is
supplied to
the reaction zone 10, and the reaction zone feed material 22 is supplied by
the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92, such that the supplemental carbon
dioxide supply
92 defines at least a fraction of the reaction zone feed material 22, the
supplemental
carbon dioxide supply 92 may include a relatively high concentration of carbon
dioxide
(such as greater than 90 mol % carbon dioxide based on the total moles of
supplemental
carbon dioxide supply 92), such that the phototrophic biomass may respond
adversely
when exposed to the reaction zone feed material 22.
[00141] In this respect, in one aspect, carbon dioxide is supplied to the
reaction zone
10, and the supplied carbon dioxide defines the reaction zone carbon dioxide
supply. A
carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A is provided, wherein the carbon dioxide
concentrated supply 25A includes the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply. The
carbon
dioxide concentrated supply 25A is admixed with a supplemental gaseous
dilution agent
90. The admixing effects production of a diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B,
wherein the
molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B
is less
than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the carbon dioxide
concentrate supply
25A. At least a fraction of the diluted carbon dioxide zone supply 25B is
supplied to the
reaction zone 10. The molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the
supplemental
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gaseous dilution agent 90 is less than the molar concentration of carbon
dioxide of the
carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A. In some embodiments, for example, the
reaction zone carbon dioxide supply includes, or is defined by, carbon dioxide
discharged
by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. In some embodiments, for
example, the reaction zone carbon dioxide supply includes, or is defined by,
the
supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92.
[00142] In another aspect, while the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being
discharged
by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, a carbon dioxide
concentrated
supply 25A is admixed with the supplemental gaseous dilution agent 90, wherein
the
carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A includes a gaseous exhaust material-
derived
supply 24A, wherein the gaseous exhaust material-derived supply 24A is defined
by at
least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18 which is being discharged
by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20. The admixing effects production
of a
diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B, wherein the molar concentration of carbon
dioxide of
the diluted carbon dioxide zone supply 25B is less than the molar
concentration of carbon
dioxide of the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A. At least a fraction of
the diluted
carbon dioxide supply 25B is supplied to the reaction zone 10. The molar
concentration
of carbon dioxide of the supplemental gaseous dilution agent 90 is less than
the molar
concentration of carbon dioxide of the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A.
In some
of these embodiments, for example, the exposing of the phototrophic biomass
disposed
in the reaction zone 10 to photosynthetically active light radiation is
effected while the
admixing of the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A with the supplemental
gaseous
dilution agent 90 is being effected. In some embodiments, for example, the
carbon
dioxide concentrated supply 25A is defined by the gaseous exhaust material-
derived
supply 24A. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide concentrated
supply
25A includes the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92. In some of these
embodiments,
for example. the supplying of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
carbon
dioxide concentrated supply 25A is being effected while the admixing is being
effected.
1001431 In some embodiments, for example, the diluted carbon dioxide supply
25B
includes a molar concentration of carbon dioxide that is below a predetermined
maximum
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molar concentration of carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, for example, the
predetermined maximum molar concentration of carbon dioxide is at least 30
mol%
based on the total moles of the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B. In some
embodiments, for example, the predetermined maximum molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide is at least 20 mol% based on the total moles of the diluted carbon
dioxide supply
25B. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined maximum molar
concentration of carbon dioxide is at least 10 mol% based on the total moles
of the
diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B.
[00144] In some
embodiments, for example, the admixing of the supplemental
gaseous dilution agent 90 with the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A is
effected in
response to detection of a molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 being discharged from the carbon dioxide producing process 20 that
is greater
than a predetermined maximum molar concentration of carbon dioxide. In some
embodiments, for example, the predetermined maximum molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide is at least 10 mole % based on the total moles of the gaseous exhaust
material 18.
In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined maximum molar
concentration of
carbon dioxide is at least 20 mole % based on the total moles of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined maximum molar
concentration of carbon dioxide is at least 30 mole % based on the total moles
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18. In this respect, in some embodiments, for
example, a
carbon dioxide sensor 781 is provided for detecting the molar concentration of
carbon
dioxide of the gaseous exhaust material 18 being discharged, and transmitting
a signal
representative of the molar concentration of carbon dioxide of the gaseous
exhaust
material 18 being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20, to
the controller. Upon the controller comparing a received signal from the
carbon dioxide
sensor 781, which is representative of a detected molar concentration of
carbon dioxide
of the gaseous exhaust material 18, to a predetermined maximum molar
concentration of
carbon dioxide, and determining that the molar concentration of carbon dioxide
of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 is greater than the predetermined maximum molar
concentration of carbon dioxide, the controller actuates opening of, or an
increase to the
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opening of, a control valve 901 which effects supply of the supplemental
gaseous dilution
agent 90 for admixing with the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A.
[00145] In some
embodiments, for example, while carbon dioxide is being
discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at
least a
fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10,
wherein the at least a fraction of the discharged carbon dioxide which is
being supplied to
the reaction zone 10 defines a discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply,
when an
indication of a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon
dioxide
reaction zone supply to the reaction zone 10 is detected, either the molar
rate of supply of
a supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 being supplied to the reaction zone 10
is
increased, or supply of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to the
reaction zone 10
is initiated. While the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 is being
supplied to a
carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A, in response to the detection of the
indication of
a decrease in the molar rate of supply of the discharged carbon dioxide
reaction zone
supply to the reaction zone 10, such that at least a fraction of the carbon
dioxide
concentrated supply 25A is defined by the supplemental carbon dioxide supply
92, and
while at least a fraction of the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A is
being supplied
to the reaction zone 10, the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A is admixed
with the
supplemental gaseous dilution agent 90 to effect production of the diluted
carbon dioxide
supply 25B. In some embodiments, for example, the source of the supplemental
carbon
dioxide supply 92 is a carbon dioxide cylinder. In some embodiments, for
example, the
source of the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 is a supply of air. In
some of these
embodiments, the exposing of the phototrophic biomass disposed in the reaction
zone 10
to photosynthetically active light radiation is effected while the carbon
dioxide
concentrated supply 25A is admixed with the supplemental carbon dioxide supply
92 to
effect production of the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B, and while at least
a fraction
of the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10. In
some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A is
admixed
with the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92 to effect production of the
diluted carbon
dioxide supply 25B such that the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B includes a
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide below the predetermined maximum concentration
of
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carbon dioxide. In some embodiments, for example, the admixing is effect in
response to
the detection of a molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide
concentrated supply 25A (which includes the supplemental carbon dioxide supply
92)
that is above the predetermined maximum molar concentration of carbon dioxide.
In
some embodiments, for example, the indication of a decrease in the molar rate
of supply
of the discharged carbon dioxide reaction zone supply to the reaction zone 10
is any of
the indications described above. In some embodiments, for example, the
supplemental
carbon dioxide supply 92 is provided for compensating for the decrease in the
molar rate
of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 being
supplied to the
reaction zone 10, with a view to sustaining a constant growth rate of the
phototrophic
biomass, when it is believed that the decrease is only of a temporary nature
(such as less
than two weeks).
[00146] In those
embodiments where the carbon dioxide concentrated supply 25A
includes the supplemental carbon dioxide supply 92, and the carbon dioxide
concentrated
supply 25A is being admixed with the supplemental gaseous dilution agent 90 to
produce
the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B, and at least a fraction of the diluted
carbon
dioxide supply 25B is supplied to the reaction zone, the admixing of the
carbon dioxide
concentrated supply 25A with the supplemental gaseous dilution agent 90 is
configured
to produce the diluted carbon dioxide supply 25B including a predetermined
molar
concentration of carbon dioxide.
