Abstract:
A system and method of growing and harvesting algae provided whereby the system encompasses incubation tanks, internal lighting, chilled air diffusers, and an inline incubation tank for continuous batch processing. A centrifuge separates algae from growth media, and the media is processed through a series of reclamation steps so that cleaned water is reused for fresh media.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/423,735 filed on Mar. 9, 2012 entitled “A Comprehensive System and Method for Producing Algae,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of algae harvesting and, more particularly, to an indoor system to efficiently grow and harvest algae and related methods. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many aspects of our current consumer- and producer-driven society have created the perception of a need for renewable and sustainable resources. Along these lines, it is recognized that algae can be grown and utilized as a human or animal food source. Algae are additionally used in the farming industry as a renewable source of fertilizer. Algae can also be used as an alternative to petroleum products, in the polymer and plastics industry, cosmetics industry, paint and die industry, as well as in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. There are known processes for growing and harvesting algae. However, many of these processes take a significant amount of time that do not provide for economic feasibility. It is therefore desired that a process be developed that optimizes growth and harvest time such that economic feasibility can be achieved. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is directed to a system for producing algae. In one embodiment, the system comprises an algae production tank for incubating algae in growth media and a light located inside the production tank capable of being submerged in the growth media. A rotating blade proximate the bottom of the production tank is placed for the purpose of mixing the growth media. 
         [0005]    The system for producing algae, in another embodiment, comprises a substantially transparent cylinder that houses the light source to keep the light source dry and also to provide a route for cooled air to enter the cylinder and cool the lighting and media. The light is an LED, tubular skylight, fiber optic lighting, or any other lighting source known in the art. 
         [0006]    The algae grown in the system is preferably at least one of  Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella zofingiensis,  and  Scenedesmus  species. 
         [0007]    In an alternate embodiment, the system further comprises an air chiller that passes cooled air through the production tank for the purpose of cooling and aerating the growth media. A diffuser attached to the blade is connected to the chiller so that cooled air introduced into the diffuser is released from the diffuser and into the production tank to form a rotating curtain of air upon blade rotation. 
         [0008]    An incubation tank is attached proximate the top of the production tank so that the contents of the incubation tank can pass through an opening and into the production tank. 
         [0009]    A sheath substantially surrounds the production tank, thereby defining a space between the sheath and the production tank wherein cooled air exhausted from the production tank is allowed to pass into the space between the production tank and the sheath for externally cooling the production tank. 
         [0010]    A centrifuge is connected to the production tank, and the algae in the growth media is introduced into the centrifuge to substantially separate the algae from the growth media supernatant. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the system also comprises a water reclamation system comprising a particulate filter to filter particulate matter from growth media supernatant, a UV light source to kill living organisms, a reverse osmosis membrane, and gaseous ozone, wherein used growth media is cleaned and resulting cleaned water is utilized as a component of new growth media. 
         [0012]    The invention also contemplates a method for producing algae comprising the steps of: incubating a first algae culture in a growth media within an incubation tank; transferring the first algae culture to a production tank having a greater capacity than the incubation tank; adding media to the production tank to increase the volume of media therein; increasing a cell density of the first culture in the production tank; incubating a second algae culture in a growth media within the incubation tank; transferring the second algae culture to the production tank; diffusing cooled air into the production tank; and providing a light source inside the production tank. 
         [0013]    It is also contemplated that cooled air be exhausted from the production tank and directed proximate the incubation tank or proximate an exterior surface of the production tank. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, additional steps include transferring the media from the production tank to a centrifuge; and centrifuging the media to separate algae growing in the media from the media. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart showing the process to create a starter culture of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart showing the process to create a working culture of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates perspective view of an embodiment of an incubation vessel; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side cutaway view of the incubation vessel of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the production process of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a production tank; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side cutaway view of the production tank of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing the centrifugation and water reclamation process of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of a bead; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of an alternate embodiment of a bead; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side cutaway view of a portion of the bead in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    In the Summary of the Invention above and in the Detailed Description of the Invention and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
         [0028]    The term “comprises” is used herein to mean that other ingredients, elements,steps, etc. are optionally present. When reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
         [0029]    In this section, the present invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0030]    The present invention relates to a combination batch and continuous system and related method for improved algae cultivation and subsequent processing. 
