Patent ID: 8541225

Claim:
A system for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus comprises: an algae cultivation apparatus for growing an algal culture containing a biomass; a flush tank positioned at an elevation above the algae cultivation apparatus for receiving an effluent of the algal culture to be used to create a pulse flow into the algae cultivation apparatus; a circulation pump connected to the algae cultivation apparatus, wherein the circulation pump draws the effluent of the algal culture from the algae cultivation apparatus and transfers the effluent to the flush tank via a conduit and wherein the conduit has a first end in contact with the algae cultivation apparatus and a second end connected to the circulation pump; and an activator, wherein the activator includes a timer set to a predetermined time interval to govern the release of the effluent from the flush tank into the conduit to create a pulse flow of effluent through the algae cultivation apparatus.