[00147] In some
embodiments, for example, the supplemental gaseous dilution agent
90 is gaseous material. In some embodiments, for example, the supplemental
gaseous
dilution agent 90 includes air. In some embodiments, for example, the
supplemental
gaseous dilution agent 90 is being supplied to the carbon dioxide concentrated
supply
25A as a flow.
[00148] The
reaction mixture disposed in the reaction zone 10 is exposed to
photosynthetically active light radiation so as to effect photosynthesis.
The
photosynthesis effects growth of the phototrophic biomass. In some
embodiments, for
example, there is provided the carbon dioxide-enriched phototrophic biomass
disposed in
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the aqueous medium, and the carbon dioxide-enriched phototrophic biomass
disposed in
the aqueous medium is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation so
as to effect
photosynthesis.
[00149] In some embodiments, for example, the light radiation is
characterized by a
wavelength of between 400-700 nm. In some embodiments, for example, the light
radiation is in the form of natural sunlight. In some embodiments, for
example, the light
radiation is provided by an artificial light source 14. In some embodiments,
for example,
light radiation includes natural sunlight and artificial light.
[00150] In some embodiments, for example, the intensity of the provided
light is
controlled so as to align with the desired growth rate of the phototrophic
biomass in the
reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, regulation of the intensity of the
provided light
is based on measurements of the growth rate of the phototrophic biomass in the
reaction
zone 10. In some embodiments, regulation of the intensity of the provided
light is based
on the molar rate of supply of carbon dioxide to the reaction zone feed
material 22.
[00151] In some embodiments, for example, the light is provided at pre-
determined
wavelengths, depending on the conditions of the reaction zone 10. Having said
that,
generally, the light is provided in a blue light source to red light source
ratio of 1:4. This
ratio varies depending on the phototrophic organism being used. As well, this
ratio may
vary when attempting to simulate daily cycles. For example, to simulate dawn
or dusk,
more red light is provided, and to simulate mid-day condition, more blue light
is
provided. Further, this ratio may be varied to simulate artificial recovery
cycles by
providing more blue light.
[00152] It has been found that blue light stimulates algae cells to rebuild
internal
structures that may become damaged after a period of significant growth, while
red light
promotes algae growth. Also, it has been found that omitting green light from
the
spectrum allows algae to continue growing in the reaction zone 10 even beyond
what has
previously been identified as its "saturation point" in water, so long as
sufficient carbon
dioxide and, in some embodiments, other nutrients, are supplied.
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[00153] With
respect to artificial light sources, for example, suitable artificial light
source 14 include submersible fiber optics, light-emitting diodes, LED strips
and
fluorescent lights. Any LED strips known in the art can be adapted for use in
the process.
In the case of the submersible LEDs, the design includes the use of solar
powered
batteries to supply the electricity. In the case of the submersible LEDs, in
some
embodiments, for example, energy sources include alternative energy sources,
such as
wind, photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, etc. to supply electricity to the LEDs.
[00154] With
respect to those embodiments where the reaction zone 10 is disposed in
a photobioreactor 12 which includes a tank, in some of these embodiments, for
example,
the light energy is provided from a combination of sources, as follows.
Natural light
source 16 in the form of solar light is captured though solar collectors and
filtered with
custom mirrors that effect the provision of light of desired wavelengths to
the reaction
zone 10. The filtered light from the solar collectors is then transmitted
through light
guides or fiber optic materials into the photobioreactor 12, where it becomes
dispersed
within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, in addition to solar light,
the light
tubes in the photobioreactor 12 contains high power LED arrays that can
provide light at
specific wavelengths to either complement solar light, as necessary, or to
provide all of
the necessary light to the reaction zone 10 during periods of darkness (for
example, at
night). In some embodiments, with respect to the light guides, for example, a
transparent
heat transfer medium (such as a glycol solution) is circulated through light
guides within
the photobioreactor 12 so as to regulate the temperature in the light guides
and, in some
circumstances, provide for the controlled dissipation of heat from the light
guides and
into the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the LED power
requirements can be predicted and, therefore, controlled, based on trends
observed with
respect to the gaseous exhaust material 18, as these observed trends assist in
predicting
future growth rate of the phototrophic biomass.
[00155] In some
embodiments, the exposing of the reaction mixture to
photosynthetically active light radiation is effected while the supplying of
the reaction
feed material 22 is being effected.
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[00156] In some embodiments, for example, the growth rate of the
phototrophic
biomass is dictated by the available gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24
(defining the at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust material 18
discharged by the
gaseous exhaust material producing process 20 and being supplied to the
reaction zone
10). In turn, this defines the nutrient, water, and light intensity
requirements to maximize
phototrophic biomass growth rate. In some embodiments, for example, a
controller, e.g.
a computer-implemented system, is provided to be used to monitor and control
the
operation of the various components of the process disclosed herein, including
lights,
valves, sensors, blowers, fans, dampers, pumps, etc.
[00157] Reaction zone product 500 is discharged from the reaction zone. The
reaction zone product 500 includes phototrophic biomass 58. In some
embodiments, for
example, the reaction zone product 500 includes at least a fraction of the
contents of the
reaction zone 10. In this respect, the discharge of the reaction zone product
500 effects
harvesting of the phototrophic biomass. In some embodiments, for example, a
reaction
zone gaseous effluent product 80 is also discharged from the reaction zone 10.
[00158] In some embodiments, for example, the process includes modulating
of the
molar rate of discharge of phototrophic biomass based on the detection of a
phototrophic
biomass growth indicator.
[00159] The reaction mixture, in the form of a production purpose reaction
mixture
that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to
photosynthetically active
light radiation, is disposed within the reaction zone 10. The production
purpose reaction
mixture includes phototrophic biomass in the form of production purpose
phototrophic
biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone 10. In this
respect, a
reaction zone concentration of production purpose phototrophic biomass is
provided in
the reaction zone 10. While the reaction mixture disposed in the reaction zone
10 is
exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation and growth of the
production purpose
phototrophic biomass is being effected within the reaction mixture, and while
production
purpose phototrophic biomass is discharging from the reaction zone 10, when a
difference between a phototrophic biomass growth indicator from within the
reaction
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zone and a predetermined phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value is
detected,
the process includes modulating the molar rate of discharge of the production
purposes
phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10, wherein the predetermined
phototrophic
biomass growth indicator target value is correlated with a predetermined molar
growth
rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction
mixture which is
disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the
photosynthetically
active light radiation. The effected growth of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass includes growth effected by photosynthesis. In some embodiments, for
example,
the growth includes that effected by metabolic processes that consume
supplemental
nutrients disposed within the reaction mixture.
[00160] The predetermined phototrophic biomass growth indicator target
value
corresponds to the phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value at which
the molar
growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass, within the
reaction mixture
which is disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the
photosynthetically active light radiation, is the predetermined molar growth
rate.
[00161] In some embodiments, for example, the effected growth of the
production
purpose phototrophic biomass is being effected within 10% of the predetermined
growth
rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction
mixture which is
disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to
photosynthetically active
light radiation. In some embodiments, the effected growth of the production
purpose
phototrophic biomass is being effected within 5% of the predetermined growth
rate of the
production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which is
disposed
within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the photosynthetically
active light
radiation. In some embodiments, the effected growth of the production purpose
phototrophic biomass is being effected within 1% of the predetennined growth
rate of the
production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which is
disposed
within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the photosynthetically
active light
radiation.
