AQUAMERSION™:

AQUAMERSION™ is a revolutionary water-filled, tubular light distribution system designed to illuminate, from the inside, bubble column and air-lift algal bioreactors.  It works equally well with artificial and natural light sources; and can easily enable the scaling up of these systems.

THE INDUSTRY PROBLEM:

The growth of algae is receiving a significant amount of attention due to its perceived uses as a source of combustible fuel, a source of nourishment, a raw material for biodegradable plastics, and a consumer of carbon dioxide which is widely viewed as a threat to the environment.  Most forms of algae require light to thrive.  In anticipation of a large demand for algae, it would be preferable to grow algae in very large tanks. If such tanks are intended to grow algae on a continuous basis, there is a need to supply light throughout the interior of these tanks.  Light simply directed on the top or outside surfaces of large tanks (external light), even if these tanks were formed of a transparent material, would be inadequate since the algae close to the surface and sidewalls of these tanks would block infiltration of light into the interior – and limit the algae growth.

THE PATENT:

The USPTO issued US Patent 8,998,472 B2 titled LIQUID FILLED LIGHT GUIDE CONTAINING VOIDS WITHIN THE WALL, to Walter A. Johanson on 7 April, 2015. According to the USPTO: “No prior art was found teaching individually, or suggesting in combination, all of the features of the applicants’ invention, specifically a liquid-filled light guide tube with voids and void-less areas formed within the light guide tube sidewall, for effecting light extraction from the liquid-filled light guide.”

THE PROMISE

For more detailed information on the on AQUAMERSION™ , click on:

AQUAMERSION OVERVIEW DOCUMENT D