• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    Abstract The present invention relates generally to a method of growing an organic product such as an algae product. The method of a preferred embodiment comprises the steps of: 1. directing greenhouse gas emission at 10 to a growth reservoir at 12 including organic matter; 2. promoting growth of the organic matter in the growth reservoir at 12 by exposing it to sunlight together with the greenhouse gas emissions; 3. discharging the organic matter into one of plurality of growth ponds at 14A/14B/14C into which a growth additive is added to promote growth; 4. extracting the organic matter grown in the growth ponds in the form of the organic product. <filename> 1::I u 7/Q/ ooQ 6->L
    公开号:AU2013202511A1
    申请号:U2013202511
    申请日:2013-04-04
    公开日:2014-10-23
    发明作者:Jolyon Emmanuel Nove
    申请人:NOVE JOLYON；
    IPC主号:A01G7-02
    专利说明:
    1 METHOD OF GROWING AN ORGANIC PRODUCT Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates broadly to a method of growing an organic product such as an algae product. The invention also relates generally to a method of generating electricity, typically from a water turbine at peak periods of power demand. Background of Invention [0002] The applicant in their Australia complete patent application no. 2010202767 describes a method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from a thermal power station by sequestering these emissions into an onshore conversion reservoir. The conversion reservoir allows for production of a conversion product such as a biofuel or another combustion fuel which is returned to the power station to assist in the generation of power. The specification teaches that the conversion product is produced from the photosynthetic conversion of the organic matter in the conversion reservoir and this conversion is promoted by the sequestered greenhouse gas emissions. [0003] The applicant in their granted Australian patent no. 749641 describes injection of greenhouse gas emissions into a discharge line which flows into the ocean. The discharge line is in the form of a penstock which discharges water from an elevated reservoir to a hydro-electric power plant. The greenhouse gas emissions such as NOX and CO 2 gases when discharged into the ocean assist in marine growth to for example grow plankton under photosynthesis. [0004] It is to be understood that any acknowledgement of prior art is not to be taken as an admission that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. Summary of Invention [0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of growing an organic product, said method comprising the steps of: <filename> 2 directing greenhouse gas emissions to a growth reservoir including organic matter; promoting growth of the organic matter in the growth reservoir by exposing it to sunlight together with the greenhouse gas emissions; discharging the organic matter into a growth pond into which a growth additive is added for growth of the organic matter over an extended period of time; extracting the organic matter from the growth pond in the form of the organic product. [0006] Preferably the organic product is extracted from the growth pond at a predetermined minimum size. More preferably the minimum size is sufficient for the organic product to be harvested from the growth pond. Even more preferably the organic product is harvested after the organic matter is grown in the growth pond for the extended period of time which determines its size. [0007] Preferably the organic matter is directed into one of a plurality of growth ponds designed to produce different of the organic products. More preferably the growth additive determines the different organic products produced in each of the growth ponds. Even more preferably the growth additive includes supplementary organic product which seeds the growth of the organic product. [0008] Preferably the step of extracting the organic product from the growth pond involves harvesting of the organic product. More preferably the organic product is mechanically harvested from the growth pond. [0009] Preferably the step of promoting growth of the organic matter in the growth reservoir involves sequestering the greenhouse gas emissions into the growth reservoir. More preferably the greenhouse gas emissions are sequestered from a thermal power station and exposure to the sunlight promotes growth of the organic matter by photosynthesis. [0010] Generally the growth additive includes an algae product such as a wild algae bloom. [0011] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of generating electricity comprising the steps of: <filename> 3 harnessing renewable energy to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir at an open-cut mine or pit; generating electricity from a water turbine driven by water released from the upper reservoir at peak periods of power demand. [0012] Preferably the step of harnessing renewable energy involves powering a pump to pump the water to the upper reservoir. More preferably the renewable energy is derived from a wind turbine. Even more preferably the renewable energy is harnessed at off-peak periods of power demand. [0013] Preferably the method also comprises the step of dewatering the mine or pit to supply water to the lower reservoir. Alternatively or additionally water is supplied to the lower reservoir to reduce flooding of the mine or pit. [0014] Preferably the step of generating electricity involves releasing water from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir via the water turbine. Brief Description of Drawings [0015] In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of a method of growing an organic product and a method of generating electricity will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0016] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a method of growing an organic product according to one aspect of the invention; [0017] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a method of generating electricity according another aspect of the invention. Detailed Description [0018] As schematically shown in figure 