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[00162] In some embodiments, for example, the modulating is effected in
response to
comparing of a detected phototrophic biomass growth indicator to the
predetermined
phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value.
[00163] In some embodiments, for example, the process further includes
detecting a
phototrophic biomass growth indicator to provide the detected phototrophic
biomass
growth indicator.
[00164] In some embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass growth
indicator is a molar concentration of the phototrophic biomass within the
reaction mixture
disposed within the reaction zone 10.
[00165] In some embodiments, for example, the detected phototrophic biomass
growth indicator is representative of the molar concentration of the
production purpose
phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction
zone 10.
In this respect, in some of these embodiments, for example, the detected
phototrophic
biomass growth indicator is the molar concentration of the production purpose
phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction
zone 10.
In other ones of these embodiments, for example, the detected phototrophic
biomass
growth indicator is the molar concentration of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone product 500. In some embodiments, for
example, the
detecting of the concentration is effected by a cell counter 47. For example,
a suitable
cell counter is an AS-16F Single Channel Absorption Probe supplied by optek-
Danulat,
Inc. of Germantown, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Other suitable devices for detecting a
molar
concentration of phototrophic biomass indication include other light
scattering sensors,
such as a spectrophotometer. As well, the molar concentration of phototrophic
biomass
can be detected manually, and then input manually into a controller for
effecting the
desired response.
[00166] In some embodiments, for example, the effecting of the growth of
the
phototrophic biomass includes supplying carbon dioxide to the reaction zone 10
and
exposing the production purpose reaction mixture to photosynthetically active
light
radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the supplied carbon dioxide is
supplied
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from the gaseous exhaust material 18 of the gaseous exhaust material producing
process
20. In some embodiments, for example, the supplied carbon dioxide is supplied
from the
gaseous exhaust material 18 of the gaseous exhaust material producing process
20 while
the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust
material
producing process 20, and while at least a fraction of the gaseous exhaust
material 18 is
being supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22 (as the gaseous exhaust
material
reaction zone supply 24), and while the reaction zone feed material 22 is
being supplied
to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example,
the carbon
dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone 10 while the growth is being
effected, wherein at
least a fraction of the carbon dioxide being supplied to the reaction zone 10
is supplied
from a gaseous exhaust material 18 while the gaseous exhaust material 18 is
being
discharged from a gaseous exhaust material producing process 20.
[00167] In some embodiments, for example, the production purpose reaction
mixture
further includes water and carbon dioxide.
[00168] In some of these embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar
rate of
growth of the phototrophic biomass is based upon the maximum molar rate of
growth of
the phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which is disposed within
the
reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the photosynthetically active light
radiation, as
described above.
[00169] In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar growth
rate of
the production purpose phototrophic biomass is at least 90% of the maximum
molar
growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction
mixture
which is disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the
photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example,
the
predetermined molar growth rate is at least 95% of the maximum molar growth
rate of
the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which
is
disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the
photosynthetically
active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example, the predetermined
molar
growth rate is at least 99% of the maximum molar growth rate of the production
purpose
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phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which is disposed within the
reaction
zone 10 and is being exposed to the photosynthetically active light radiation.
In some
embodiments, for example, the predetermined molar growth rate is equivalent to
the
maximum molar growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass
within the
reaction mixture which is disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being
exposed to
the photosynthetically active light radiation.
1001701 In some embodiments, for example, while the modulating of the molar
rate
of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic biomass from the reaction
zone 10 is
being effected, the volume of the reaction mixture disposed within the
reaction zone is
maintained constant or substantially constant for a time period of at least
one (1) hour. In
some embodiments, for example, the time period is at least six (6) hours. In
some
embodiments, for example, the time period is at least 24 hours. In some
embodiments,
for example, the time period is at least seven (7) days. In some embodiments,
for
example, while the modulating is being effected, the volume of the reaction
mixture
disposed within the reaction zone is maintained constant or substantially
constant for the
a period of time such that the predetermined phototrophic biomass growth
indicator
value, as well as the predetermined molar rate of growth of phototrophic
biomass, is
maintained constant or substantially constant during this period, with a view
to
optimizing economic efficiency of the process.
[00171] In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone 10 is disposed
within a
photobioreactor 10, and the production purpose phototrophic biomass is
discharged from
the photobioreactor 12 (and reaction zone 10) by displacement effected in
response to
supplying of an aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10. In other
words, the
supplying of an aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 effects
displacement of
the production purpose phototrophic biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and
the
reaction zone 10), thereby effecting discharge of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and the reaction zone 10). In some
embodiments,
for example, the production purpose phototrophic biomass is discharged from
the
photobioreactor 12 by displacement as an overflow from the photobioreactor 12.
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[001721 In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4
includes
substantially no phototrophic biomass. In other embodiments, for example, the
aqueous
feed material includes phototrophic biomass at a molar concentration less than
the molar
concentration of phototrophic biomass disposed within the reaction mixture
disposed
within the reaction zone 10.
[00173] In some embodiments, for example, with respect to the aqueous feed
material 4, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied as a flow from a source 6
of aqueous
feed material 4. For example, the flow is effected by a prime mover, such as
pump. In
some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material includes the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44. As described above, in some embodiments, for
example, at
least a fraction of the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied
from a
container 28. In this respect, in those embodiments where the supplemental
aqueous
material supply 44 is included within the aqueous feed material, the container
functions
as the source 6 of the aqueous feed material 4.
[001741 In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4
includes the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 and the supplemental aqueous material supply
44. In
some of these embodiments, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied to the
reaction zone
feed material 22 upstream of the reaction zone 10. In this respect, and
referring to Figure
2, and as described above, in some of these embodiments, the supplemental
nutrient
supply 42 and the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 are supplied to the
reaction
zone feed material 22 through the sparger 40 upstream of the reaction zone 10.