       Creating Starter Culture from Seed Culture 
       [0031]    Initially referring to  FIG. 1 , the method to grow algae begins with the creation  10  of a starter culture  12 . The starter culture  12  is derived from algae seed cultures  14 . Seed cultures  14  may be either from an outside source, such a frozen specimen ordered from an algae company, or prepared specifically for the process of the present invention. In one embodiment, the seed culture  14  is UTEX 2505  Haematococcus pluvialis.    
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the process begins with identification of a particular culture, of which an accurate cell count is calculated in step  16  and recorded in step  18 . An aliquot (i.e. a portion) of seed culture  14  is charged in step to an incubation vessel, such as an Erlenmeyer flask, containing growth media  22  and an appropriate volume of treated water  24 . Water is treated with at least one of filtration, reverse osmosis, distillation, deionization, and ultraviolet light. As a non-limiting example of an embodiment of the present invention, one hundred milliliters of a ten percent culture are charged to a one liter flask, and 600 ml of purified water and the appropriate nutrients are added. A commercially available nutrient product containing nitrate, phosphate, and trace minerals is used along with a B-vitamin complex mix. A culture pH is maintained at about 7.2 to about 7.5. 
         [0033]    The culture is incubated in step  26  and allowed to multiply to a desired cell density. The desired cell density is between about 1M cell/ml and about 30M cells/ml, depending on the particular culture. For example,  Haematococcus pluvialis  is incubated to reach a density of about 1M cells/ml to about 6M cells/ml.  Chlorella zofingiensis  is incubated to reach a density of about 6M cells/ml to about 21M cells/ml. Mixed  Scenedesmus  species is incubated to reach a density of about 9M cells/ml to about 30M cells/ml. Mixed cultures are incubated to reach a density of about 6M cells/ml to about 15M cells/ml. 
         [0034]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , once the cell count determined in step  28  and the cell density is within the desired range of 1-30M cells/ml (depending on algae strain), the culture, which is now considered the “starter culture”  12 , is then transferred in step  32  to an incubation tank  34  ( FIG. 2 ). The incubation tank  34  volume ranges from about 100 L to 800 L. In an example of one embodiment, the incubation tank  34  is about a 230 liter tank. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, when transferring starter culture  12  to the incubation tank  34 , the culture is divided in step  31  so that about 90% of the starter culture  12  is transferred in step  32  to the incubation tank  34 , and the remainder of the culture is saved  35  and used as seed culture  14 . 
       Creating Working Culture from Starter Culture 
       [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , water is added in step  36  to the incubation tank  34 . Nutrients  38  that support algae proliferation are also added in step  40  to the incubation tank  34 . The culture in the incubation tank  34  is then exposed to lighting in step  42 . The incubation tank  34  is constructed and arranged to expose the culture to a light source. This occurs through the use of at least one of incandescent lighting, fluorescent lighting, tubular skylight, fiber optic cables that channel sunlight, and LED lighting. 
         [0037]    Compressed air subject to filtration in step  43 , and the air is introduced into the tank  34 . In one embodiment, air is chilled to combat relatively warm ambient temperatures. In particular, compressed air introduced to the tank should be between about 72° F. and 87° F., and preferably between 75° F. and 81° F. In an environment where the ambient temperature is below 70° F., air of ambient temperature is used, since heat from lighting systems is sufficient to keep the culture within desired temperature ranges. In one embodiment, the compressed air is filtered in step  43  through sub-micron filtration system. 
