Saving The Planet With Algal Oil
Algal Oil
What is Algal Oil? It is Green Oil made using Blue-Green Algae (carefully selected and/or cultured for good yields), and with the use of Greenhouse Gases from power stations or smelters and other producers of large quantities of Greenhouse Gases), sunlight, water (can be sewerage, polluted water, salty water or otherwise non-potable), and waste land, and you can produce quite large amounts of oil, that can be refined to diesel or petrol or ethanol and is a Greenhouse friendly fuel to use in existing car, truck and bus fleets.
Please note: - This material is taken from a now archive website around 2009-2011. Then Oil prices were exploding, and technology was developed to produce Algal Oil (or Green Oil). Then Oil prices plunged, and interest was lost in the technology. However, it could NOW be used to economically reduce pollution in power production, especially reducing greenhouses gases. This would enable extension of current power production, economically, whilst new technology is being developed, tested and installed.
It could also allow older technology in power production to remain economical, whilst also reducing pollution and greenhouse gases. For many people the cost of cooking, heating and cooling, is a huge burden, especially for larger families
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Algal Oil - The Answer To Global Warming
We are told by the various bodies advising on Global Warming that time is running out and that enemy of the Planet is our vast armada of cars, trucks, aircraft and out huge numbers of coal burning power stations, smelters and similar. But what if we could turn Global Warming around by turning the enemy into a friend.What if we can turn around Global Warming by actually using the Greenhouses Gases that pour into the atmosphere into the fuels that we need, and prevent the huge rise in oil prices that will follow the inevitable end of the economic winter we are currently facing?
There are many ways of making fuel. We can turn coal into oil (messy and expensive), we can use more gas (but one day we will run out), we can turn our corn and sugar and rice into ethanol, and the poor can grow hungry. No there are more sensible ways, and this site will over the next few months show a huge range of sensible solutions to our fuel needs. Oil can be made using blue-green algae (algal oil) and we can use many crops that are not for food, which can be grown on marginal land and with a minimum of water.
Start with the first article, CSIRO in Australia has found a bacteria that can turn forest thinnings, green garden waste, waste timber, waste cardboard and paper into bio-oil. Three Cheers for Science. Then progress as we go to Algal Oil Bio-reactors turning greenhouse gases from dirty coal stations into green oil. If the USA just made their diesel that way, they would cut the greenhouse gas emissions from their power plants by 56%.
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Algae as biofuel `in five years'
Edition: 1 - State
Section: Features, pg. 045
Section: Features, pg. 045
Energy
A COMMERCIAL alternative to diesel using biofuel made from algae will be developed within five years, the* South Australian Research and Development Institute forecasts.
Research is expected to begin at SARDI's new Aquatic Sciences plant atWest Beach next year, facility manager Eric Capelle said.
Researchers from around Australia will apply to use the facility and a committee will select those who may use it, although SARDI is the most likely main user.
The* research will be scaled up to a much larger demonstration plant in 2009-10.
Dr Capelle said the need for a clean alternative to mineral and fossil fuels was urgent, with Australians consuming more than 14 billion litres of diesel each year.
``The use of micro-algae has been identified because it has high oil-producing capabilities and an ability to thrive in saline or nutrient-loaded water resources, sunny environments and on marginal lands,'' Dr Capelle said.
The $5 million project will be used for research into micro-algae as a viable alternative feedstock for biofuels.
Dr Capelle said the high-tech infrastructure would allow existing lab-scale results to be validated at a pilot and demonstration scale.
``This is a major step forward in fully commercialising the much anticipated technology,'' Dr Capelle said.
``The potential of micro-algae as a renewable biofuel source is an exciting alternative to existing sources.
``It produces at least 30-times more oil per hectare than crop-based fuels, it is a non-food fuel resource and it consumes the greenhouse gas CO2 to grow and multiply.''
Dr Capelle said the use of algae to produce fuels was one long-term solution to the world's declining oil reserves.
``To make it commercially viable we need to improve the efficiency of algae production and oil extraction from the algae,'' he said.
``The use of algae has advantages including the fact that CO2 from power plants and breweries can be used to lower their carbon footprint.''
Dr Capelle said the main challenge was to develop a species of algae that produced enough oil.
``South Australia is a good place to grow micro-algae because there is plenty of sunlight and a lot of opportunities where saline water can be used and a plant could be built close to power plants,” he said.
