OriginOil files patent for low-energy, high-efficiency algae production

OriginOil Inc. announced the filing of its Patent Cooperation Treaty titled “Apparatus and methods for photosynthetic growth of microorganisms in a photobioreactor.” This filing consolidates previous OriginOil inventions and adds new developments since the original filings. The invention addresses challenging problems in the culturing of microalgae, including high-energy utilization, fouling of light emitting surfaces and diurnal growth cycles. The proposed system provides efficient light utilization with comparatively low energy costs by providing light at closely spaced intervals within a photobioreactor so that light is provided throughout the photobioreactor rather than just at the surface and at the interfaces between culture medium and photobioreactor wall.