US20110139409A1 - Algae production - Google Patents
Algae production Download PDFInfo
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- US20110139409A1 US20110139409A1 US13/020,996 US201113020996A US2011139409A1 US 20110139409 A1 US20110139409 A1 US 20110139409A1 US 201113020996 A US201113020996 A US 201113020996A US 2011139409 A1 US2011139409 A1 US 2011139409A1
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- heat
- water
- algae
- heat source
- plant
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G33/00—Cultivation of seaweed or algae
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
Definitions
- FIG. 13 illustrates a heat exchanger
Abstract
Methods and systems for algae production are provided, the methods and systems generally comprising providing at least one body of water having an algae population in suspension, growing algae, heating the body of water with a heat source, heating the algae process with a heat source, drying the algae with a heat source, and covering the body of water with a cover. Heat recovery systems, algae processing, and covers are also provided.
Description
- This application is a divisional application of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/933,743 “ALGAE PRODUCTION” inventor: Ronald A. Erd, filed Nov. 1, 2007. This application is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- Commercial algae crops have been grown in temperate climates such as Hawaii, California, and Australia. These locations have been chosen due to the climate and associated algae growth benefits. In the seasonal colder regions where atmospheric and water temperatures fluctuate below ideal temperatures for algae production, algae production may not be economically maintained throughout the year. Even in the New Mexico desert, low night-time temperatures have had adverse effects on the growth of algae.
- When algae are being cultivated or are reproducing, the temperature of the body of water or process has to be maintained within specific parameters day, night, and throughout the seasons of the year to achieve optimal productivity. Attempts have been made to control temperature with traditional sources of heat, including electric, natural gas, and propane. These attempts have been expensive and inefficient.
- In one embodiment, a method is provided for producing algae, the method comprising: providing at least one body of water having an algae population in suspension, wherein the body of water has an environment that is monitored for at least one of: nitrogen, nitrates, nitrogen containing substances, phosphorous, phosphates, phosphorous containing substances, potassium, potassium containing substances, silicon, silica, silicates, silicon containing substances, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pH, temperature, and population density of the algae population in suspension; heating the body of water with a heat source; wherein the heat source comprises at least one of a supply heat source, a recovered heat source, and a waste heat source from at least one of: a power plant, an industrial process, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, and a manufacturing plant; and growing the algae population.
- In another embodiment, a method is provided for producing algae, the method comprising: processing algae with a heat source; wherein the heat source comprises at least one of: a supply heat source, a recovered heat source, and a waste heat source from at least one of: a power plant, an industrial process, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, and a manufacturing plant.
- In yet another embodiment, a system is provided for heat recovery, the system comprising: at least one heat source; wherein the heat source comprises at least one of: a supply heat source, a recovered heat source, and a waste heat source from at least one of: a power plant, an industrial process, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, and a manufacturing plant; at least one heat consuming process; wherein the at least one heat consuming process is at least one of: a body of water with an algae in suspension, an algae drying process, an algae processing, an algae growing, an algae production, a photobioreactor; at least one heat transmitting device; and a plurality of fluid movers.
- In another embodiment, a method is provided for producing algae, the method comprising: providing at least one body of water having an algae population in suspension, wherein the body of water has an environment that is monitored for at least one of: nitrogen, nitrates, nitrogen containing substances, phosphorous, phosphates, phosphorous containing substances, potassium, potassium containing substances, silicon, silica, silicates, silicon containing substances, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pH, temperature, and population density of the algae in suspension; covering the body of water with a cover at least partially supported by a structure; and growing the algae population.
- In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments are illustrated which, together with the detailed description given below, serve to describe exemplary embodiments. It will be appreciated that the illustrated boundaries of elements (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent but exemplary boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, for example, that one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one component may be designed as multiple components or that multiple components may be designed as one component. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that one process or method may be designed with one order of components or that it may be designed with another order of components. An element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. The drawings and components therein are not to any scale. Certain components may be omitted and others shown enlarged to facilitate understanding.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic of an industrial process. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic of an industrial process. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an industrial process. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an industrial process and algae production. -
FIG. 5 illustrates an industrial process and algae production. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a section of the industrial process and algae production fromFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 illustrates an industrial process and algae production. -
FIG. 8 illustrates an industrial process and algae production. -
FIG. 9 illustrates an industrial process and algae production. -
FIG. 10 illustrates an industrial process and algae production. -
FIG. 11 illustrates a heat exchanger. -
FIG. 12 illustrates a heat exchanger. -
FIG. 13 illustrates a heat exchanger. -
FIG. 14 illustrates a heat exchanger. -
FIG. 15 illustrates covers. -
FIG. 16 illustrates a body of water with algae in suspension with a cover. - The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Both singular and plural forms of terms may be within the definitions.
- “Algae processing” and “processing algae,” as used herein, refers to the steps including harvesting the algae in suspension to the time of shipping the algae or algae derived products, and the like, which may include drying the algae.
- “Algae production” and “producing algae,” as used herein, refers to steps including growing algae and algae processing.
- “Growing algae,” “growing the algae,” and “algae growth,” as used herein, refers to the steps including algae in culture to when algae is in suspension just prior to the beginning of a harvesting step.