The SARDI Biofuels group project is supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy with state and federal funding.
Copyright 2008 The Advertiser*
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Source: Advertiser, The (Adelaide), MAR 25, 2008
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Micro-algae could provide alternative fuel
South Australia's Research and Development Institute (SARDI) hopes to turn micro-algae into an alternative fuel as part of a million-dollar research program.
SARDI says the organisms are an ideal source of biodiesel because they contain lots of oil and can grow year-round.
The Federal Government is partly funding the three-year program, which costs nearly $1 million.
SARDI spokesman Kevin Williams says the first challenge is to find the best type of algae.
"We'll be starting to select micro-algae from the wild, bring them back to the lab, evaluate growth rates and oil production and at the end of 3 years we hope to have some idea of growth and take that up to pilot scale production," he said.
Dr Williams says algae could be used to power cars in the future.
"Micro-algae have been shown in the past to produce up to 30 times more oil per unit land area, so we're hoping to achieve growth rates in Australia and create economic feedstock for biodiesel production," he said.
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Proposed Algae Equipment Manufacturers and Supply Channel Partner Presentations – April 2009
Algae is a source of biomass that can produce many types of biofuels, including biodiesel, ethanol, biocrude, jet fuel, and renewable diesel. Algae is a renewable fuel feedstock, does not affect the food channel and consumes C02. The byproduct biomass is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bio-plastics, and organic fertilizer. The National Algae Association, the first national trade association for the algae biofuels industry, brings algae companies and algae researchers from the US and around the world to exchange information to overcome technological hurdles.
The Department of Energy projects in its Energy Information Administration/Short-Term Energy Outlook - January 2009 that US petroleum consumption will be 19.12 million barrels per day in 2009, increasing to 19.28 million barrels per day in 2010. This is down from the average of 19.51 million barrels per day in 2008. We have proven that when the price skyrocketed, we were able to live with less petroleum, but with prices more reasonable, our consumption will increase. What steps have we taken to prevent our being held captive to those high prices aga in?
Bill Gates recently showed his support for algae by investing $100 million in Sapphire Energy, one of our members. That company provided the algae for the recent test flight conducted by Continental Airlines. The preliminary results of that flight were better than expected, and there is no reason not to proceed with algae production. Interestingly, Sapphire is also working on algae as an alternative for automobile fuel.
Many other companies are starting up algae oil production plants across the United States, creating jobs and energy security for our country. In furthering its mission of fast-tracking commercialization of algae, our next quarterly forum will focus on equipment – in very basic terms, what is needed and what is already available.
Please let us know if you would be interested in presenting your equipment capabilities at our next quarterly conference, April 30-May 1, 2009, to assist the algae oil production and biomass industry.
Thank you,
National Algae Association, The Woodlands, Texas
Proposed Algae Equipment Manufacturers and Supply Channel Partner Presentations – April 2009
Algae is a source of biomass that can produce many types of biofuels, including biodiesel, ethanol, biocrude, jet fuel, and renewable diesel. Algae is a renewable fuel feedstock, does not affect the food channel and consumes C02. The byproduct biomass is used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bio-plastics, and organic fertilizer. The National Algae Association, the first national trade association for the algae biofuels industry, brings algae companies and algae researchers from the US and around the world to exchange information to overcome technological hurdles.
The Department of Energy projects in its Energy Information Administration/Short-Term Energy Outlook - January 2009 that US petroleum consumption will be 19.12 million barrels per day in 2009, increasing to 19.28 million barrels per day in 2010. This is down from the average of 19.51 million barrels per day in 2008. We have proven that when the price skyrocketed, we were able to live with less petroleum, but with prices more reasonable, our consumption will increase. What steps have we taken to prevent our being held captive to those high prices aga in?
Bill Gates recently showed his support for algae by investing $100 million in Sapphire Energy, one of our members. That company provided the algae for the recent test flight conducted by Continental Airlines. The preliminary results of that flight were better than expected, and there is no reason not to proceed with algae production. Interestingly, Sapphire is also working on algae as an alternative for automobile fuel.
Many other companies are starting up algae oil production plants across the United States, creating jobs and energy security for our country. In furthering its mission of fast-tracking commercialization of algae, our next quarterly forum will focus on equipment – in very basic terms, what is needed and what is already available.
