US 12,082,530 B2
Biofiltration system for harvesting microalgae and related methods
Zhi-Yan Du, Honolulu, HI (US); Muhammad Fadzlan Bin Kamarudzaman, East Lansing, MI (US); Warren Purvin, East Lansing, MI (US); Spencer Rinke, East Lansing, MI (US); Tomo Max Saito, East Lansing, MI (US); and Chad Winner, East Lansing, MI (US)
Assigned to BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI (US)
Filed by BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/111,922.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/944,088, filed on Dec. 5, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0169005 A1, Jun. 10, 2021
Int. Cl. A01D 44/00 (2006.01); C02F 1/00 (2023.01); C02F 3/06 (2023.01); C02F 3/34 (2023.01); C02F 103/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 44/00 (2013.01) [C02F 1/001 (2013.01); C02F 3/06 (2013.01); C02F 3/347 (2013.01); C02F 2103/007 (2013.01); C02F 2203/006 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
 
1. A microalgae filtration system comprising:
a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet, and comprising a plurality of modular filtration units defining a continuous fluid flow path from the inlet, through the modular filtration units, and to the outlet;
wherein:
each modular filtration unit comprises a fungal filter comprising (i) a perforated support having a solid surface and defining an open area, and (ii) a capture fungus on the solid surface of the perforated support;
the fungal filter is adapted to be removed and replaced from the modular filtration unit;
the continuous fluid flow path passes through the fungal filter; and
the capture fungus is adapted to capture one or more types of microalgae upon contact of the capture fungus with the microalgae.