         [0038]    The culture is incubated in step  46  and allowed to multiply to a desired cell density. The appropriate cell density is between about 1M cell/ml and about 30M cells/ml, depending on the particular culture. For example,  Haematococcus pluvialis,  is incubated to reach a density of about 1M cells/ml to about 6M cells/ml,  Chlorella zofingiensis,  is incubated to reach a density of about 6M cells/ml to about 21M cells/ml, and the mixed  Scenedesmus  species is incubated to reach a density of about 9M cells/ml to about 30M cells/ml, and mixed cultures are incubated to reach a density of about 6M cells/ml to about 15M cells/ml. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, beads  45  are added to the culture to promote algae growth and to maintain the system in a clean state by reducing algae adherence to internal system surfaces. 
         [0040]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , once the cell count is determined in step  48  and the cell density is within the desired range  50 , the culture, which is now considered the “working culture”  52 , is then transferred in step  54  to a production tank  56 . The production tank  56  volume ranges from about 6,000 L to 15,000 L. In an example of one embodiment, the incubation tank is about a 11,500 liter tank. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in one embodiment, the incubation tank  34  is a series of transparent tubes  200  configured to form a “light fence”  202 . In this configuration, substantially hollow end posts  204  are connected to each other via a plurality of hollow transparent tubes  200 . Each tube  200  sealedly connects to each end post  204 . Baffles  206  within each end post are situated periodically to create individual liquid-proof chambers  208  within each post. Media introduced into the top of a first post  204   a  travels through a tube to a second end post  204   b  to fill a baffled chamber  208  in the second end post  204   b.  Additional tubes  200  are installed in the posts  204 ,  204   a,    204   b,  so that media that travels from the first post  204   a  to the second post  204   b  enters a lower tube and travels back to a second, lower, baffled chamber in the first post  204   a.  This pattern repeats itself, back and forth, until media travels through multiple tubes  200  and multiple baffled compartments  208  until the media reaches a final chamber  210 , wherein a pump recalculates the media to the top baffle of the first post  204   a  so that the media may travel through the light fence  202  again. 
         [0042]    This configuration provides a reflective surface  212 , such as a mirror or Mylar (Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) film, to be situated on one side of the fence, while at least one light source  214  is situated on the opposing side. This allows light to directly hit the tubes  200  from one side (where the light source resides), and for reflected light that strikes the reflective surface  212  and illuminates the opposing sides of the tubes  200 . 
       Production Process 
       [0043]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the working culture  52  is added in step  54  to the production tank  56 . In a preferred embodiment, approximately 3,300 L of water are added along with nutrients and light exposure  58 . At this point in the process, the culture is referred to as the production culture. It should be noted that the transfer of culture between tanks is a point of potential contamination, for open air exposure of culture leaves the culture vulnerable to exogenous pathogens and contaminating organisms. The present invention reduces or eliminates such contamination opportunities by installing the incubation tank  34  directly above the production tank  56 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates, inter alia, the incubation tank  34  directly above the production tank  56 . A solenoid-controlled junction, door, valve, or other controlling means in association with the incubation tank  34  allows the working culture in the incubation tank  34  to be emptied into the production tank  56 . The junction  300  between these two tanks is sealed from the environment, thereby essentially eliminating a primary contamination opportunity. This also allows the production flow to be a combination of continuous and batch processing. Batches of working culture  52  can be made in batch, while the culture in the production tank  56  is continually grown. 
         [0045]    Turning again to  FIG. 5 , Air is introduced to the production culture in step  60  in a manner similar to the manner described above relating to the process to create the starting culture  12 . In one embodiment, chilled compressed air is gently diffused through tubes that feed into at least one of an aeration hose, diffuser bar, or diffuser grid. 
         [0046]    With reference to both  FIGS. 5 and 7 , the present invention incorporates a combination of airlifting in bubble columns  302  combined with propeller  304  mixing in step  62 . Such mixing in step  62  allows the algae to evenly flow throughout the tank to absorb nutrients and light. If the algae are mixed too fast, it will cause sheer stress and damage the algae. If it is mixed too slow, algae will sink and not be able to receive light or nutrients. Bubble columns  302  alone provide efficacious mixing, but to mix properly necessitates the introduction of large amounts of air which causes sparger death. Using a propeller  304  or a pump alone to mix the algae causes shear stress and death due to the high rotational speed required to provide appropriate levels of mixing. 