Please let us know if you would be interested in presenting your equipment capabilities at our next quarterly conference, April 30-May 1, 2009, to assist the algae oil production and biomass industry.
Thank you,
National Algae Association, The Woodlands, Texas
www.nationalalgaeassociation.com
Please note: This Organisation still exists
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Future of fuel in our forests
STUART INNES
The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia) 02-25-2009
The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia) 02-25-2009
Future of fuel in our forests
Byline: STUART INNES Edition: 1 State
Section: News
SOUTH Australia is to play a big role in producing ethanol for fuel which eventually will replace up to a quarter of the petrol used in cars, a GM Holden expert says.
Forests, including pine plantations in the South-East and even Mallee scrub saltbush, would make ideal sources of raw material for ethanol, director of energy and environment for GM Holden, Richard Marshall, said yesterday.
He confirmed an E85 version of the Commodore - able to run on up to 85 per cent ethanol/15 per cent petrol - would come off the Holden production line at Elizabeth as early as next year.
Ethanol is made of plant and vegetable matter, which can be regrown. As such, it is renewable, unlike petrol and diesel.
Mr Marshall was commenting on findings of a nine-month U.S. study by Sandia National Laboratories and General Motors Corporation.
That says plant and forestry waste and dedicated energy crops could replace nearly a third of U.S. gasoline use by 2030.
Mr Marshall said in Australia, where ethanol is in a fledgling state, raw stock mainly would come from sugar cane and wheat starch.
"There would be no food for fuel," he said of any fear growing plants for fuel would be at the cost of crops for food. Other sources would be waste material, such as plantation timber, and "more specialised crops" from such dry areas as Mallee saltbush.
A tax and cost incentive strategy from governments, as called for in the U.S. study, would be needed to make the final product attractive.
Mr Marshall estimated Australia could have 20 to 25 per cent of petroleum use replaced by ethanol at a viable price.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (SARDI)
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Biofuels
SARDI is developing a research capability in biofuels with an initial focus on biodiesel.
The Australian Government has set a target for the production of 350 million litres (ML) of biofuels per annum by 2010, representing 1% of total Australian transport and fuel consumption (currently around 35 000 ML).
The biodiesel industry is already a significant force in the United States and Europe and is rapidly emerging as a new industry sector in Australia, with approximately 450 ML of production capacity coming on stream in 2006, up from only 10 ML in 2004.
Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF) has commissioned its first biodiesel production plant in South Australia and its second plant in Western Australia will be opened in June 2006. Using waste oil and tallow as feedstock, these plants will enable ARF to supply up to 2% of the diesel market in those States. ARF’s long-term objective is to supply up to 8% of the South Australian and Western Australian markets and 5% of the Australian markets.
To do this will require enhanced varieties in crop-based feedstocks and the development of additional novel feedstocks (e.g. microalgae) for biodiesel production. It is proposed that research funded through SARDI will be pivotal in addressing this need.
Through research and innovation, Australia could become an international leader in biodiesel systems and technologies thus underpinning emerging manufacturing and primary production industries.
The Sustainable Systems Research Division, led by the Chief Rob Thomas, has developed a new program focusing on Biofuels (with an initial focus on Biodiesel). This program is led by A/Principal Scientist Dr Eric Capelle. The primary role of the program is to use existing and new SARDI expertise and infrastructure to research and develop feedstocks for biofuel production. Reliable, affordable sources of feedstock are needed to underpin the rapidly developing Biofuels industry.
SARDI has a strategic relationship with Australian Renewable Fuels (ARF). This company was recently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Its strategy is to become the leader in biodiesel production in Australia. ARF’s first 45 000 million litre per annum production plant has been built in Adelaide and will initially use tallow as feedstock. ARF intends to expand its production capacity to 220 000 million litres per annum and to do that it will need new sources of feedstock. ARF has engaged SARDI to research and develop new (and improved) feedstocks from crops,
microalgae and other sources.
In order to establish this position, SARDI has restructured its research groups. Under the new structure, the Biofuels group will include two subprograms – breeding and microalgae.
SARDI will use current breeding and farming systems capabilities to evaluate and develop canola and mustard varieties specifically tailored to biodiesel production. Some of these varieties will be targeted to cultivation in low-rainfall areas of the state, providing farmers with more crop choice in rotations.