1 there is a method of growing an organic product such as an algae product. The method of this aspect of the invention generally comprises the steps of: 1. directing greenhouse gas emissions at 10 to a growth reservoir at 12 including organic matter; <filename> 4 2. promoting growth of the organic matter in the growth reservoir at 12 by exposing it to sunlight together with the greenhouse gas emissions; 3. discharging the organic matter into one of a plurality of growth ponds at 14A/14B/14C into which a growth additive is added to promote growth; 4. extracting the organic matter grown in the growth ponds in the form of the organic product. [0019] The organic product is extracted from each of the growth ponds such as 14A at a predetermined minimum size. In this embodiment the predetermined minimum size for the organic product is of a sufficient size for it to be harvested from the growth pond such as 14A. This means allowing the organic matter and growth additive to grow within each of the growth ponds 14A to 14C for an extended period of time which is sufficient to achieve the minimum size. [0020] The growth of organic matter in each of the growth ponds 14A to 14C is promoted by the addition of growth additive which in this embodiment includes seed product already of or approaching the predetermined minimum size. The growth additive may for example include wild algae bloom which promotes or expedites growth of the organic product in the growth ponds such as 14A. The growth additive may feed off the organic matter to promote growth to the required size for harvesting. It will be understood that the wild algae bloom can be supplemented with or substituted by other growth additives depending on the nature of the organic product to be grown. For example the growth ponds at 14A to 14C may be designed to grow biofuels, pharmaceuticals and food 16A to 16C respectively. [0021] The organic matter in the growth reservoir at 12 is in this embodiment sequestered with the greenhouse gas emissions and exposed to sunlight. The organic matter is grown in a controlled manner under the photosynthetic effect. The reservoir may be covered with a transparent membrane which facilitates this controlled growth in predominantly saline water. The greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide are sequestered from in this example a thermal power station at 18. It will be understood that CO 2 may be sourced from other emitters of greenhouse gases. <filename> 5 [0022] The growth reservoir and ponds may be natural or man-made. For example, the growth ponds may be disused or abandoned open cut coal mines or pits. The organic product grown in the abandoned and flooded mine or pit may be used as a biofuel in powering a thermal power station which is typically located close to the mines. [0023] The organic product is in this embodiment mechanically harvested from the growth ponds such as 14A. The organic product such as the wild algae bloom may for example be harvested from the growth ponds such as 14A using harvesting machinery such as a mechanical rake or harvesting device. The organic matter and/or growth additive is allowed to grow in both the growth reservoir at 12 and the growth ponds at 14A to 14C to a sufficient size which lends itself to harvesting. [0024] In this embodiment the organic matter and/or growth additive is treated under sunlight: 1. at the growth reservoir at 12 with continuous or intermittent exposure to greenhouse gas emissions at 10 for from between two (2) weeks to twenty four (24) weeks; 2. at each of the growth ponds such as 14A to which growth additive is added, for between one (1) year to five (5) years. [0025] The growth additive and/or organic matter having grown to the required size of the organic product to be harvested are extracted from each of the growth ponds such as 14A. In this example the organic product is typically harvested after a total growth period of around one (1) year to five (5) years. It will be understood that the growth periods may vary from that described depending on the organic product to be grown, the growth additive used, the environmental conditions such as the pH of the growth reservoir and ponds, the desired size of the organic product, the ambient temperature, the level of exposure to sunlight, and other relevant factors. The organic product grown in the growth ponds includes food products, pharmaceutical products of other medication, waste products, biofuel such as biodiesel, and derivatives thereof. The biofuel may be used as an alternative or supplementary fuel in the thermal power station. <filename> 6 [0026] As schematically shown in figure 2 there is a method of generating electricity. The method of this other aspect of the invention generally comprises the steps of: 1. harnessing renewable energy to pump water at 22 from a lower reservoir at 24 to an upper reservoir at 26 of an open-cut mine or pit at 28; 2. generating electricity from a water turbine at 30 driven by water released from the upper reservoir at 26 at peak periods of power demand. [0027] In this embodiment the renewable energy is derived from a wind turbine (not shown) which powers a pump at 22. The pump at 22 is designed to pump water from the lower reservoir at 24 to the upper reservoir at 26. In this example the renewable wind-derived energy is harnessed at off-peak periods of power demand to pump water to the upper reservoir 26, typically between 10pm and 6am. [0028] The lower reservoir at 24 is generally provided with water from dewatering of the mine or pit 28 and/or flooding of the mine or pit 28. The lower reservoir at 24 is designed or excavated with sufficient capacity to contain these sources of water. In either case it is understood that the water is likely to be contaminated or relatively high in solids but nonetheless capable of pumping to the upper reservoir at 26. [0029] The generation of electricity via the water turbine at 30 involves releasing water from the upper reservoir at 26 to the lower reservoir at 24. The upper reservoir at 26 is designed or excavated to sufficient capacity to allow pump storage for the generation of electricity