100175] In some embodiments, for example, when the detected phototrophic
biomass
growth indicator is a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the
reaction
mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10, and the detected molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction
zone 10 is
less than the predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target
value, the
modulating includes effecting a decrease in the molar rate of discharge of the
production
purpose phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10. In some of these
embodiments,
for example, the production purpose phototrophic biomass is discharged by
displacement
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from the reaction zone 10 in response to the supplying of the aqueous feed
material 4 to
the reaction zone 10, and the decrease in the molar rate of discharge of the
production
purpose phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 is effected by
effecting a
decrease in the molar rate of supply of, or termination of the supply of, the
aqueous feed
material 4 to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, when the production
purpose
phototrophic biomass is discharged by such displacement, in some embodiments,
for
example, when the detected phototrophic biomass growth indicator is a molar
concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture disposed
within the
reaction zone 10, upon comparing the detected molar concentration of
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10,
which is
detected by the cell counter 47, with the predetermined phototrophic biomass
molar
concentration target value, and determining that the detected molar
concentration is less
than the predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value,
the
controller responds by effecting a decrease in the molar rate of supply of, or
termination
of supply of, the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, which
thereby effects a
decrease in the molar rate of discharge of, or termination of, the production
purpose
phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for
example, the
decrease in the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the
reaction zone 10
is effected by the controller by actuating a decrease in the opening of a
control valve 441
that is disposed in a fluid passage that facilitates supply of a flow of the
aqueous feed
material 4 from the source 6 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for
example,
the termination of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone
10 is
effected by the controller by actuating closure of a control valve 441 that is
disposed in a
fluid passage that facilitates supply of a flow of the aqueous feed material 4
from the
source 6 to the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the flow
of the
aqueous feed material 4 is being effected by a prime mover, such as a pump
281. In
some embodiments, for example, the flow of the aqueous feed material 4 is
being
effected by gravity. In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed
material 4
includes the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 which is supplied from
the
container 28. In some embodiments, the aqueous feed material 4 is the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 which is supplied from the container 28. In some of
these
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embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is
supplied from
the container 28 by the pump 281, and in other ones of these embodiments, for
example,
the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied from the container 28
by
gravity. In some embodiments, for example, where a prime mover (such as the
pump
281) is provided for effecting the flow of the aqueous feed material 4 to the
reaction zone
10, the decrease in the molar rate of supply of the aqueous feed material 4 to
the reaction
zone 10 is effected by the controller actuating a decrease to the power being
supplied to
the prime mover 281 (such as the pump 281) to the aqueous feed material 4,
such as by
reducing the speed of the prime mover 281. In some embodiments, for example,
where a
prime mover (such as the pump 281) is provided for effecting the flow of the
aqueous
feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, the termination of supply of the
aqueous feed
material 4 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by the controller actuating
stoppage of the
prime mover.
1001761 In some
embodiments, for example, when the detected phototrophic biomass
growth indicator is a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the
reaction
mixture disposed within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone
10, and
the detected molar concentration of phototrophic biomass within the reaction
mixture
disposed within the reaction zone 10 is greater than the predetermined
phototrophic
biomass molar concentration target value, the modulating includes effecting an
increase
in the molar rate of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic biomass
from the
reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments, for example, the production
purpose
phototrophic biomass is discharged from the reaction zone 10 by displacement
in
response to the supplying of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone
10, and the
increase in the molar rate of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic
biomass
from the reaction zone 10 is effected by effecting initiation of supply of, or
an increase in
the molar rate of supply of, the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone
10. In this
respect, when the production purpose phototrophic biomass is discharged by
such
displacement, in some embodiments, for example, when the detected phototrophic
biomass growth indicator is a molar concentration of phototrophic biomass in
the reaction
zone 10, upon comparing the detected molar concentration of phototrophic
biomass
within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone 10, which is
detected by the
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cell counter 47, with the predetermined phototrophic biomass molar
concentration target
value, and determining that the detected molar concentration is greater than
the
predetermined phototrophic biomass molar concentration target value, the
controller
responds by effecting initiation of supply of, or an increase in the molar
rate of supply of,
the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, which thereby effects an
increase in
the molar rate of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic biomass
from the
reaction zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the initiation of supply
of the
aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by the controller
by actuating
opening of a control valve 441 that is disposed in a fluid passage that
facilitates supply of
a flow of the aqueous feed material 4 from the source 6 to the reaction zone
10. In some
embodiments, for example, the increase in the molar rate of supply of the
aqueous feed
material 4 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by the controller by actuating
an increase in
the opening of a control valve 441 that is disposed in a fluid passage that
facilitates
supply of a flow of the aqueous feed material 4 from the source 6 to the
reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, the flow of the aqueous feed material 4 is
being
effected by a prime mover, such as a pump 281. In some embodiments, for
example, the
flow of the aqueous feed material 4 is being effected by gravity. In some
embodiments,
for example, the aqueous feed material includes the supplemental aqueous
material
supply 44 which is supplied from the container 28. In some embodiments, for
example,
the aqueous feed material is the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 which
is
supplied from the container 28. In some of these embodiments, for example, the
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied from the container 28 by
the pump
281, and in other ones of these embodiments, for example, the supplemental
aqueous
material supply 44 is supplied from the container 28 by gravity. In some
embodiments,
for example, where a prime mover (such as the pump 281) is provided for
effecting the
flow of the aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10, the initiation of
supply of the
aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by the controller
actuating
operation of the prime mover. In some embodiments, for example, where a prime
mover
(such as the pump 281) is provided for effecting the flow of the aqueous feed
material 4
to the reaction zone 10, the increase in the molar rate of supply of the
aqueous feed
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material 4 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by the controller actuating an
increase to the
power being supplied to the prime mover to the aqueous feed material 4.
[00177] In some embodiments, for example, the discharging of the
phototrophic
biomass 58 from the reaction zone 10 is effected by a prime mover that is
fluidly coupled
to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example,
the
modulating of the molar rate of discharge of the phototrophic biomass from the
reaction
zone includes:
[00178] (i) modulating the power being supplied to the prime mover
effecting
the discharge of the phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 in
response to
detection of a difference between a detected phototrophic biomass growth
indicator
(within the reaction mixture disposed within the reaction zone) and a
predetermined
phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value, wherein the predetermined
phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value is correlated with a
predetermined
molar rate of growth of phototrophic biomass within the reaction mixture which
is
disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to the
photosynthetically
active light radiation, and;
[00179] (ii) while the modulating of the power supplied to the prime
mover is
being effected, modulating the molar rate of supply of the supplemental
aqueous material
supply 20 to the reaction zone 10 in response to detection of a difference
between a
detected indication of volume of reaction mixture within the reaction zone and
a
predetermined reaction mixture volume indication value, wherein the
predetermined
reaction mixture volume indication value is representative of a volume of
reaction
mixture within the reaction zone 10 within which growth of the phototrophic
biomass is
being effected within the reaction mixture at the predetermined molar rate of
growth of
phototrophic biomass while the phototrophic biomass growth indicator within
the
reaction mixture is disposed at the predetermined phototrophic biomass growth
indicator
target value.
[00180] In some embodiments, for example, the indication of volume of
reaction
mixture within the reaction zone 10 (or, simply, the "reaction mixture volume
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indication") is an upper liquid level of the reaction mixture within the
reaction zone 10.
In some embodiments, for example, this upper liquid level is detected with a
level sensor.
In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, the level sensor is
provided to detect
the level of the reaction mixture within the reaction zone 10, and transmit a
signal
representative of the detected level to a controller. The controller compares
the received
signal to a predetermined level value (representative of the predetermined
reaction
mixture volume indication value). If the received signal is less than the
predetermined
level value, the controller responds by effecting initiation of supply, or an
increase to the
molar rate of supply, of the supplemental aqueous material supply 48 to the
reaction zone
10, such as by opening (in the case of initiation of supply), or increasing
the opening (in
the case of increasing the molar rate of supply), of a valve configured to
interfere with the
supply of the supplemental aqueous material supply 48 to the reaction zone 10.
If the
received signal is greater than the predetermined level value, the controller
responds by
effecting a decrease to the molar rate of supply, or termination of supply, of
the
supplemental aqueous material supply 48 to the reaction zone 10, such as by
decreasing
the opening of (in the case of decreasing the molar rate of supply), or
closing the valve
(in the case of terminating the supply) that is configured to interfere with
the supply of
the supplemental aqueous material supply 48 to the reaction zone 10. By
regulating the
supplying of the supplemental aqueous material supply 48 to the reaction zone
10 so as to
effect the maintaining of a desired level within the reaction zone 10, make-up
water is
supplied to the reaction zone 10 to replace water that is discharged with the
phototrophic
biomass from the reaction zone 10, with a view to optimizing the molar rate of
growth of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10, and thereby optimizing the
molar rate
at which phototrophic biomass is being discharged from the reaction zone 10.