The SARDI aquatic science research capability will also be used to select and develop microalgae as a source of oil for biodiesel. Studies show that algae can produce up to 60% of their biomass in the form of oil. Because the cells grow in aqueous suspension where they have more efficient access to water, CO2 and dissolved nutrients, microalgae are capable of producing large amounts of oil in either pond culture of bioreactors. Both technologies will be researched at SARDI.
Projects related to Biofuels
Sustainable production of biodiesel from microalgae
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Evaluation and development of new crops as feedstocks for biodiesel production
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New Biofuels Research Infrastructure
The SARDI Biofuels group has been successful in winning funds of A$5 million to develop a National Photobioreactor Facility in South Australia, based at SARDI’s West Beach site. This will be one of two pilot scale facilities in Australia for developing novel biofuel production technologies and is supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). The NCRIS program is run by the Commonwealth Government and requires State Government co-investment.
The NCRIS facilities will create new research infrastructure focused on developing new technologies for producing biodiesel and bioethanol from non-food biomass, based on models which productively utilise the whole of the biomass feedstock. The facility at SARDI will enable lab-scale photobioreactor results to be validated at pilot and demonstration-scale, an essential step in taking new biofuel feedstock technologies towards full commercialisation.
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SARDI
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
NCRIS Photobioreactor Facility
Background
The new $5 million National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) National Photobioreactor Facility is located at the South Australian Research and Development Institute’s (SARDI), Aquatic Sciences facility at West Beach, Adelaide. The NCRIS facility provides the capability for clients to research microalgal growth in experimental photobioreactors and raceways and in real time, to manipulate and monitor the system’s operational parameters and algal photophysiological parameters whilst optimising the production of algal biomass and overall lipid yield.
Microalgal culture systems
Three systems are available:
- The pilot-scale photobioreactor system comprises a 3.5m3 Algelink Solutions, tubular bioreactor, which is illuminated with natural sunlight. A regulated automated injection of nutrients (particularly inorganic sources of nitrogen and phosphorus) and carbon dioxide (dissolved in the water) can be achieved.
- Three 20m2 (10 x 2 x 0.5m) raceway ponds.
- A controlled environment room where manipulative small-scale physiological experiments can be carried out in a 15L Applikon Autoclavable photobioreactor or flasks
The facility also provides a range of microalgal harvesting systems (e.g. centrifuges) and facilities to store and process the harvested algal biomass.
Analytical capability
The physiological monitoring system comprises a state of the art relocatable laboratory with instrumentation selected to monitor the health and productivity of the microalgae and environment of the culture system and the water quality parameters of the growth medium.
There are three separate laboratories which in general house the:
- analytical microalgal photophysiological equipment;
- equipment to isolate and maintain pure cultures of microalgae; and
Laboratory equipment includes:
- Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-1700) to determine cell densities and the grow rates of the microalgae cultures.
- Spectrofluorometer (Hitachi) to determine the lipid and chlorophyll content in algal media.
- Automatic Soxhlet system (Gerhardt Soxtherm) to extract the lipids out of the microalgae or other oil containing organisms to determine the oil content.
- Nutrient analyser (Aquakem 200cd) to determines the nutrient concentrations in the growing media. It also could be used to adjust the output of the automated nutrient injection system.
- Fluorescent microscope (Olympus BX-61) to enable quantification of intracellular lipid production and the general health of the microalgal cells.
- Flow cytometer (Beckman-coulter Cell lab Quanta SC) to simultaneously measures electronic volume, side scatter and three fluorescent colours to provide unsurpassed population resolution and accurate cell counting. Additionally it provides information on lipid and chlorophyll content, plus the health of the cells.
- Liquid Scintillation Counter (Perkin Elmer) to measure overall productivity, carbon uptake rates and to trace lipid and carbon pathways.
- Rotovap including classic Soxhlet extraction unit (Buchi R210, Buchi V700 and V850) to remove the remaining solvents after the hot soxhlet extraction unit. Or provide an all in one step oil cold soxhlet extraction method.
- TOC / TN Analyser (Analytic Jenna) to analyse the total organic carbon and total bound nitrogen in liquid and solid samples.
- Phytoplankton physiology analyser to evaluate photosynthetic yield in response to environmental conditions.
- Gas Chromatography system to determine the ester profile of algal oil and will also determine the conversion of the oil into biodiesel.
- HPLC system to determine the phospholipids and sterol glucosides in the microalgal oil and used for protein anlyses.
