Title:
MEMBRANES FOR CULTIVATION AND COLLECTION OF ALGAE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/124391
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
Described herein are methods and apparatus for cultivating algae on, and harvesting from, porous inert membranes. Growth of the algae is accomplished on a porous membrane and provided with nutrients by percolation from below and/or misting from above. The membrane is preferably supported by a saturated bed of inert materials. Moisture and nutrients required for growth are provided by applying aqueous nutrient media to the membrane and algae from above and/or below. Algae grown in this manner is then subjected to stress, by applying a second, different aqueous media to the membrane and algae from above and/or below. The membrane itself, bearing the algae, may be moved from the first aqueous nutrient medium to the second, stress-inducing aqueous medium. The stress causes the algae to produce and accumulate lipids within the cells. The stressed algae is then harvested by removing the algae from the membrane.
Inventors:
VANWINKLE-SWIFT KAREN P (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2014/015625
Publication Date:
October 23, 2014
Filing Date:
February 10, 2014
Export Citation:
Assignee:
UNIV ARIZONA (US)
International Classes:
C12N1/12
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2012040702A1 | 2012-03-29 |
Foreign References:
| US20100216203A1 | 2010-08-26 | |||
| US5527456A | 1996-06-18 | |||
| US20110159595A1 | 2011-06-30 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ROSENFIELD, Susan Stone (P.C.Suite 600,2394 E. Camelback Roa, Phoenix Arizona, US)
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