[00181] In some
embodiments, for example, while the modulating of the molar rate
of discharge of the phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 is being
effected, the
process further includes modulating the molar rate of supply of the
supplemental nutrient
supply to the reaction zone in response to the detection of a difference
between a detected
concentration of one or more nutrients (eg. NO3) within the reaction zone 10
and a
corresponding predetermined target concentration value.
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[00182] In some embodiments, for example, while the modulating of the molar
rate
of discharge of the phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 is being
effected, the
process further includes modulating the molar rate of flow of the carbon
dioxide to the
reaction zone 10 in response to detecting of at least one carbon dioxide
processing
capacity indicator. In some embodiments, for example, the detecting of at
least one of
the at least one carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator is effected in
the reaction
zone 10. The carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator which is detected is
any
characteristic that is representative of the capacity of the reaction zone 10
for receiving
carbon dioxide and having at least a fraction of the received carbon dioxide
converted in
a photosynthesis reaction effected by phototrophic biomass disposed within the
reaction
zone. In some embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide processing capacity
indicator which is detected is a pH within the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments,
for example, the carbon dioxide processing capacity indicator which is
detected is a
phototrophic biomass molar concentration within the reaction zone 10.
[00183] In some embodiments, for example, while the modulating of the molar
rate
of discharge of the phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10 is being
effected, the
process further includes modulating the intensity of the photosynthetically
active light
radiation to which the reaction mixture is exposed to, in response to a
detected change in
the molar rate at which the carbon dioxide is being supplied to the reaction
zone 10.
[00184] In some embodiments, the process further includes effecting the
predetermination of the phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value. In
this
respect, an evaluation purpose reaction mixture that is representative of the
production
purpose reaction mixture and is operative for effecting photosynthesis, upon
exposure to
photosynthetically active light radiation, is provided, such that the
phototrophic biomass
of the evaluation purpose reaction mixture is an evaluation purpose
phototrophic biomass
that is representative of the production purpose phototrophic biomass. In some
embodiments, for example, the production purpose reaction mixture further
includes
water and carbon dioxide, and the evaluation purpose reaction mixture further
includes
water and carbon dioxide. While the evaluation purpose reaction mixture
disposed in the
reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically active light radiation and
growth of the
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evaluation purpose phototrophic biomass is being effected within the
evaluation purpose
reaction mixture, the process further includes:
at least periodically detecting the phototrophic biomass growth indicator to
provide a plurality of detected values of the phototrophic biomass growth
indicator that
have been detected during a time period ("at least periodically" means that
the detecting
could be done intermittently, at equally spaced intervals or at unequally
spaced time
intervals, or could be done continuously);
(ii) calculating molar growth rates of the evaluation purpose phototrophic
biomass
based on the plurality of detected values of the phototrophic biomass growth
indicator
such that a plurality of molar growth rates of the evaluation purpose
phototrophic
biomass are determined during the time period; and
(iii) establishing a relationship between the molar growth rate of the
evaluation
purpose phototrophic biomass and the phototrophic biomass growth indicator,
based on
the calculated molar growth rates and the detected values of the phototrophic
biomass
growth indicator upon which the calculated molar growth rates have been based,
such
that the established relationship between the molar growth rate of the
evaluation purpose
phototrophic biomass and the phototrophic biomass growth indicator is
representative of
a relationship between the molar growth rate of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone 10 and the phototrophic biomass growth
indicator, and
such that the relationship between the molar growth rate of the production
purpose
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10 and the phototrophic biomass
growth
indicator is thereby provided.
[00185] A predetermined molar growth rate is selected from the calculated
molar
growth rates. The phototrophic biomass growth indicator target value is
defined as the
phototrophic biomass growth indicator at which the predetermined molar growth
rate is
being effected based on the determined relationship between the molar growth
rate of the
production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone and the
phototrophic
biomass growth indicator. In this respect, the correlation between the
phototrophic
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biomass growth indicator target value and the predetermined molar growth rate
is also
thereby effected.
[00186] In some embodiments, for example, the growth of the evaluation
purpose
phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10 is effected while the reaction
zone is
characterized by at least one evaluation purpose growth condition, wherein
each one of
the at least one evaluation purpose growth condition is representative of a
production
purpose growth condition by which the reaction zone 10 is characterized while
growth of
the production purpose phototrophic biomass, within the reaction zone 10, is
being
effected. In some embodiments, for example, the production purpose growth
condition is
any one of a plurality of production purpose growth conditions including
composition of
the reaction mixture, reaction zone temperature, reaction zone pH, reaction
zone light
intensity, reaction zone lighting regimes (eg. variable intensities), reaction
zone lighting
cycles (eg. duration of ON/OFF lighting cycles), and reaction zone
temperature. In some
embodiments, for example, providing one or more evaluation purpose growth
conditions,
each of which is representative of a production purpose growth condition to
which the
production purpose reaction mixture is exposed to while growth of the
production
purpose phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10 is being effected,
promotes
optimization of phototrophic biomass production.
[00187] In another aspect, while the phototrophic biomass is growing at or
relatively
close to the maximum molar growth rate within the reaction zone 10, a molar
rate of
discharge of the phototrophic biomass is effected that at least approximates
the molar
growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone.
[00188] The reaction mixture, in the form of a production purpose reaction
mixture
that is operative for effecting photosynthesis upon exposure to
photosynthetically active
light radiation, is disposed within the reaction zone 10. The production
purpose reaction
mixture includes phototrophic biomass in the form of production purpose
phototrophic
biomass that is operative for growth within the reaction zone 10. While the
reaction
mixture disposed in the reaction zone 10 is exposed to photosynthetically
active light
radiation and growth of the production purpose phototrophic biomass is being
effected
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within the reaction mixture, production purpose phototrophic biomass is
discharging
from the reaction zone 10 at a molar rate that is within 10% of the molar rate
at which
the growth of the production purpose phototrophic biomass is being effected
within the
reaction zone 10. The effected growth of the production purpose phototrophic
biomass
within the reaction zone 10 is being effected at a molar rate that is at least
90% of the
maximum growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the
reaction mixture which is disposed in reaction zone 10 and is being exposed to
the
photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example,
the molar
rate of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic biomass is within 5%
of the
molar growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the
reaction
zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, the molar rate of discharge of the
production purpose phototrophic biomass is within 1% of the molar growth rate
of the
production purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for example, the effected growth of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass within the reaction zone 10 is being effected at a molar rate of
growth of at least
95% of the maximum growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass
within
the reaction mixture which is disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is
being exposed
to the photosynthetically active light radiation, and in some of these
embodiments, for
example, the molar rate of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic
biomass that
is provided is within 5%, such as within 1%, of the molar growth rate of the
production
purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10. In some embodiments,
for
example, the effected growth of the production purpose phototrophic biomass
within the
reaction zone 10 is being effected at a molar rate of growth of at least 99%
of the
maximum growth rate of the production purpose phototrophic biomass within the
reaction mixture which is disposed within the reaction zone 10 and is being
exposed to
the photosynthetically active light radiation, and in some of these
embodiments, for
example, the molar rate of discharge of the production purpose phototrophic
biomass that
is provided is within 5%, such as within 1%, of the molar growth rate of the
production
purpose phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone 10.
