Resumen
The invention relates to a modular photobioreactor for the production of microalgae, intended in particular for absorbing emission gases with a high carbon dioxide (CO2) content. The invention is based on: the continuous recirculation of a microalgae-containing liquid medium through sheets of fabric that facilitate CO2 absorption, and the illumination of the microalgae. The invention allows the aforementioned gases to be added to the culture from inside the chamber. The invention is advantageous in that it provides highly efficient algae illumination, facilitates the exchange of CO2 from the emission gases to the culture, and can be used at a low cost on a large scale.
Reivindicaciones
1. A laminar photobioreactor for the production of microalgae, comprising: - a panel formed by a rack or frame (1) covered at both sides by at least one sheet of mesh (5) through which a microalgae-containing liquid medium flows downwards, and - an inner chamber between said sheets of mesh (5) and the walls of the rack or frame (1), air-tight by means of hydraulic closure. 2. The photobioreactor according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of mesh (5) is made of synthetic material, glass fiber, natural fiber, metallic material, or combinations thereof. 3. The photobioreactor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sheet of mesh (5) is supplemented by at least one sheet of fabric (6). 4. The photobioreactor according to claim 3, wherein said sheet of fabric (6) is made of synthetic material, natural fibers, or combinations thereof. 5. The photobioreactor according to claim 4, wherein said synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of PVC, polystyrene and polypropylene. 6. The photobioreactor according to any of claims 1 to 5 having a transparent plastic covering on said sheets at both sides. 7. The photobioreactor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower edges of said sheets (5, 6) discharge the microalgae-containing liquid medium to a channel (8) communicating with a tank system (11) located in the lower part of the photobioreactor. 8. The photobioreactor according to claim 7, wherein the liquid medium is recirculated to the upper part of the frame (1) from said tank system (11). 9. The photobioreactor according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein said tank system (11) includes a decanting tank allowing the sedimentation of the microalgae. 10. The photobioreactor according to claim 9, wherein said sedimentation occurs in the presence of flocculants. 11. The photobioreactor according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a gas is introduced into said chamber. 12. The photobioreactor according to claim 11, wherein said gas is isolated from direct solar radiation. 13. The photobioreactor according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said gas is air, carbon dioxide, combustion gases, or the mixtures thereof. 14. A set of at least two photobioreactors according to any of the preceding claims connected in parallel in a modular structure.