- Gel Electrophoresis to identify and quantitate the proteins present in the algal samples.
- Freeze Dryer to process and stabilize harvested algal samples.
- Incubator for carbon uptake analyses
A range of additional laboratory equipment exists, including:
- Dishwasher (Miele G7804)
- Light meter (Li-cor LI-1400)
- Moisture balance (Mettler-Toledo HG63)
- Balance 3100g (Mettler-Toledo PB3001-L)
- Micro-balance (Mettler-Toledo AB204-S/FACT)
- Fume cupboard (Dynasafe MK3)
- Laboratory fridge (Thermoline scientific)
- Laboratory freezer (Thermoline scientific)
- Refrigerated centrifuge (Eppendorf 5810 R)
- Millipore Elix 5 Reverse Osmosis system
- Autoclave (Hirayama HV-110L)
- Flammable storage cabinet (Safe-T-Store 250L)
- Corrosives storage cabinet (Storemasta 80L)
- Heater - stirrer (VELP)
- Platform mixer (Ratek)
- Ultrasonic cleaner (Unisonics)
- Oven (Invitro UNB500)
- Laminar flow cabinet (Clyde Apac HWS Series II)
Service and costs
We offer access to quality facilities, technical expertise and advanced equipment at a subsidised rate for eligible researchers. The overall objectives are to encourage collaboration and reduce duplication of research infrastructure, nationally.
NCRIS provides the technical expertise to operate and conduct analyses at the request of customers or provide customer with the training they require to undertake the work themselves.
A comprehensive cost structure is under development and will be made available in the near future.
How to get access?
Researchers wishing to apply for access to the facilities should contact the Ausbiotech NCRIS Program Manager or contact the respective NCRIS Photobioreactor Facility Manager.
Contact
Nicole Bleasdale
NCRIS Program Manager
AusBiotech
Level 1, 322 Glenferrie Road, Malvern VIC 3144
Phone +61 3 9828 1416
Fax +61 3 9824 5188
nbleasdale@ausbiotech.org
http://www.ausbiotech.org/
http://www.ncrisbiofuels.org/
NCRIS Program Manager
AusBiotech
Level 1, 322 Glenferrie Road, Malvern VIC 3144
Phone +61 3 9828 1416
Fax +61 3 9824 5188
nbleasdale@ausbiotech.org
http://www.ausbiotech.org/
http://www.ncrisbiofuels.org/
Dr Eric Capelle
NCRIS Photobioreactor Facility Manager
South Australian Research and Development Institute
SA Aquatic Science Centre
2 Hamra Avenue, West Beach SA 5024
Phone +61 8 8207 5369
Fax +61 8 8207 5390
Mobile 0422 004 771
capelle.eric@saugov.sa.gov.au
http://www.ncrisbiofuels.org/
NCRIS Photobioreactor Facility Manager
South Australian Research and Development Institute
SA Aquatic Science Centre
2 Hamra Avenue, West Beach SA 5024
Phone +61 8 8207 5369
Fax +61 8 8207 5390
Mobile 0422 004 771
capelle.eric@saugov.sa.gov.au
http://www.ncrisbiofuels.org/
Staff
Dr Eric Capelle - NCRIS Photobioreactor Facility Manager
Eric holds a bachelors degree in Organic Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry and was awarded a doctorate in applied science by the University of South Australia in 2006. He was the laboratory and quality assurance manager responsible for the design, construction and operation of the Australian Renewable Fuels analytical laboratories (ASG Analytik) in Adelaide and Picton, WA. He has more than 20 years experience in quality assurance laboratories for materials manufacturing plants, as well as several years of postgraduate study in this field. He has vast experience in analytical chemistry and quality control and standards for biodiesel in Australia.Barbara Rone-Clarke - NCRIS Laboratory Manager
Barbara holds a BSc (Hons) degree from Birkbeck College, University of London. Before joining NCRIS she was Quality Control Manager for Novozymes Biopharma. She has over 12 years experience managing quality control laboratories, both in Australia and New Zealand in a biopharmaceutical/biotechnology environment. Barbara also has considerable experience analysing oil, gas and water samples having worked in the petroleum industry in the UK and the geothermal industry in Indonesia.
