The Ultimate Algae Growth Environment

The heart of the OriginOil system is the Helix BioReactor™, an advanced algae growth system that can grow multiple layers of algae biomass around-the-clock with daily harvests.

In a natural pond, the sun only illuminates one layer of algae growth, down to about half an inch below the surface. In contrast, the Helix BioReactor™ features a rotating vertical shaft with very low energy lights arranged in a helix or spiral pattern, which results in a theoretically unlimited number of growth layers. Additionally, each lighting element is engineered to produce specific light waves and frequencies for optimal algae growth.

The helix structure also serves as the bioreactor’s nutrient delivery system, through which the Quantum Fractured nutrients, including CO2, is evenly delivered to the entire algae culture, monitored and tuned for optimum growth.

This algae growth environment will allow the algae culture to replicate exponentially — doubling the entire colony in as little as a few hours — making for very efficient, low-cost, low-footprint industrial algae production.

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Helix BioReactor V1	Algae Culture	CO2 Observation Tube
CO2 Regulator	Helix BioReactor Detail

Biofeedback Controls To Accelerate Growth

The best judge of what algae needs is algae itself. That’s why OriginOil developed a Dynamic Control System designed to respond continuously to the algae’s behavior. This invention improves energy efficiency and growth rates by ensuring the right types and amounts of light are used at all times as the algae grows to maturity.

At the heart of the system is a programmable controller that receives information from multiple sensor types reading the algae culture. The controller, which can be programmed for specific algae strains, responds by sending out commands to change lighting parameters such as intensity, pulsing frequency, and duty cycle.

The new lighting automation is made possible by new generation of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs), which OriginOil researchers have learned greatly improve productivity in dense cultures, and which also deliver the accurate frequency tuning and instant-on capability needed for a true feedback loop.

Accordingly, in the summer of 2009, OriginOil has begun to test new LED-based lighting systems to replace the current fluorescent arrays.

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OriginOil’s high-efficiency LEDs.	OriginOil tests extensively for the best color ratio.	Waterproof LED assemblies for use in the Helix Bioreactor.
OriginOil engineers examine an early batch of LEDs.	Various LED configurations are tested in the OriginOil lab.	Lab-testing LED color ratios with a custom LED panel.

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