[00189] In some
embodiments, for example, the effecting of the growth of the
production purpose phototrophic biomass includes supplying carbon dioxide to
the
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reaction zone 10 and exposing the production purpose reaction mixture to
photosynthetically active light radiation. In some embodiments, for example,
the
supplied carbon dioxide is supplied from the gaseous exhaust material 18 of
the gaseous
exhaust material producing process 20. In some embodiments, for example, the
supplied
carbon dioxide is supplied from the gaseous exhaust material 18 of the gaseous
exhaust
material producing process 20 while the gaseous exhaust material 18 is being
discharged
by the gaseous exhaust material producing process 20, and while at least a
fraction of the
gaseous exhaust material 18 is being supplied to the reaction zone feed
material 22 (as
the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24), and while the reaction
zone feed
material 22 is being supplied to the reaction zone 10. In this respect, in
some
embodiments, for example, the carbon dioxide is supplied to the reaction zone
10 while
the growth is being effected, wherein at least a fraction of the carbon
dioxide being
supplied to the reaction zone is supplied from a gaseous exhaust material
while the
gaseous exhaust material is being discharged from a gaseous exhaust material
producing
process.
[00190] In some embodiments, for example, the reaction zone 10 is disposed
within a
photobioreactor 10, and the production purpose phototrophic biomass is
discharged from
the photobioreactor 12 (and the reaction zone 10) by displacement effected in
response to
supplying of an aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10. In other
words, the
supplying of an aqueous feed material 4 to the reaction zone 10 effects
displacement of
the production purpose phototrophic biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and
the
reaction zone 10), thereby effecting discharge of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass from the photobioreactor 12 (and the reaction zone 10). In some
embodiments,
for example, the production purpose phototrophic biomass product is discharged
as an
overflow from the photobioreactor. .
[00191] In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4 is
supplied
to the reaction zone 10 and effects displacement of the production purpose
phototrophic
biomass from the reaction zone 10, thereby effecting discharge of the
production purpose
phototrophic biomass from the reaction zone 10. In some of these embodiments,
for
example, the aqueous feed material 4 includes substantially no production
purpose
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phototrophic biomass. In other ones of these embodiments, for example, the
aqueous
feed material 4 includes production purpose phototrophic biomass at a
concentration less
than the reaction zone concentration of the production purpose phototrophic
biomass.
[00192] In some embodiments, for example, with respect to the aqueous feed
material 4, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied as a flow from a source 6
of aqueous
feed material 4. For example, the flow is effected by a prime mover, such as
pump. In
some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material includes the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44. As described above, in some embodiments, for
example, at
least a fraction of the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied
from a
container 28. In this respect, in those embodiments where the supplemental
aqueous
material supply 44 is included within the aqueous feed material, the container
functions
as the source 6 of the aqueous feed material 4.
[00193] In some embodiments, for example, the aqueous feed material 4
includes the
supplemental nutrient supply 42 and the supplemental aqueous material supply
44. In
some of these embodiments, the aqueous feed material 4 is supplied to the
reaction zone
feed material 22 upstream of the reaction zone 10. In this respect, and
referring to Figure
2, and as described above, in some of these embodiments, the supplemental
nutrient
supply 42 and the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 are supplied to the
reaction
zone feed material 22 through the sparger 40 upstream of the reaction zone 10.
[00194] In some of these embodiments, for example, and as described above,
the
discharging of the phototrophic biomass 58 from the reaction zone 10 is
effected by a
prime mover that is fluidly coupled to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments, for
example, supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied to the reaction
zone 10 so
as to maintain a predetermined volume of reaction mixture within the reaction
zone 10, as
described above.
[00195] In another aspect, discharging of the phototrophic biomass is
effected at a
rate that matches the molar growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the
reaction
zone 10. In some embodiments, for example, this mitigates shocking of the
phototrophic
biomass in the reaction zone 10. With respect to some embodiments, for
example, the
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discharging of the phototrophic biomass is controlled through the molar rate
of supply of
supplemental aqueous material supply 44, which influences the displacement
from the
photobioreactor 12 of the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 from the
photobioreactor 12. For example, the product 500, including the phototrophic
biomass, is
discharged as an overflow. In some of these embodiments, the upper portion of
phototrophic biomass suspension in the reaction zone 10 overflows the
photobioreactor
12 (for example, the phototrophic biomass is discharged through an overflow
port of the
photobioreactor 12) to provide the phototrophic biomass-comprising product
500. In
other embodiments, for example, the discharging of the product 500 is
controlled with a
valve disposed in a fluid passage which is fluidly communicating with an
outlet of the
photobioreactor 12.
1001961 In some
embodiments, for example, the discharging of the product 500 is
effected continuously. In other embodiments, for example, the discharging of
the product
is effected periodically. In some embodiments, for example, the discharging of
the
product is designed such that the molar concentration of the biomass in the
phototrophic
biomass-comprising product 500 is maintained at a relatively low
concentration. In those
embodiments where the phototrophic biomass includes algae, it is desirable,
for some
embodiments, to effect discharging of the product 500 at lower molar
concentrations to
mitigate against sudden changes in the molar growth rate of the algae in the
reaction zone
10. Such sudden changes could effect shocking of the algae, which thereby
contributes to
lower yield over the longer ten-n. In some embodiments, where the phototrophic
biomass
is algae and, more specifically, scenedesmus obliquus, the concentration of
this algae in
the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 could be between 0.5 and 3
grams per
litre. The desired concentration of the discharged algae product 500 depends
on the
strain of algae such that this concentration range changes depending on the
strain of
algae. In this respect, in some embodiments, maintaining a predetermined water
content
in the reaction zone is desirable to promote the optimal growth of the
phototrophic
biomass, and this can also be influenced by controlling the supply of the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44.
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[00197] The phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 includes water. In
some
embodiments, for example, the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 is
supplied
to a separator 52 for effecting removal of at least a fraction of the water
from the
phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500 to effect production of an
intermediate
concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 and a recovered
aqueous
material 72 (in some embodiments, substantially water). In some embodiments,
for
example, the separator 52 is a high speed centrifugal separator 52. Other
suitable
examples of a separator 52 include a decanter, a settling vessel or pond, a
flocculation
device, or a flotation device. In some embodiments, the recovered aqueous
material 72 is
supplied to a container 28, such as a container, for re-use by the process.
[00198] In some embodiments, for example, after the product 500 is
discharged, and
before being supplied to the separator 52, the phototrophic biomass-comprising
product
500 is supplied to a harvest pond 54. The harvest pond 54 functions both as a
buffer
between the photobioreactor 12 and the separator 52, as well as a mixing
vessel in cases
where the harvest pond 54 receives different biomass strains from multiple
photobioreactors. In the latter case, customization of a blend of biomass
strains can be
effected with a predetermined set of characteristics tailored to the fuel type
or grade that
will be produced from the blend.