Maria-Eugenia Segade-Enrique - NCRIS Technical Officer
Maria-Eugenia holds a Licenciatura en Ciencias Biologicas (M.Sc. equivalent) from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before coming to Australia, she was working for the Invertebrate laboratory of the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences. Since arriving in Australia, she has worked for the Southern Seas Ecology Lab, Adelaide University, conducting chlorophyll analysis and processing water samples as well as rearing animals in aquaria. From January 2008 until starting with NCRIS she worked for the Environment and Ecology and Wild Fisheries science program areas at SARDI Aquatic Sciences. She has more than 6 years experience working in a variety of laboratory environments
Maria-Eugenia holds a Licenciatura en Ciencias Biologicas (M.Sc. equivalent) from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before coming to Australia, she was working for the Invertebrate laboratory of the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences. Since arriving in Australia, she has worked for the Southern Seas Ecology Lab, Adelaide University, conducting chlorophyll analysis and processing water samples as well as rearing animals in aquaria. From January 2008 until starting with NCRIS she worked for the Environment and Ecology and Wild Fisheries science program areas at SARDI Aquatic Sciences. She has more than 6 years experience working in a variety of laboratory environments
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Algaculture
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Algaculture is a form of aquaculture involving the farming of species of algae.
The majority of algae that are intentionally cultivated fall into the category of microalgae (also referred to as phytoplankton, microphytes, or planktonic algae). Macroalgae, commonly known as seaweed, also have many commercial and industrial uses, but due to their size and the specific requirements of the environment in which they need to grow, they do not lend themselves as readily to cultivation (this may change, however, with the advent of newer seaweed cultivators, which are basically algae scrubbers using upflowing air bubbles in small containers).
Commercial and industrial algae cultivation has numerous uses, including production of food ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids or natural food colorants and dyes, food, fertilizer, bioplastics, chemical feedstock (raw material), pharmaceuticals, and algal fuel, and can also be used as a means of pollution control.
The majority of algae that are intentionally cultivated fall into the category of microalgae (also referred to as phytoplankton, microphytes, or planktonic algae). Macroalgae, commonly known as seaweed, also have many commercial and industrial uses, but due to their size and the specific requirements of the environment in which they need to grow, they do not lend themselves as readily to cultivation (this may change, however, with the advent of newer seaweed cultivators, which are basically algae scrubbers using upflowing air bubbles in small containers).
Commercial and industrial algae cultivation has numerous uses, including production of food ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids or natural food colorants and dyes, food, fertilizer, bioplastics, chemical feedstock (raw material), pharmaceuticals, and algal fuel, and can also be used as a means of pollution control.
Contents
Growing, harvesting, and processing algae
Monoculture
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A common method of obtaining pure cultures is serial dilution. Cultivators dilute either a wild sample or a lab sample containing the desired algae with filtered water and introduce small aliquots (measures of this solution) into a large number of small growing containers. Dilution follows a microscopic examination of the source culture that predicts that a few of the growing containers contain a single cell of the desired species. Following a suitable period on a light table, cultivators again use the microscope to identify containers to start larger cultures.
Another approach is to use a special medium which excludes other organisms, including invasive algae. For example, Dunaliella is a commonly grown genus of microalgae which flourishes in extremely salty water that few other organisms can tolerate.
Alternatively, mixed algae cultures can work well for larval mollusks. First, the cultivator filters the sea water to remove algae which are too large for the larvae to eat. Next, the cultivator adds nutrients and possibly aerates the result. After one or two days in a greenhouse or outdoors, the resulting thin soup of mixed algae is ready for the larvae. An advantage of this method is low maintenance.
Growing algae
Microalgae is used culture brine shrimp,to which produce dormant eggs (pictured). The eggs can then be hatched on demand and fed to cultured fish larvae and crustaceans.
Temperature
The water must be in a temperature range that will support the specific algal species being grown mostly between 15˚C and 35˚C.Light and mixing
In a typical algal-cultivation system, such as an open pond, light only penetrates the top 3 to 4 inches (76–102 mm) of the water, though this depends on the algae density. As the algae grow and multiply, the culture becomes so dense that it blocks light from reaching deeper into the water. Direct sunlight is too strong for most algae, which can use only about 1⁄10 the amount of light they receive from direct sunlight; however, exposing an algae culture to direct sunlight (rather than shading it) is often the best course for strong growth, as the algae underneath the surface is able to utilize more of the less intestine light created from the shade of the algae above.To use deeper ponds, growers agitate the water, circulating the algae so that it does not remain on the surface. Paddle wheels can stir the water and compressed air coming from the bottom lifts algae from the lower regions. Agitation also helps prevent over-exposure to the sun.