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment, an algae mixing propeller  304  rotates between about 6 and about 15 rpm. A gear motor, rotary coupling, and chain and sprocket keep the propeller  304  rotating, but any propeller-rotation mechanism known in the art is contemplated. Additionally, an air diffusing conduit  306  runs substantially the length of a blade in order to concurrently mix the culture while bubble columns  304  originating from the blade provides an airlifting action. This reduces or eliminates both excessive shear stress and sparger death. 
         [0048]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , it should be noted that when transferring the working culture  52  to the production tank  56  in step  54 , mixing must continue to prevent the algae from sinking to the bottom of the tank  56 . 
         [0049]    The culture is incubated in step  66  and allowed to multiply to a desired cell density as previously described herein. The pH is maintained between about 7.2 and about 7.5. Once the cell count is determined in step  68  and the cell density is within the desired range  70 , additional water is added in step  74  to the production tank  56 . In a preferred embodiment, approximately 200 L additional working culture  52  and approximately 3,300 L of additional water are added in step  74  to the production tank  56  along with additional nutrients and continuing light exposure  58 . 
         [0050]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , the culture is once again incubated in step  76  and allowed to multiply to the desired cell density as previously described herein. The pH is maintained between about 7.2 and about 7.5. Once the cell count is again determined in step  78  and the cell density is within the desired range  80 , additional culture is added  72  and additional water is added  82  to the production tank  56 . In a preferred embodiment, approximately 200 L additional working culture  52  and approximately 3,300 L of additional water are added in step  82  to the production tank  56  along with additional nutrients and continuing light exposure  58 . 
         [0051]    Prior to harvest the algae culture is stressed. In particular, nutrients are withheld and additional water is added. The culture is additionally exposed to ultraviolet light in step  84 . The production tanks  56  utilize the same lighting scheme as the incubation tanks  34  until the culture is to be stressed to promote lipid and astaxanthin synthesis. The culture is exposed to both UVA and UVB light in order to stress the algae. In a preferred embodiment, the UV spectrum is about 210 nm to about 400 nm. Concurrent with non-UV light, a portion of the total light utilized comprises light in the UV spectrum, to which the culture is exposed for between about 24 hours and 72 hours, or until the culture turns the color red in step  86 . 
       Algae Isolation 
       [0052]    Once the culture is red, algae are harvested using centrifuge  88  at about 4200 rpm for about 3 hours before algae are removed. In one example, the algae are passed through an Evodos centrifuge system to de-water the algae. To save water, the supernatant  89  ( FIG. 8 ) is sanitized and used to make fresh media. 
         [0053]    The supernatant is passed through at least one of an about 1 to about 3 micron filtering system, UV light, ultra filtration, reverse osmosis membranes, and a holding tank with bubbling ozonation before the purified supernatant (water) is returned to the production tank  56 . In one embodiment, the production tank  56  also has the means to ozonate the fluid held therein. 
         [0054]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , after the algae are substantially removed from the media in the centrifuge in step  88 , the supernatant  89  is filtered through a relatively coarse mechanical filter in step  90 , such as an about 4 micron to about 10 micron bag filter. This process may be repeated as in step  92 . The filtered supernatant  89  is exposed to UV light in step  94  to promote the killing of any living matter. The supernatant  89  is then passed through a reverse osmosis filtration system in step  96 , resulting in a concentrated solute solution  98  and reverse osmosis (RO) water  100 . 
         [0055]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 8 , ozone is introduced into the RO water in step  102 . Ozone is a pungent, naturally-occurring gas possessing strong oxidizing properties, and has a long history of safe use in disinfecting water sources. Ozone rapidly attacks bacterial cell walls and is generally thought to be a more effective anti-pathogenic agent than chlorine. Ozone is reported to have 1.5 times the oxidizing potential of chlorine, yet contact times for this antimicrobial action are typically 4-5 times less than that of chlorine, all without the unwanted byproducts associated with chlorine. 