- “Heat consuming process” and “heat consuming method,” as used herein, refers to processes, methods, or entities that consume heat from a waste heat source, recovered heat source, or supply heat source, including at least one of: a body of water with algae in suspension, algae drying process, algae processing, processing algae, growing algae, algae production, a body of water with algae in suspension covered with a greenhouse, a body of water with algae in suspension covered with a cover, a body of water with algae in suspension without a cover, a photobioreactor covered with a cover, a photobioreactor without a cover, and the like,
- “Heat source,” as used herein, refers to at least one of supply heat source, recovered heat source, waste heat source, and the like, from at least one of: a power plant, an industrial process, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, a manufacturing plant, and the like.
- “Heat transfer device” as used herein, refers to one of the following: heat exchanger, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a regenerative heat exchanger, a fluid heat exchanger, a phase change heat exchanger, a parallel flow heat exchanger, a cross flow heat exchanger, a counter flow heat exchanger, a nozzle, an injector, a pump, a fan, a pipe, a condenser, a duct, cooling tower, air cooler, and the like.
- “Recovered heat source,” as used herein, refers to a source of heat that has been recovered from at least one of: a waste heat source and a supply heat source. The recovery can be accomplished either through a heat exchanger or directly.
- “Supply heat source,” as used herein, refers to a source of heat that is in its primary use or primary and secondary use, including steam directly from a boiler that is or can be made available to a point of use, hot air directly from a natural gas heater that is or can be made available to a point of use, and the like. The supply heat source can be in the form of at least one of: liquid, gas, vapor, steam, and the like and at least one of elevated temperatures and elevated pressures.
- “Waste heat output,” as used herein, refers to discharge of heat from a waste heat source and the like.
- “Waste heat source,” as used herein, refers to industrial heat that is not used by an industrial process and the like, excluding exhaust stack gas.
- One or more of the embodiments disclosed herein find application in heating algae production processes and methods that include algae in suspension in a body of water, in a photobioreactor, in a greenhouse, in algae processing, in processing algae, in growing algae, in algae production, and the like. Uses of the algae can be for the production of algae oil, beta carotene, nutritional supplements, nutritional ingredients in food, and an ingredient in animal food, solid fuel, liquid fuel, gaseous fuel, algae suspensions, and the like. Algae could be further processed to produce nutrients, fuel, biodiesel, algae-derived equivalent of petrochemicals, and the like.
- Generally, several embodiments of a method or process are provided to use heat in heat consuming processes or methods. In such a method or process, heat from an industrial process may be used to maintain or increase the temperature of the body of water or process. The heat source from the industrial process can be a heat that would have been dispersed as waste into the environment, any other type of heat source, or any combination f heat sources. The heat consuming process may be using heat that would have been dispersed as waste into the environment and, thus as a recovered heat source, the cost of the energy source is less and the process or method is efficient and makes the production or method economically competitive in regions with less than ideal temperatures for optimal algae growth. In an alternative method or process, as a backup heat source, supplemental heat source, or alternative heat source, the heat consuming process or method uses a supply heat source instead of a waste heat.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment illustrating a generalindustrial process 100 that has aninput energy source 110, aproduction process 120, aproduct output 130, asupply heat source 140, awaste heat source 160, and awaste heat output 190 that is dispersed into theenvironment 195 surrounding theindustrial process 100. Thesupply heat source 140 is a supply to a process or a method outside ofproduction process 120. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), thesupply heat source 140 is a supply to a process or a method inside ofproduction process 120. The generalindustrial process 100 can be one of many industrial processes that discharge awaste heat output 190 into theenvironment 195, including: a power plant, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, a manufacturing plant, and the like. Thesupply heat source 140,waste heat source 160, andwaste heat output 190 can be in various forms including: liquid, gas, vapor, and the like. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there are multipleindustrial processes 100. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are multiple supply heat sources 140. In yet another embodiment (not shown), there are multiple waste heat sources 160. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are multiple waste heat outputs 190. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there is a combination of at least two heat sources, which may include: asupply heat source 140, awaste heat source 160, and awaste heat output 190. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the heat source may not include exhaust stack gas. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic of one embodiment illustrating anindustrial process 200 that has aninput energy source 210, aproduction process 220, aproduct output 230, asupply heat source 240, aheat transfer device 250, awaste heat source 260, awaste heat output 290 that is dispersed into theenvironment 295 surrounding theindustrial process 200, and a recoveredheat source 215. Thesupply heat source 240 is a supply to a process or a method outside ofproduction process 220. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), thesupply heat source 240 is a supply to a process or a method inside ofproduction process 220. Theindustrial process 200 is similar to theindustrial process 100 inFIG. 1 above, but in addition, it has twoheat transfer devices 250 and two recoveredheat sources 215. In the illustrated embodiment, the twoheat transfer devices 250 absorb heat from thewaste heat source 260 and/orsupply heat source 240 before thewaste heat source 260 is dispersed into the environment and/or thesupply heat source 240 is transferred to another point of use, producing a recoveredheat source 215 andwaste heat output 290. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there is one heat transfer device 20 and one recoveredheat source 215. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are more than twoheat transfer devices 250 and more than two recoveredheat sources 215. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), heat is recovered from asupply heat source 240 simultaneously while being transferred to another point of use. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), asupply heat source 240 may not be used byindustrial process 200 but comes from another source. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the recoveredheat source 215 may be replaced with at least one of: asupply heat source 240, awaste heat source 260, and a recoveredheat source 215. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the heat source may not include exhaust stack gas. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic of one embodiment of anindustrial process 300 that includes aninput energy source 310, a production process that includes steps 320 a-320 d, aproduct output 330, asupply heat source 340, aheat transfer devices 350, awaste heat source 360, andwaste heat outputs 390 a-390 c that are dispersed into theenvironment 395 surrounding theindustrial process 300. In the illustrated embodiment, theindustrial process 300 has oneinput energy source 310 that can include at least one of the following: coal, natural gas, propane, oil, butane, diesel, hazardous waste, biomass, refuse, paper, regenerative fuels, and the like. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have more than oneinput energy sources 310. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
industrial process 300 has four production process steps 320 a-320 d. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have less than four production process steps. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have more than four production process steps. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, theindustrial process 300 has oneproduct output 330. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have more than oneproduct output 330. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, theindustrial process 300 has onesupply heat source 340, sometimes known as the heat inflow into the process. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have more than one supply heat sources 340. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), thesupply heat source 340 may encompassproduction process step 320 d. - With continued reference to
FIG. 3 , theindustrial process 300 has oneheat transfer device 350. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have more than oneheat transfer devices 350. In the illustrated embodiment, theindustrial process 300 has threewaste heat outputs 390 a-390 c that can include three of the following: water that may be at a higher temperature relative to the water (e.g. ocean, lake, river, pond, and the like) that it is dispersed into, hot water or steam which dissipates heat in a cooling tower, hot water or steam which dissipates heat in an air cooler that discharges warm air, and hot water vapor or steam dispersed from an industrial process. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have less than three waste heat outputs 390. In yet another alternative embodiments (not shown), theindustrial process 300 may have more than three waste heat outputs 390. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic of one embodiment ofalgae production 400 that includes anindustrial process 405, aheat transfer device 410, a recoveredheat source 415, a body ofwater 420, analgae population 425, a body of water control/monitor 430, acover 435, aliner 440, algae processing, 450, asupply heat source 455, awaste heat source 460, an industrial process contained body ofwater 465, anenvironment 495 surroundingalgae production 400, aheat transfer device 470 inside the body ofwater 420 or in the proximity of the body ofwater 420, amixer 475, acenter divider 480, and awaste heat output 490 that is dispersed to theenvironment 495. In yet another alternative embodiment,algae production 400 may include aharvesting system 445. Theindustrial process 405 can be one of many industrial processes that discharge awaste heat source 460 orsupply heat source 455, including: a power plant, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil emery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, ague synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, a manufacturing plant, and the like. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there are multipleindustrial processes 405. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there is not an industrial process contained body ofwater 465. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there are more than one industrial process contained bodies ofwater 465. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown),heat transfer device 410 is not used inalgae production 400. - With continued reference to
FIG. 4 , thesupply heat source 455 andwaste heat source 460 can be in various forms including: liquid, gas, vapor, steam, and the like. The dashed lines fromsupply heat source 455, fromwaste heat source 460, and toalgae processing 450 represent alternative embodiments and configurations. In another alternative embodiment (supply heat source 455 shown as a dashed line),waste heat source 460 is the only heat source to heattransfer device 410. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are more than one supply heat sources 455. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are more than one waste heat sources 460. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are a combination ofsupply heat sources 455 and waste heat sources 460. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the only input to heattransfer device 410 is asupply heat source 455. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), another form of heat is supplied to heattransfer device 410 including at least one of:supply heat source 455,waste heat source 460, and the like. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the heat source may not include exhaust stack gas. - In the illustrated embodiment, there is one
heat transfer device 410. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there is more than oneheat transfer device 410. In the illustrated embodiment, one recoveredheat supply 415 goes to the body ofwater 420. The recoveredheat supply 415 may be transferred to the body ofwater 420 by a plurality of fluid movers, including a plurality of the following: a pump, a fan, a mixer, a pipe, a duct, an injector, a nozzle, a damper, and a valve. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the plurality of fluid movers include at least one of: a supply heat system, a return heat system, a return of the heat-transfer medium following the heat transfer system, and a fluid mover by-pass. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there is more than one recoveredheat supply 415 that goes to the body ofwater 420. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), awaste heat source 460 may go directly to the body ofwater 420. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), asupply heat source 455 may go directly to the body ofwater 420. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown),algae production 400 includes acover 435 but lacks an outside heat source, including one of: a recoveredheat supply 415, asupply heat source 455, and awaste heat source 460. In another alternative embodiment (not shown),algae production 400 does not include acover 435 but includes an outside heat source, including one of: a recoveredheat supply 415, asupply heat source 455, and awaste heat source 460. - With continued reference in