[00199] As described above, the container 28 provides a source of
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 for the reaction zone 10, and functions to contain
the
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 before supplemental aqueous material
supply
44 is supplied to the reaction zone 10. Loss of water is experienced in some
embodiments as moisture in the final phototrophic biomass-comprising product
36, as
well as through evaporation in the dryer 32. The supplemental aqueous material
in the
container 28, which is recovered from the process, can be supplied to the
reaction zone
as the supplemental aqueous material supply 44. In some embodiments, for
example,
the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied to the reaction zone
10 with the
pump 281. In other embodiments, the supply can be effected by gravity, if the
layout of
the process equipment of the system, which embodies the process, permits. As
described
above, the supplemental aqueous material recovered from the process includes
at least
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one of: (a) aqueous material 70 which has been condensed from the reaction
zone feed
material 22 while the reaction zone feed material 22 is being cooled before
being
supplied to the reaction zone 10, and (b) aqueous material 72 which has been
separated
from the phototrophic biomass-comprising product 500. In some embodiments, for
example, the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is supplied to the
reaction zone 10
to effect displacement of the product 500 from the reaction zone. In some
embodiments,
for example, the product 500 is displaced as an overflow from the
photobioreactor 12. In
some embodiments, for example, the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 is
supplied to the reaction zone 10 to effect a desired predetermined
concentration of
phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone by diluting the reaction mixture
disposed
within the reaction zone.
100200] Examples of specific structures which can be used as the container
28 by
allowing for containment of aqueous material recovered from the process, as
above-
described, include, without limitation, tanks, ponds, troughs, ditches, pools,
pipes, tubes,
canals, and channels.
100201] In some embodiments, for example, the supplying of the supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 is effected while the
gaseous exhaust
material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material producing
process 20,
and while the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is being
supplied to the
reaction zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for example, the exposing
of the
carbon dioxide-enriched phototrophic biomass disposed in the aqueous medium to
photosynthetically active light radiation is effected while the supplying of
the
supplemental aqueous material supply to the reaction zone 10 is being
effected.
[00202] In some embodiments, for example, the supplying of the supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 is modulated based upon the
detection
of a deviation of a value of a phototrophic biomass growth indicator from that
of a
predetermined target value of the process parameter, wherein the predetermined
target
value of the phototrophic biomass growth indicator is based upon a
predetermined molar
growth rate of the phototrophic biomass within the reaction zone. The
detection of a
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deviation of the phototrophic biomass growth indicator from that of the target
value of
the phototrophic biomass growth indicator, and the modulation of the supplying
of the
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 in response to
the
detection, is discussed above.
[00203] In some embodiments, for example, supply of the supplemental
aqueous
material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 is dictated by the molar
concentration of
phototrophic biomass concentration. In this respect, molar concentration of
the
phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10, or an indication of molar
concentration of
the phototrophic biomass in the reaction zone 10, is detected by a cell
counter, such as the
cell counters described above. The detected molar concentration of the
phototrophic
biomass, or the detected indication of molar concentration of phototrophic
biomass, is
transmitted to the controller, and when the controller determines that the
detected molar
concentration exceeds a predetermined high molar concentration value, the
controller
responds by initiating the supply, or increasing the molar rate of supply, of
the
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10. In some
embodiments,
for example, the initiating of the supply, or increasing the molar rate of
supply, of the
supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 includes
actuating a
prime mover, such as the pump 281, to initiate supply, or an increase in the
molar rate of
supply, of the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone
10. In some
embodiments, for example, the effecting supply, or increasing the molar rate
of supply, of
the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 includes
initiating
the opening, or increase the opening, of a valve that is configured to
interfere with supply
of the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 from the container 28 to the
reaction
zone 10.
[00204] In some embodiments, for example, when the upper level of the
contents of
the reaction zone 10 within the photobioreactor 12 becomes disposed below a
predetermined minimum level, the initiation of the supply of, or an increase
to the molar
rate of supply of, the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 (which has been
recovered from the process) is effected to the reaction zone 10. In some of
these
embodiments, for example, a level sensor 76 is provided for detecting the
position of the
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upper level of the contents of the reaction zone 10 within the
photobioreactor, and
transmitting a signal representative of the upper level of the contents of the
reaction zone
to the controller. Upon the controller comparing a received signal from the
level
sensor 76, which is representative of the upper level of the contents of the
reaction zone
10, to a predetermined low level value, and determining that the detected
upper level of
the contents of the reaction zone is below the predetermined low level value,
the
controller effects the initiation of the supply of, or an increase to the
molar rate of supply
of, the supplemental aqueous material supply 44. When the supply of the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10 is effected by a pump 281,
the
controller actuates the pump 281 to effect the initiation of the supply, or an
increase to
the rate of supply, of the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the
reaction zone
10. When the supply of the supplemental aqueous material supply 44 to the
reaction zone
10 is effected by gravity, the controller actuates the opening of a valve to
effect the
initiation of the supply, or an increase to the molar rate of supply, of the
supplemental
aqueous material supply 44 to the reaction zone 10. For example, control of
the position
of the upper level of the contents of the reaction zone 10 is relevant to
operation for some
of those embodiments where the discharging of the phototrophic biomass 58 from
the
reaction zone 10 is effected from a lower portion of the reaction zone 10,
such as when
the discharging of the phototrophic biomass 58 from the reaction zone 10 is
effected by a
prime mover that is fluidly coupled to the reaction zone 10, as discussed
above. In those
embodiments where the discharging of the phototrophic biomass 58 from the
reaction
zone 10 is effected by an overflow, in some of these embodiments, control of
the position
of the upper level of the contents of the reaction zone 10 is relevant during
the "seeding
stage" of operation of the photobioreactor 12.
1002051 In some
embodiments, for example, where the discharging of the product
500 is controlled with a valve disposed in a fluid passage which is fluidly
communicating
with an outlet of the photobioreactor 12, molar concentration of phototrophic
biomass in
the reaction zone is detected by a cell counter 47, such as the cell counters
described
above. The detected molar concentration of phototrophic biomass is transmitted
to the
controller, and when the controller determines that the detected molar
phototrophic
biomass concentration exceeds a predetermined high molar phototrophic biomass
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concentration value, the controller responds by initiating opening, or
increasing the
opening, of the valve to effect an increase in the molar rate of discharging
of the product
500 from the reaction zone 10.
[00206] In some embodiments, for example, a source of additional make-up
water 68
is provided to mitigate against circumstances when the supplemental aqueous
material
supply 44 is insufficient to make-up for water which is lost during operation
of the
process. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, the supplemental
aqueous
material supply 44 is mixed with the reaction zone feed material 22 in the
sparger 40.
Conversely, in some embodiments, for example, accommodation for draining of
the
container 28 to drain 66 is provided to mitigate against the circumstances
when aqueous
material recovered from the process exceeds the make-up requirements.
[00207] In some embodiments, for example, a reaction zone gaseous effluent
product
80 is discharged from the reaction zone 10. At least a fraction of the
reaction zone
gaseous effluent 80 is recovered and supplied to a reaction zone 110 of a
combustion
process unit operation 100. As a result of the photosynthesis being effected
in the
reaction zone 10, the reaction zone gaseous effluent 80 is rich in oxygen
relative to the
gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24. The gaseous effluent 80 is
supplied to
the combustion zone 110 of a combustion process unit operation 100 (such as a
combustion zone 110 disposed in a reaction vessel), and, therefore, functions
as a useful
reagent for the combustion process being effected in the combustion process
unit
operation 100. The reaction zone gaseous effluent 80 is contacted with
combustible
material (such as carbon-comprising material) in the combustion zone 100, and
a reactive
process is effected whereby the combustible material is combusted. Examples of
suitable
combustion process unit operations 100 include those in a fossil fuel-fired
power plant,
an industrial incineration facility, an industrial furnace, an industrial
heater, an internal
combustion engine, and a cement kiln.