via the water turbine at 30 at peak periods of power demand. The system and method of this embodiment of the invention may thus generate electricity via the water turbine at 30 at peak periods of power demand, typically from between 6am and to 10pm. [0030] Now that several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the methods described have at least the following advantages: 1. organic product can be effectively grown in reservoirs and ponds to a sufficient size for harvesting; 2. the growth of organic product in growth ponds is effectively promoted with the addition of growth additive including wild algae bloom; <filename> 7 3. the organic product or in this case wild algae bloom lends itself to mechanical harvesting from which food products can be derived; 4. the pump storage of water sources from an open-cut mine or pit provides an effective means of generating electricity at peak periods of demand; 5. renewable energy can be effectively harnessed to pump water from a lower to an upper reservoir of an open-cut mine for subsequent power generation via a water turbine. [0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. For example, the pump may be located at or adjacent either the lower or upper reservoirs depending on the configuration of the open-cut mine or pit and the pumping demands dictated largely by the elevation of the upper reservoir relatively to the lower reservoir. The pumping of water to the upper reservoir may be effected using other forms of renewable energy including tidal or current turbines, or solar. The renewable energy need not be harnessed at off-peak periods of power demand and in the case of solar it may be harnessed during day time hours. [0032] All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description. <filename>
    权利要求:
    Claims (18)
    [1] 1. A method of growing an organic product, said method comprising the steps of: directing greenhouse gas emissions to a growth reservoir including organic matter; promoting growth of the organic matter in the growth reservoir by exposing it to sunlight together with the greenhouse gas emissions; discharging the organic matter into a growth pond into which a growth additive is added for growth of the organic matter over an extended period of time; extracting the organic matter from the growth pond in the form of the organic product.
    [2] 2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the organic product is extracted from the growth pond at a predetermined minimum size.
    [3] 3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the minimum size is sufficient for the organic product to be harvested from the growth pond.
    [4] 4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein the organic product is harvested after the organic matter is grown in the growth pond for the extended period of time which determines its size.
    [5] 5. A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the growth additive is directed into one of a plurality of growth ponds each designed to produce different of the organic products.
    [6] 6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the growth additive determines the different organic products produced in each of the growth ponds.
    [7] 7. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the growth additive includes supplementary organic product which seeds the growth of the organic product.
    [8] 8. A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of extracting the organic product from the growth pond involves harvesting of the organic product. <filenanme> 9
    [9] 9. A method as defined in claim 8 wherein the organic product is mechanically harvested from the growth pond.
    [10] 10. A method as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the step of promoting growth of the organic matter in the growth reservoir involves sequestering the greenhouse gas emissions into the growth reservoir.
    [11] 11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein the greenhouse gas emissions are sequestered from a thermal power station.
    [12] 12. A method of generating electricity comprising the steps of: harnessing renewable energy to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir at an open-cut mine or pit; generating electricity from a water turbine driven by water released from the upper reservoir at peak periods of power demand.
    [13] 13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the step of harnessing renewable energy involves powering a pump to pump the water to the upper reservoir.
    [14] 14. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the renewable energy is derived from a wind turbine.
    [15] 15. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein the renewable energy is harnessed at off-peak periods of power demand.
    [16] 16. A method as defined in claim 12 also comprising the step of dewatering the mine or pit to supply water to the lower reservoir.
    [17] 17. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein water is supplied to the lower reservoir to reduce flooding of the mine or pit.
    [18] 18. A method as defined in any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the step of generating electricity involves releasing water from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir via the water turbine. <filenanme>
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    AU2013202511B2|2014-12-11|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US20090148927A1|2007-12-05|2009-06-11|Sequest, Llc|Mass Production Of Aquatic Plants|
    US8623634B2|2009-06-23|2014-01-07|Kior, Inc.|Growing aquatic biomass, and producing biomass feedstock and biocrude therefrom|
    US8685707B2|2010-06-14|2014-04-01|Heinz Ploechinger|Construction material made of algae, method for cultivating algae, and algae cultivation plant|
    法律状态:
    2015-04-09| FGA| Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    AU2013202511A|AU2013202511B2|2013-04-04|2013-04-04|Method of growing an organic product|AU2013202511A| AU2013202511B2|2013-04-04|2013-04-04|Method of growing an organic product|
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