FIG. 4 , in the illustrated embodiment, four bodies ofwater 420 consume heat. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there are less than four bodies ofwater 420. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), there are more than four bodies ofwater 420. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown),algae production 400 includes at least one of: a body of water having an algae population in suspension, a photobioreactor, algae processing, growing algae, and an algae drying process. In another embodiment (not shown),algae production 400 may not include a photobioreactor. In the illustrated embodiment, the bodies ofwater 420 are all oval. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the bodies ofwater 420 are in the shape of at least one of a circle, an oval, an oval with a center island, an oval with a center divider, a raceway, a square, a rectangle, a trench, a trench that narrows toward the bottom, a rounded rectangle, a trapezoid, a triangle, a cross, a crescent moon shape, piping, and the like. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the body ofwater 420 may not include a photobioreactor. - In the illustrated embodiment, an
algae population 425 is within the body ofwater 420. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), thealgae population 425 is within at least one of: a body of water having an algae population in suspension, a photobioreactor, algae processing, growing algae, and an algae drying process. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the algae population is from at least one of a local algae population, a foreign algae population, and a genetically modified algae. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), thealgae population 425 may not be within a photobioreactor. Local algae populations are algae found in nature in less than or equal to one-hundred and fifty (150) miles from the algae production site. Foreign algae populations are algae found in nature outside one-hundred and fifty (150) miles from the algae production site or genetically modified algae. - In the illustrated embodiment, the body of
water 420 that contains analgae population 425 is maintained by use of a body of water control/monitor 430. In the illustrated embodiment, the body ofwater 420 is being monitored and controlled for temperature by the body of water control/monitor 430. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the body ofwater 420 is being monitored and controlled by the body of water control/monitor 430 for at least one of: nitrogen, nitrates, nitrogen containing substances, phosphorous, phosphates, phosphorous containing substances, potassium, potassium containing substances, silicon, silica, silicates, silicon containing substances, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pH, temperature, and population density of the algae in suspension. - In the illustrated embodiment, the body of
water 420 is heated with the recoveredheat supply 415 by transmitting heat from hot gas to aheat transfer device 470 inside the body ofwater 420. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the body of water 420 is heated with the recovered heat supply 415 by at least one of the following: hot gas to a heat exchanger located the body of water that transmits heat into the body of water, hot gas to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, hot gas injection into the body of water, hot vapor injection into the body of water, hot vapor to a heat exchanger in the body of water that transfers heat into the body of water, hot vapor to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, hot liquid injection directly into the body of water, hot liquid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in the body of water that transfers heat into the body of water, hot liquid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, body of water fluid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in the industrial process that transfers heat to the body of water fluid which is then returned to the body of water, body of water fluid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the industrial process that transfers heat to the body of water fluid which is then returned to the body of water, hot vapor transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct, hot gas transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct, and hot liquid transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct. In the alternative embodiment where theheat transfer device 470 is located in proximity to the heat consuming process, further fluid transfer devices would be needed to transfer the heat from the heat exchanger to the body ofwater 420 or heat consuming process. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the body of water 420 is heated with the supply heat source 455 by at least one of the following: hot gas to a heat exchanger located in the body of water that transmits heat into the body of water, hot gas to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, hot gas injection into the body of water, hot vapor injection into the body of water, hot vapor to a heat exchanger in the body of water that transfers heat into the body of water, hot vapor to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, hot liquid injection directly into the body of water, hot liquid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in the body of water that transfers heat into the body of water, hot liquid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, body of water fluid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in the industrial process that transfers heat to the body of water fluid which is then returned to the body of water, body of water fluid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the industrial process that transfers heat to the body of water fluid which is then returned to the body of water, hot vapor transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct, hot gas transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct, and hot liquid transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct. In still another alternative embodiment (not shown),waste heat source 460 transmits heat to the body of water through a pipe, duct, or the like that runs through the body of water. - In the illustrated embodiment, the body of