         [0056]    Ozone cannot be stored and transported like most other industrial gases, so must therefore be locally produced. Ozone can be produced in a number of ways known in the art. The most common methods are by the use of UV light and coronal discharge. 
         [0057]    A UV lamp emitting light at approximately 185 nm in the presences of air (which is approximately 21% oxygen) will cause some diatomic oxygen (O 2 ) molecules to split, resulting in single oxygen atoms (O − ) that bind to other diatomic oxygen molecules to form ozone (O 3 ). The coronal discharge method of ozone is employed for many industrial and personal uses. While multiple variations of the “hot spark” coronal discharge method of ozone production exist, these units usually work by means of a coronal discharge tube. Coronal discharge tubes are typically cost-effective and do not require an oxygen source other than the ambient air to produce ozone. In one embodiment of the invention, ozone is generated with a corona discharge device. In such a device, air passes through an electrical field wherein ozone is generated. 
         [0058]    After ozone is introduced into the water in step  102 , the water is exposed a second time to UV light in step  104  for antimicrobial purposes and also to expedite the degradation of ozone so that algae may be reintroduced to this purified water  106  for growing subsequent cultures. The concentrated solute solution  98  may be partially re-introduced in step  108  into this culture to balance ion concentrations. 
         [0059]    Water sent into the production tank  56  is fed through a sprinkler system in order to rinse and sanitize all parts of the tank. The sprinkler sprays water in a substantially circular pattern within the production tank  56  to rinse all inside surface area of the production tank  56 . 
       Beads 
       [0060]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a cell growth culture is initiated on a relatively small scale  23  in which beads  45  are placed within the vessels growing culture. It has been surprising to find that the presence of the beads  45  provide between about a five to thirty percent accelerated growth of algae within a three day time period of beads  45  and nutrient being added to the flask. Beads  45  placed in the growing culture also ricochet off of internal surfaces of the system and reduce the adherence of algae to these surfaces. 
         [0061]    In one embodiment, the beads  45  are made from a substantially inert material. Polymer or plastic beads  45  are formed such as through injection molding or any other process known in the art. The beads  45  are either hollow or solid. The beads  45  are constructed to have a density that prevents the beads  45  from either sinking to the bottom of a culture vessel or from floating to the top of a culture vessel. The beads  45  may be porous to promote algae growth within the beads. In this case, the beads  45  can be used to seed larger cultures with cells that occupy the beads  45 . In another embodiment, a mix of beads with differing densities are used to provide a bead mixture wherein the distribution of beads floating in solution ranges from beads floating near the top of solution to beads sinking to near the bottom of solution, and beads in between these extremes. 
         [0062]    In another embodiment, the beads  45  are made from materials having properties advantageous to the media, such as sodium alginate. For example, the beads  45  may comprise reagents to buffer the pH of the solution and/or provide nutrients for the algae. In a related embodiment, algae are embedded in beads and aid in seeding the culture when exposed to media. Beads may be inert with an active coating or a pellet containing any desired nutrient or chemical compound known in the art. Beads  45  that are made from active compounds are, in another embodiment, capable of dissolving over time in solution. 
         [0063]    Beads  45  are opaque, transparent, or translucent, and are reflective in some embodiments. The size of beads  45  ranges from about 3 mm in diameter to about 9 mm in diameter, with a preferred size being about 6 mm in diameter. The shape of the beads is substantially spheroid. In another embodiment, the beads are substantially polyhedral. The surface is smooth, rough, or ribbed. 
         [0064]    Referring initially to  FIG. 9 , in a preferred embodiment, the beads  400  are formed into a truncated icosahedron comprising a plurality of pentagonal  402  and hexagonal  404  panels. In particular, each pentagonal panel  402  is bordered by five hexagonal  404  panels. In one embodiment a spherical polyhedron is formed by configuring each panel to form a convex surface. 
         [0065]      FIG. 10  illustrates yet another embodiment of a bead  400   b  wherein at least one panel of the bead  400   b  is configured to have a concave surface  404   b  so that currents and ricochet forces do not result in a regular or repeating angle of deflection off of surfaces. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 9 and 11  illustrate grooved junctions  406  where the panels  402 ,  404 ,  404   a  meet adjacent panels  402 ,  404 ,  404   a.  In another embodiment, the junctions are raised instead of grooved. 
