HYBRID SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING ALGAL GROWTH USING VERTICAL MEMBRANES

摘要

A method for enhancing gas-to-liquid transfer rate and algal growth using vertical membranes suspended over a pond, wherein the membranes are formed of fibers. An aqueous solution is applied to the top edges of the membranes through a series of headers. The membranes are exposed to a stream of gas containing soluble gas species as the aqueous solution migrates downwardly through the membranes by virtue of gravity-assisted capillary action. The aqueous solution collects the soluble gases from the gas stream, thus promoting the growth of photosynthetic organisms on the membranes and in the pond. The membranes facilitate a gradual introduction of the aqueous solution into the pond at a preferred rate of about 1.3 gallons per minute per linear foot of membrane for optimizing the transfer soluble species from gaseous phase to aqueous phase without rapidly acidifying the pond and harming the phototrophic organisms.