water 420 may be covered with acover 435. Thecover 435 is made of material that allows passage of light, the material that allows passage of light being one of: plastic, polymeric material, glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, and the like. In another embodiment (not shown), thecover 435 may be made of one of polypropylene and polyethylene. In yet another embodiment (not shown), thecover 435 includes at least one of: insulation, single layer of covering, multiple layers of covering, multiple layers separated by an air or gas pocket of circulated or stagnant air or gas, an opening to allow heat removal, a vent for gaseous material removal, sections that can be removed from above the body of water, a retractable section, a removable panel, a roll-up section, and the like. In another embodiment (not shown), thecover 435 is of a construction including at least one of: gutter connected, free standing, round house, round house with sides, gothic arch, gothic arch with sides, cover with strapping, cover without strapping, floating cover, cover supported over a structure, and a cover supported over a divider. In another embodiment (not shown), thecover 435 is supported by one of: a structure, divider, and the like. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the support for thecover 435 is partially from one of: a structure and divider. In another embodiment (not shown), the structure that supports thecover 435 is made of earth, steel, plastic, glass, polymeric material, fiberglass, dirt, soil, rock, and the like. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the divider that supports thecover 435 is made of earth, steel, plastic, glass, polymeric material, fiberglass, dirt, soil, rock, and the like. In another embodiment (not shown), thecover 435 is over a photobioreactor with one of: supports and without supports. In yet another embodiment (not shown), thecover 435 is placed over a photobioreactor and the photobioreactor forms part of the structure that supports thecover 435. In another embodiment (not shown),algae production 400 does not have acover 435. - With continued reference to
FIG. 4 , in the illustrated embodiment, the body ofwater 420 may have aliner 440 made from a geo-membrane material that lines the lower surface of the body ofwater 420. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theliner 440 may be made from at least one of: a geo-membrane, plastic, polymeric material, rubber, synthetic rubber, fiberglass, cement, crushed stone, sand, clay, soil, and dirt. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the body ofwater 420 may not have aliner 440. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
algae population 425 in the body ofwater 420 may be harvested with aharvesting system 445 with nano-particle filters. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), thealgae population 425 in the body ofwater 420 may be harvested with aharvesting system 445 that includes at least one of: a nano-particle titter, a skimmer, a centrifuge, a vacuum, dissolved air flotation, a mechanical press, and a pump. - In the illustrated embodiment, after the
algae population 425 is grown and then may be harvested with the harvesting,system 445, the algae may be transferred toalgae processing 450, may be dried with the recoveredheat source 415, and then may be further processed. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the algae is dried inalgae processing 450 with at least one of a recoveredheat source 415, asupply heat source 455, and awaste heat source 460, in yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the algae is dried inalgae processing 450 with a backup heat source including at least one of: a recoveredheat source 415, asupply heat source 455, awaste heat source 460 and the like from theindustrial process 405 or steam heat from analgae production process 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the recoveredheat supply 415 is returned to theenvironment 495 afteralgae production 400 consumes the heat. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), some or all of the recoveredheat supply 415 is returned back to the at least one of:industrial process 405,heat transfer device 410, andenvironment 495, in yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), theenvironment 495 may include at least one of: air, water, earth, and underground. The algae production ofFIG. 4 may contain any or all of the disclosed embodiments and disclosed alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 1-3 discussed above andFIGS. 5-10 discussed below. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic of one embodiment ofalgae production 500 that includes an industrial process 505, aheat transfer device 510, a recoveredheat source 515, a body ofwater 520, analgae population 525, body of water controls/monitors 530, acover 535, aliner 540, aharvesting system 545,algae processing 550, a supply heat source 555 (not shown), awaste heat source 560, an industrial process contained body ofwater 565, anenvironment 595 surroundingalgae production 500, aheat exchanger 570, amixer 575,center divider 580, awaste heat output 590 that is dispersed to theenvironment 595, and a CO2 rich exhaust gas source combined withhot gas 585. In the illustrated embodiment, the industrial process 505 is a kiln cement process with industrial process steps 505 a-505 k. In the illustrated embodiment, the heatexchange bypass process 505 j adds flexibility to the system to allow the operator of the industrial process 505 to turn theheat transfer device 510 on or off. If theheat transfer device 510 is on, then wasteheat source 560 goes throughheat transfer device 510. If theheat transfer device 510 is off, then wasteheat source 560 goes through the bypass 505 k. in the illustrated embodiment, the industrial process 505 has threeheat transfer devices 510, labeled 1, 2, and 3. In another embodiment (not shown), there are less than threeheat transfer devices 510. In yet another embodiment (not shown), there are more than threeheat transfer devices 510. In yet another alternative embodiment,algae production 500 may not include aharvesting system 545. The illustrated embodiment includes amixer 575 and acenter divider 580 in one body ofwater 520. In another embodiment, amixer 575 or acenter divider 580 are in at least one body ofwater 520. In another embodiment, themixer 575 and acenter divider 580 are not in a body ofwater 520. In another embodiment, themixer 575 or acenter divider 580 are not in a body ofwater 520. In the illustrated embodiment, a CO2 rich exhaust gas source combined withhot gas 585 is piped into thealgae production 500 before being dispersed into theenvironment 595. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the CO2 rich exhaust gas source combined withhot gas 585 is not part ofalgae production 500. - With continued reference to
FIG. 5 , thecover 535 may include at least one of: insulation, single layer of covering, multiple layers of covering, multiple layers separated by a gas or air pocket of circulated or stagnant gas or air, an opening to allow heat removal, a vent for gaseous material removal, sections that can be removed from above the body of water, a retractable section, a removable panel, a roll-up section, and the like. In another embodiment (not shown), thecover 535 is of a construction at least one of: gutter connected, free standing, round house, round house with sides, gothic arch, gothic arch with sides, cover with strapping, cover without strapping, floating cover, cover draped over a divider, and the like. In another embodiment (not shown), a divider is the only structure that supports thecover 535. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the cover may be supported by a structure. In another embodiment (not shown), a center divider is part of the structure that supports thecover 535. In another embodiment (not shown), thecover 535 is not part ofalgae production 500. - In the illustrated embodiment, the body of
