US 12,410,388 B2
Photobioreactor systems and methods
Beau G. Perry, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Blue Evolution Inc., Los Altos, CA (US)
Filed by Blue Evolution Inc., Los Altos, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/228,416.
Application 18/228,416 is a continuation of application No. 17/564,779, filed on Dec. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,866,681.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/172,407, filed on Apr. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0407218 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C12M 1/00 (2006.01); A01G 7/04 (2006.01); A01G 33/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/36 (2006.01); C12M 3/00 (2006.01); C12N 5/04 (2006.01)
CPC C12M 21/02 (2013.01) [A01G 7/045 (2013.01); A01G 33/00 (2013.01); C12M 23/46 (2013.01); C12M 29/00 (2013.01); C12M 41/48 (2013.01); C12N 5/04 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A photobioreactor comprising:
a containment structure arranged to contain a liquid culture medium for cultivating seaweed, the containment structure including at least one sidewall extending vertically between a top section and a bottom section;
a spiral liner positioned adjacent to an inside surface of the at least one sidewall and being in contact with the liquid culture medium, the spiral liner configured to enable, at least partially, a downward spiral flow path for the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure;
an array of sensors positioned along the downward spiral flow path configured to monitor at least one environmental condition within the photobioreactor;
a plurality of flow generators, positioned within the containment structure in a spiral configuration between the top section and bottom section along the downward spiral flow path, configured to direct a flow of the liquid culture medium from the top section toward the bottom section of the containment structure along the downward spiral flow path; and
an array of light emitters arranged along a surface of the spiral liner adjacent to the downward spiral flow path.