| CPC C08B 37/0003 (2013.01) [A01G 33/00 (2013.01); C08B 37/0039 (2013.01); C08B 37/0042 (2013.01); C08B 37/0084 (2013.01); C12M 21/02 (2013.01); C12M 23/22 (2013.01); C12M 27/02 (2013.01); C12M 29/04 (2013.01); C12M 41/24 (2013.01); C12M 41/40 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
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1. A bioreactor system to produce a bioplastic from macroalgae, the bioreactor system comprising:
a process chamber with a surface having an inlet, the process chamber including a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor;
a rotor stator disperser;
a variable rate compressor motor;
a refrigerator including a drive motor;
a heating element;
a sieve;
a mold; and
an electronic controller configured to:
control release of hydrocolloid, which is derived from the macroalgae, to a volume of water in the process chamber through the inlet on the surface of the process chamber to form an agar solution;
cause the rotor stator disperser to homogenize the agar solution in the process chamber, wherein the rotor stator disperser is submerged into the agar solution via the inlet on the surface of the process chamber;
request a temperature reading from the temperature sensor in the process chamber to measure the temperature of the homogenized agar solution;
execute predictive algorithms to control the variable rate compressor motor based on temperature, pressure, and air quality readings in the process chamber to regulate a rate of release of heat, refrigerant, purge gas or oxygen in the process chamber via the variable rate compressor motor;
respond to a measured temperature that exceeds a threshold temperature by causing the temperature of the process chamber to be reduced by varying speed of the drive motor of the refrigerator based on pressure readings from the pressure sensor and temperature readings from the temperature sensor in the process chamber;
request instructions from the predictive algorithms for an assessment of image quality of the agar solution for cloudy characteristics to identify impurities of low optical transparency;
respond to the measured temperature and the assessment from the predictive algorithms, by controlling temperature in the process chamber via the heating element, the heating element configured to heat the homogenized agar solution in the process chamber;
direct the sieve to facilitate transport of the homogenized, heated agar solution in the process chamber to the mold;
control cooling the homogenized, heated, molded agar solution to a temperature sufficient for the homogenized, heated, molded agar solution to solidify;
cause the homogenized, heated, molded, solidified agar solution to rest for a time sufficient for at least a component of the homogenized, heated, molded, solidified agar solution to saturate and disperse; and cause dehydration of the homogenized, heated, molded, solidified agar solution to form a bioplastic having substantial optical transparency and durability.
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