water 520 may have aliner 540 made from a geo-membrane material that lines the lower surface of the body ofwater 520. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theliner 540 is made from at least one of: a geo-membrane, plastic, polymeric material, rubber, synthetic rubber, fiberglass, cement, crushed stone, sand, clay, and dirt. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), the body ofwater 520 does not have aliner 540. The algae production ofFIG. 5 may contain any or all of the disclosed embodiments and disclosed alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 1-4 discussed above andFIGS. 6-10 discussed below. -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic sectional view of theheat transfer device 510 including asecondary fan 505 j and a by-pass 505 k, of one embodiment of algae production in conjunction with an industrial process 505 inFIG. 5 , discussed above. The sectional view shows aprimary exhaust fan 505 h, a secondary by-pass fan 505 j, aheat transfer device 510, awaste heat source 560, awaste heat output 590, a CO2 supply withhot gas 585, and a returnwaste heat source 560. The illustrated embodiment shows howwaste heat source 560 can either be directed throughprimary fan 505 h to thewaste heat output 590 or be directed to secondary by-pass fan 505 j where thewaste heat source 560 can be directed to theheat transfer device 510 or to the by-pass 505 k where thewaste heat source 560 is sent to the industrialwaste heat output 590 and dispersed toenvironment 595, rather than the algae process. In an alternative embodiment (not shown),waste heat source 560 can flow to both 505 h and 505 j in what is sometimes known as a split stream or slip stream. In the illustrated embodiment, there is oneheat transfer device 510 and one by-pass 505 k. In alternative embodiments (not shown), there are more than oneheat transfer devices 510 and more than one by-passes 505 k. In another embodiment (not shown), thewaste heat source 560 is dispersed back toalgae production 500. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), there is no secondary by-pass fan 505 j. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), thewaste heat source 560 and CO2 rich exhaust gas source combined withhot gas 585 are combined in one output. In still another embodiment (not shown), the CO2 rich exhaust gas source combined withhot gas 585 comes from a location afterprimary fan 505 h. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the CO2 rich exhaust gas source combined withhot gas 585 comes from an area further upstream ofprimary Jim 505 h. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the piping configuration varies but still achieves the purpose embodied inFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 7 is a schematic of one embodiment ofalgae production 700 that includes anindustrial process 705. Thealgae production 700 is similar to thealgae production 400, discussed above inFIG. 4 , including having aheat transfer device 710, a recoveredheat source 715, a body ofwater 720, analgae population 725, a body of water control/monitor 730, acover 735, aliner 740, aharvesting system 745,algae processing 750, asupply heat source 755, awaste heat source 760, awaste heat output 790, anenvironment 795 surroundingalgae production 700, and aheat transfer device 770 inside the body ofwater 720 or in proximity to the body ofwater 720. In the illustrated embodiment, theindustrial process 705 is a power plant that supplies heat in the form of hot water or steam assupply heat source 755 orwaste heat source 760. In another embodiment (not shown), theindustrial process 705 can be at least one of: a power plant, an industrial process, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plant, an industrial plant, a manufacturing plant, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, after the body ofwater 720 absorbs the heat from the recoveredheat source 715 transferring medium via theheat transfer device 770, then the cooled recoveredheat source 715 is returned to theindustrial process 705 or is dispersed into theenvironment 795. The algae production ofFIG. 7 may contain any or all of the disclosed embodiments and disclosed alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 1-6 discussed above andFIGS. 8-10 discussed below. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic of one embodiment ofalgae production 800 that includes anindustrial process 805. Thealgae production 800 is similar toalgae production 400, discussed above inFIG. 4 , including having aheat transfer device 810, a recoveredheat supply 815, a body ofwater 820, analgae population 825, a body of water control/monitor 830, acover 835, aliner 840, aharvesting system 845,algae processing 850, a supply heat source 855 (not shown), awaste heat source 860, a waste heat output 890 that removes waste heat from the industrial process to anenvironment 895 that surrounds thealgae production 800, and aheat transfer device 870 inside the body ofwater 820. In the illustrated embodiment, the waste heat output 890 is an air cooler that removes waste heat fromwaste heat source 860, if not recovered by theheat transfer device 810 in the form of a recoveredheat supply 815. In the illustrated embodiment, thewaste heat source 860 is transferred to theheat transfer device 810 and then can either go to one of several bodies ofwater 820 where the water absorbs the recovered heat throughheat transfer device 870 or it can be dispersed to theenvironment 895 through waste heat output 890. In the illustrated embodiment, on the return loop, depending on operating conditions of theindustrial process 805, recoveredheat supply 815 can take four paths, labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, including one of: dispersed to theenvironment 895 through the waste heat output 890, returned directly to theenvironment 895, returned back to theindustrial process 805, and returned back to theheat transfer device 810 where it will absorb more waste heat energy. In another embodiment (not shown), thealgae production 800 is supplied with heat from a supply heat source 855. In another illustrated embodiment, the waste heat output 890 is one of: an air cooler, a water tower, an exhaust stack, a cooling tower, a heat sink, and the like. The algae production ofFIG. 8 may contain any or all of the disclosed embodiments and disclosed alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 1-7 discussed above andFIGS. 9-10 discussed below. -
FIG. 9 is a schematic of one embodiment ofalgae production 900 that includes anindustrial process 905. Thealgae production 900 is similar to thealgae production 800, discussed above inFIG. 8 , including having a body ofwater 920, analgae population 925, a body of water control/monitor 930, acover 935, aliner 940, aharvesting system 945, algae processing 950 (not shown), a supply heat source 955 (not shown), awaste heat source 960, awaste heat output 990, anenvironment 995 surrounding thealgae production 900. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