[00208] In some embodiments, for example, the contacting of the recovered
reaction
zone gaseous effluent 80 with a combustible material is effected while the
gaseous
exhaust material 18 is being discharged by the gaseous exhaust material
producing
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process 20 and while the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is
being
supplied to the reaction zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for
example, the
contacting of the recovered reaction zone gaseous effluent with a combustible
material is
effected while the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 is being
supplied to
the reaction zone feed material 22. In some embodiments, for example, the
contacting of
the recovered reaction zone gaseous effluent with a combustible material is
effected
while the reaction zone feed material is being supplied to the reaction zone.
In some
embodiments, for example, the exposing of the carbon dioxide-enriched
phototrophic
biomass disposed in the aqueous medium to photosynthetically active light
radiation is
effected while the contacting of the recovered reaction zone gaseous effluent
with a
combustible material is being effected.
[00209] The
intermediate concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34
is supplied to a dryer 32 which supplies heat to the intermediate concentrated
phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 to effect evaporation of at least a
fraction of
the water of the intermediate concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising
product 34,
and thereby effect production of a final phototrophic biomass-comprising
product 36. As
discussed above, in some embodiments, the heat supplied to the intermediate
concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34 is provided by a heat
transfer
medium 30 which has been used to effect the cooling of the reaction zone feed
material
22 prior to supply of the reaction zone feed material 22 to the reaction zone
10. By
effecting such cooling, heat is transferred from the reaction zone feed
material 22 to the
heat transfer medium 30, thereby raising the temperature of the heat transfer
medium 30.
In such embodiments, the intermediate concentrated phototrophic biomass-
comprising
product 34 is at a relatively warm temperature, and the heat requirement to
effect
evaporation of water from the intermediate concentrated phototrophic biomass-
comprising product 34 is not significant, thereby rendering it feasible to use
the heated
heat transfer medium 30 as a source of heat to effect the drying of the
intermediate
concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34. As discussed above,
after
heating the intermediate concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising product
34, the
heat transfer medium 30, having lost some energy and becoming disposed at a
lower
temperature, is recirculated to the heat exchanger 26 to effect cooling of the
reaction zone
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feed material 22. The heating requirements of the dryer 32 is based upon the
rate of
supply of intermediate concentrated phototrophic biomass-comprising product 34
to the
dryer 32. Cooling requirements (of the heat exchanger 26) and heating
requirements (of
the dryer 32) are adjusted by the controller to balance the two operations by
monitoring
flowrates and temperatures of each of the reaction zone feed material 22 and
the rate of
production of the product 500 through discharging of the product 500 from the
photobioreactor.
[00210] In some embodiments, changes to the phototrophic biomass growth
rate
effected by changes to the rate of supply of the gaseous exhaust material
reaction zone
supply 24 to the reaction zone material feed 22 are realized after a
significant time lag
(for example, in some cases, more than three (3) hours, and sometimes even
longer) from
the time when the change is effected to the rate of supply of the gaseous
exhaust material
reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone feed material 22. In comparison,
changes to
the thermal value of the heat transfer medium 30, which are based on the
changes in the
rate of supply of the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone supply 24 to the
reaction
zone feed material 22, are realized more quickly. In this respect, in some
embodiments, a
thermal buffer is provided for storing any excess heat (in the form of the
heat transfer
medium 30) and introducing a time lag to the response of the heat transfer
performance
of the dryer 32 to the changes in the gaseous exhaust material reaction zone
supply 24. In
some embodiments, for example, the thermal buffer is a heat transfer medium
storage
tank. Alternatively, an external source of heat may be required to supplement
heating
requirements of the dryer 32 during transient periods of supply of the gaseous
exhaust
material reaction zone supply 24 to the reaction zone material 22. The use of
a thermal
buffer or additional heat may be required to accommodate changes to the rate
of growth
of the phototrophic biomass, or to accommodate start-up or shutdown of the
process. For
example, if growth of the phototrophic biomass is decreased or stopped, the
dryer 32 can
continue operating by using the stored heat in the buffer until it is
consumed, or, in some
embodiments, use a secondary source of heat.
[00211] Further embodiments will now be described in further detail with
reference
to the following non-limitative example.
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[00212] Example 1
[00213] A prophetic example, exemplifying an embodiment of determining a
target
value of a phototrophic biomass growth indicator (eg. algae concentration in
the reaction
zone of a photobioreactor), and effecting operation of an embodiment of the
above-
described process, including modulating the molar rate of discharge of the
phototrophic
biomass-comprising product from the reaction zone based on a deviation of a
detected
value of the process parameter from the target value, will now be described.
[00214] Initially, an initial algae concentration in an aqueous medium,
with suitable
nutrients, is provided in a reaction zone of a photobioreactor. Gaseous carbon
dioxide is
supplied to the reaction zone, and the reaction zone is exposed to light from
a light source
(such as LEDs), to effect growth of the algae. When algae concentration in the
reaction
zone reaches 0.5 grams per litre, water is flowed to the reaction zone of the
photobioreactor to effect harvesting of the algae by effecting overflow of the
reactor
contents, and an initial target algae concentration is set at 0.5 grams per
litre. Initially,
the supplied water is flowed at a relatively moderate and constant rate such
that the half
(1/2) of the volume of the photobioreactor is exchanged per day, as it is
found that
periodically replacing water volume within the reaction zone with fresh water
promotes
growth of the algae and enables attaining the target value in a shorter period
of time. If
the algae growth rate is lower than the dilution rate, and the detected algae
concentration
drops at least 2% from the algae concentration set point at any time during
this
determination exercise, the control system will stop or reduce the dilution
rate to avoid
further dilution of the algae concentration in the reaction zone. If the algae
growth rate is
higher than the dilution rate, the algae concentration will increase above the
initial algae
concentration set point, and the control system will increase the algae
concentration set
point so as to keep pace with the increasing algae concentration, while
maintaining the
same dilution rate. For example, the algae concentration may increase to 0.52
grams per
litre, at which point the control system will increase the algae concentration
set point to
0.51. The control system continues to monitor the increase in algae
concentration and, in
parallel, increasing the target algae concentration. When a maximum change in
the algae
growth rate has been detected, the target algae concentration is locked at its
existing
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value to become the target value, and dilution rate is then modulated so that
harvesting
of the algae is effected at a rate which is equivalent to the growth rate of
the algae within
the photobioreactor when the algae concentration is at the target value.
[00215] Algae growth rate corresponds with algae concentration. When a
= considerable change in the algae growth rate is detected, this is
indicative of growth of
algae within the reaction zone at, or close to, its maximum rate, and this
growth rate
corresponds to an algae concentration at the target value. In this respect, by
maintaining
algae concentration in the reaction zone at the target value by controlling
dilution rate,
algae growth is maintained at or close to the maximum, and, as a corollary,
over time, the
rate of discharge of algae is optimized.
[0021.6] In the
above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
disclosure.
However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific
details are not
required in order to practice the present disclosure. Although certain
dimensions and
materials are described for implementing the disclosed example embodiments,
other
suitable dimensions and/or materials may be used within the scope of this
disclosure. All
such modifications and variations, including all suitable current and future
changes in
technology, are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present
disclosure.
CA 2738410 2018-09-04
