METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR PREPARING BIOMASS OF PHOTOAUTOTROPHIC MICROORGANISMS Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: microbiological and food industries. SUBSTANCE: microorganisms are grown in closed flow circuit at illumination of photoreactors in initial stage of process with intensity 6.0-8.0 klux. Carbon dioxide is introduced into circuit in the mixture with air or inert gas, its concentration in the mixture being 2 to 20 vol %. During the growth, constant microorganism concentration in culture fluid is maintained by controlling its amount withdrawn from circuit. Method is implemented on installation constructed in the form of flow circuit containing tubular light- transparent photoreactors, heat exchanger, desorber, circulation pump, facility for supplying gas into culture fluid, and nutrient medium supply line. Gas-supply facility contains chamber for mixing carbon dioxide with air or inert gas and ejector to introduce mixture into culture fluid with diffuser connected to supply line of photoreactors and casing provided with annular collector connected with mixing chamber and, through channels, with ejector diffuser. Installation is provided with system controlling amount of withdrawn culture fluid and nutrient medium supplied. EFFECT: increased yield of biomass and enabled variation of its quality characteristics in dependence of consumer's requirements. 3 cl, 2 dwg