waste heat source 960 is warm air, vapor, gas, water, or steam that is transferred to the location of the body ofwater 920 andalgae population 925, then directly injected into the body ofwater 920. In an alternative embodiment (as shown with dotted lines), thewaste heat source 960 is combined with a CO2 exhaust supply combined with hot gas orvapor 985 and then injected into the body ofwater 920. In yet another embodiment, hot air from awaste heat output 960 is mixed with an industrial exhaust stream containing CO2 exhaust supply combined with hot gas orvapor 985 and then injected into the body ofwater 920. In the illustrated embodiment, since thewaste heat source 960 is injected into the body ofwater 920, there is no return loop back to theindustrial process 905. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), since thewaste heat source 960 is injected into the one body ofwater 920, there is a return loop from 920 into an industrial process contained body of water 965. In another embodiment (not shown), thealgae production 900 is supplied with heat from a supply heat source 955. In another embodiment (not shown), thewaste heat output 990 is at least one of: an air cooler, a water tower, an exhaust stack, a cooling tower, a heat sink, and the like. The algae production ofFIG. 9 may contain any or all of the disclosed embodiments and disclosed alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 1-8 discussed above andFIG. 10 discussed below. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic of one embodiment ofalgae production 1000 that includes anindustrial process 1005. Thealgae production 1000 is similar to thealgae production 400, discussed above inFIG. 4 , including having a body ofwater 1020, analgae population 1025, a body of water control/monitor 1030, acover 1035, aliner 1040, aharvesting system 1045, algae processing 1050 (not shown), a supply heat source 1055 (not shown), awaste heat source 1060, a waste heat output 1090 (not shown), anenvironment 1095 surrounding thealgae production 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, thewaste heat source 1060 is warm water that is injected directly into the body ofwater 1020 andalgae population 1025. Further, illustrating the same embodiment, water from the body ofwater 1020 is then circulated back to theindustrial process 1005 where more heat is absorbed from theindustrial process 1005 and returned to the body ofwater 1020 as awaste heat source 1060. In another embodiment (not shown), the liquid from the body ofwater 1020 is used in combination with an alternative water source. In another embodiment (not shown), only an alternative water source is used. In another embodiment (not shown),algae production 1000 is supplied with heat from a supply heat source 1055. In another illustrated embodiment, the waste heat output 1090 is one of: an air cooler, a water tower, an exhaust stack, a cooling tower, a heat sink, and the like. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), thewaste heat source 1060 is combined with a CO2 exhaust supply and hot gas 1085 and then injected into the body ofwater 1020. The algae production ofFIG. 10 may contain any or all of the disclosed embodiments and disclosed alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 1-9 discussed above. -
FIGS. 11-14 are embodiments of heat exchangers incorporated in the embodiments above and included as heat transfer devices in the definitions above.FIG. 11 is a heat exchanger that has a built in fan(s) that act as a fluid mover to increase flow of supply heat, recovered heat, or waste heat so heat transfer is increased.FIG. 12 are examples of plate heat exchangers.Flow 1 represents a warm fluid andflow 2 represents a cooler fluid that is to be heated by the transfer of heat fromfluid 1.FIG. 13 is an example of a shell and tube heat exchanger. In a shell and tube heat exchanger, the hot fluid moves through the shell of the heat exchanger and the gas or liquid to be heated moves through the tubes of the heat exchanger. Lastly,FIG. 14 is a schematic of a regenerative heat exchanger, also known as a countercurrent exchange, a regenerator, or an economizer. Regenerative heat exchangers come in plate or shell and tube forms. In another embodiment (not shown), a heat transfer device may include a condenser as found in a power plant. In yet another embodiment (not shown), heat from another industrial cooling technique is transferred to the body of water with algae in suspension using piping, duct work, and other fluid moving devices.FIGS. 11-14 are not meant to be an exhaustive display of heat exchangers that one skilled in the art may likely use to transfer heat, but only as representative examples of types of heat exchangers that one skilled in the art may use to transfer heat into a heat consuming process or method. -
FIGS. 15-16 are examples of covers that are incorporated in the some of the embodiments above. Covers that may be incorporated in the embodiments above, include one of: gutter connected greenhouse, free standing or round greenhouse, round greenhouse with sides, gothic arch greenhouse, cover without a supporting structure, cover draped over center island divider, covers laid on water surfaces that have periodic floating sections that maintain a space between the cover and the surface of the body of water, covers supported only by a divider structure, and covers supported by a structure that includes a divider, cover supported over a structure, and a cover supported over a divider. In another embodiment (not shown), the cover is supported by at least one of a structure, divider, and the like. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the support for the cover is partially from one of: a structure and divider. In another embodiment (not shown), the structure that supports the cover is made of at least one: earth, steel, aluminum, metal alloys, plastic, glass, polymeric material, fiberglass, dirt, soil, rock, and the like. The covers may have, at least one of; a support material, strapping, height divider, height structure, support strapping over cover, and support strapping below cover. In another embodiment (not shown), the cover incorporates a structure that allows for a mixer. - While the systems, methods, and so on have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail, it is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and so on provided herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative system or method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (20)
1. A heat recovery system, comprising:
a waste heat source;
a heat consuming process, wherein the heat consuming process contains an algae population, wherein heat from the waste heat source is used to heat the heat consuming process, wherein the waste heat source does not come into direct contact with the heat consuming process;
one or more heat transmitting devices, wherein at least one heat transmitting device is located in the heat consuming process; and
a fluid mover.
2. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , wherein the waste heat source is one or more waste heat sources selected from the group consisting of a power plant, an industrial process, a cement plant, a kiln, an agricultural product processing plant, a processing plant, an incinerator, a furnace, an oven, an oil refinery, a petrochemical plant, a chemical plant, an ethanol plant, an amine treating plant, a natural gas processing plant, a steel plant, a metals plant, an ammonia plant, a coal gasification plant, a refinery, a liquid synthetic fuel plant, a gas synthetic fuel plan, an industrial plant, and a manufacturing plant.
3. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , wherein the algae population in the heat consuming process is growing in culture.