       Air and Media Cooling 
       [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the air introduced  60  to the production culture is chilled prior to entry. This cools the culture from the core as opposed to trying to keep the environment chilled, which is more controllable, and less costly. Air is filtered prior to entry into the culture to prevent contamination. Cooling is accomplished by at least one of heat plate exchangers, peltier coolers, radiators, heat sinks, absorption liquid chillers, centrifugal liquid cooled chillers, compressor chillers, helical rotary HVAC liquid chillers, scroll air-cooled chiller systems, cooling towers, and any other active or passive air chilling means known in the art. 
         [0068]    The chilled air introduced into the production tank  56  is exhausted from the tank  56 , yet still possesses cooling properties, so the exhausted air is directed proximate the incubation tank  34  to reduce the temperature of the working culture  52 . In one embodiment, the exhausted air is guided through the working culture  52  to reduce the core temperature of that solution. In either case, this air, which is still relatively chilled, is guided through a duct system to finally exhaust into a sheath that covers the production tank  56 . This sheath is preferably made from a reflective material so that it reflects lights installed externally to the production tank  56  back to the tank  56 , but also creates a substantially cylindrical duct that envelopes the production tank and cools the lights and exterior surface of the tank as a penultimate use of the chilled air before it is exhausted to generally cool the production environment. This obviates the need to mist the tanks with water, thereby saving money and preventing the use of a relatively messy practice that increases the potential for contamination. 
       Lighting 
       [0069]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  7 , to lower electricity needs and provide the full natural spectrum of visible light to a culture, fiber optic cabling that channels natural sunlight to the incubation tank  34  is utilized in conjunction with LED lighting to promote algae growth. It has been discovered that a combination of ambient light provided through fiber optic cables and skylights as well as light provided by light emitting diodes (LEDs) significantly accelerates the growth rate of algae when compared to ambient light alone. 
         [0070]    In a preferred embodiment, LumiGrow ES330 LED Grow Lights and Parans SP3 fiber optic natural lighting are used to provide light to the maintenance of seed cultures  14  and starter cultures  10 . Other branded or generic LED grow lights are also contemplated. During the day, the Parans lighting provides natural daylight (about 380 nm to about 750 nm) and at night the Lumigrow lighting provides artificial light (about 420 nm to about 720 nm). The light/dark cycle for a given 24 hour period is about 8 hours light, about 4 hours dark, about 8 hours light, about 4 hours dark. For example, approximately 8 hours of sunlight is followed by 4 hours of resting dark, which is followed by 8 hours of LED light, finishing with 4 hours of resting dark. The LED lighting, however, may also be provided in conjunction with sunlight. The wavelength of the Parans light is about 400 nm to about 730 nm. 
         [0071]    The various culture vessels used throughout the algae growing process may comprise (or be situated near) a LumiBar LED Strip Light, Parans SP3 fiber optic natural light and Caberra G2 ActiveLED-Growbar. The LumiBar and Parans both emit similar spectra (about 400 nm to about 730 nm). The Caberra G2 emits about 390 nm to about 780 nm spectrum of light. Similar LED light apparatuses and configurations are also contemplated. 
         [0072]    With continuing reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the production tank  56  comprises transparent cylinders  308  that project into the interior portion of the tank  56 . The cylinders  308  contain LED lights and provide light deep within the culture solution in addition to external sources of light  310 , as each cylinder  308  is submersed into the media. To keep temperatures regulated, the cylinders  308  receive cooled air proximate their bottom regions, and this air is exhausted out of the cylinders proximate their top regions. 
         [0073]    In a similar manner to the submerged lighting cylinders, fiber optic conduits  310  that deliver sunlight, such as the Parans systems described herein, are also submerged in the media to provide sunlight deep within the production tanks  56 . A tubular skylight  312  also directs light into the production tank  56 . 
         [0074]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.