4. The heat recovery system of claim 3 , wherein the waste heat source is used to increase the growth of the algae population in culture.
5. The heat recovery system of claim 3 , wherein the waste heat source is used to increase the temperature of the heat consuming process to grow the algae in culture.
6. The heat recovery system of claim 3 , wherein the waste heat source is used to maintain the temperature of the heat consuming process to achieve optimal productivity.
7. The heat recovery system of claim 3 , wherein the waste heat source is used to prevent adverse effects in the growth of the algae in culture.
8. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , wherein the heat consuming process is one or more processes selected from the group consisting of a body of water with an algae in suspension, an algae drying process, an algae processing facility, an algae growing facility, an algae production facility, and an algae photobioreactor.
9. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , wherein the algae in the heat consuming process is algae in suspension.
10. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one heat consuming process is operatably connected to the waste heat source by a device selected from the group consisting of hot gas to a heat exchanger located in the body of water that transmits heat into the body of water, hot gas to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, hot gas injection into the body of water, hot vapor injection into the body of water, hot vapor to a heat exchanger in the body of water that transfers heat into the body of water, hot vapor to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, hot liquid injection directly into the body of water, hot liquid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in the body of water that transfers heat into the body of water, hot liquid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the body of water that transfers heat to and into the body of water, body of water fluid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in the industrial process that transfers heat to the body of water fluid which is then returned to the body of water, body of water fluid transmitted to a heat exchanger located in proximity to the industrial process that transfers heat to the body of water fluid which is then returned to the body of water, hot vapor transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct, hot gas transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct, and hot liquid transmitted to the body of water in a pipe or a duct that transfers heat into the body of water through the pipe or the duct.
11. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid mover is selected from the group consisting of one or more of a pump, a fan, a mixer, a pipe, a duct work, an injector, a nozzle, a damper, a valve, a supply of heat, a return of heat, and a fluid mover by-pass.
12. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , further comprising a cover wherein the cover comprises a material that allows passage of light, wherein the material that allows passage of light is selected from the group consisting of one or more of plastic, polymeric material, glass, acrylic, and polycarbonate.
13. The heat recovery system of claim 12 , wherein the cover is selected from the group consisting of one or more of insulation, single layer of covering, multiple layers of covering, multiple layers separated by a gas pocket of circulated or stagnant gas, an opening to allow heat removal, a vent for gaseous material removal, sections that can be removed from above the body of water, a retractable section, a removable panel, a roll-up section.
14. The heat recovery system of claim 13 , wherein the cover is constructed with a structure selected from the group consisting of gutter connected, free standing, round house, round house with sides, gothic arch, gothic arch with sides, cover with strapping, cover without strapping, cover draped over divider, floating cover with structure over part of the water, floating cover that has a substantial portion not touching the water, cover supported only by divider structure, a cover supported by a structure including a divider, and a cover supported over a structure.
15. The heat recovery system of claim 14 , wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of one or more of earth, steel, aluminum, metal alloy, plastic, glass, polymeric material, fiberglass, dirt, soil, sand, and rock.
16. The heat recovery system of claim 1 , further comprising one or both a supply heat source and a recovered heat source, wherein the supply heat source or recovered heat source are used to heat the heat consuming process.
17. The heat recovery system of claim 16 , wherein the algae in the heat consuming process is growing in culture.
18. The heat recovery system of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the waste heat source, the supply heat source and the recovered heat source are used to grow the algae culture.
19. The heat recovery system of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the waste heat source, the supply heat source and the recovered heat source are used to increase the temperature of the heat consuming process to achieve optimal productivity.
20. The heat recovery system of claim 17 , wherein at least one of the waste heat source, the supply heat source and the recovered heat source are used to prevent adverse effects in the growth of the algae in culture.
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- 2008-10-22 AU AU2008319030A patent/AU2008319030A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-10-22 CN CN2008801230821A patent/CN101909429A/en active Pending
- 2008-10-22 EP EP08844194A patent/EP2222155A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2008-10-22 RU RU2010121249/10A patent/RU2010121249A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2008-10-22 CA CA2703777A patent/CA2703777C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US8889400B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2014-11-18 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Diluting exhaust gas being supplied to bioreactor |
US8940520B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2015-01-27 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Process for growing biomass by modulating inputs to reaction zone based on changes to exhaust supply |
US8969067B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2015-03-03 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Process for growing biomass by modulating supply of gas to reaction zone |
US11512278B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2022-11-29 | Pond Technologies Inc. | Biomass production |
US11612118B2 (en) | 2010-05-20 | 2023-03-28 | Pond Technologies Inc. | Biomass production |
US11124751B2 (en) | 2011-04-27 | 2021-09-21 | Pond Technologies Inc. | Supplying treated exhaust gases for effecting growth of phototrophic biomass |
US9534261B2 (en) | 2012-10-24 | 2017-01-03 | Pond Biofuels Inc. | Recovering off-gas from photobioreactor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP2222155A1 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
AU2008319030A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
CA2703777A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
CN101909429A (en) | 2010-12-08 |
US20090113790A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
WO2009058621A1 (en) | 2009-05-07 |
CA2703777C (en) | 2016-05-10 |
RU2010121249A (en) | 2011-12-10 |
EP2222155A4 (en) | 2012-04-04 |
US7905049B2 (en) | 2011-03-15 |
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