Another means of supplying light is to place the light in the system. Glow plates made from sheets of plastic or glass and placed within the tank offer precise control over light intensity, and distribute it more evenly. They are seldom used, however, due to high cost.
Odor and oxygen
The odor associated with bogs, swamps, indeed any stagnant waters, can be due to oxygen depletion caused by the decay of deceased algal blooms. Under anoxic conditions, the bacteria inhabiting algae cultures break down the organic material and produce hydrogen sulfide and ammonia which causes the odor. This hypoxia often results in the death of aquatic animals. In a system where algae is intentionally cultivated, maintained, and harvested, neither eutrophication nor hypoxia are likely to occur.Some living algae and bacteria, also produce odorous chemicals, particularly certain (cyanobacteria) (previously classed as blue-green algae) such as Anabaena. The most well-known of these odor-causing chemicals are MIB (2-methylisoborneol) and geosmin. They give a musty or earthy odor that can be quite strong. Eventual death of the cyanobacteria releases additional gas that is trapped in the cells. These chemicals are detectable at very low levels, in the parts per billion range, and are responsible for many "taste and odor" issues in drinking water treatment and distribution.[2] Cyanobacteria can also produce chemical toxins that have been a problem in drinking water.
Nutrients
Nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) serve as fertilizer for algae, and are generally necessary for growth. Silica and iron, as well as several trace elements, may also be considered important marine nutrients as the lack of one can limit the growth of, or productivity in, a given area. Carbon dioxide is also essential; usually an input of CO2 is required for fast-paced algal growth. These elements must be dissolved into the water, in bio-available forms, for algae to grow.Pond and bioreactor cultivation methods
Algae can be cultured in open ponds (such as raceway-type ponds and lakes) and photobioreactors. Raceway ponds may be less expensive.[citation needed]Open ponds
Raceway pond used to cultivate microalgae. The water is kept in constant motion with a powered paddle wheel.
Open pond systems are cheaper to construct, at the minimum requiring only a trench or pond. Large ponds have the largest production capacities relative to other systems of comparable cost. Also, open pond cultivation can exploit unusual conditions that suit only specific algae. For instance, Dunaliella salina grow in extremely salty water; these unusual media exclude other types of organisms, allowing the growth of pure cultures in open ponds. Open culture can also work if there is a system of harvesting only the desired algae, or if the ponds are frequently re-inoculated before invasive organisms can multiply significantly. The latter approach is frequently employed by Chlorella farmers, as the growth conditions for Chlorella do not exclude competing algae.
The former approach can be employed in the case of some chain diatoms since they can be filtered from a stream of water flowing through an outflow pipe. A "pillow case" of a fine mesh cloth is tied over the outflow pipe allowing other algae to escape. The chain diatoms are held in the bag and feed shrimp larvae (in Eastern hatcheries) and inoculate new tanks or ponds.
Enclosing a pond with a transparent or translucent barrier effectively turns it into a greenhouse. This solves many of the problems associated with an open system. It allows more species to be grown, it allows the species that are being grown to stay dominant, and it extends the growing season – if heated, the pond can produce year round. Open race way ponds were used for removal of lead using live Spirulina (Arthospira) sp.[3]
Photobioreactors
Algae can also be grown in a photobioreactor (PBR). A PBR is a bioreactor which incorporates a light source. Virtually any translucent container could be called a PBR; however, the term is more commonly used to define a closed system, as opposed to an open tank or pond.Because PBR systems are closed, the cultivator must provide all nutrients, including CO
2.
A PBR can operate in "batch mode", which involves restocking the reactor after each harvest, but it is also possible to grow and harvest continuously. Continuous operation requires precise control of all elements to prevent immediate collapse. The grower provides sterilized water, nutrients, air, and carbon dioxide at the correct rates. This allows the reactor to operate for long periods. An advantage is that algae that grows in the "log phase" is generally of higher nutrient content than old "senescent" algae. Algal culture is the culturing of algae in ponds or other resources. Maximum productivity occurs when the "exchange rate" (time to exchange one volume of liquid) is equal to the "doubling time" (in mass or volume) of the algae.
Different types of PBRs include:
- Tanks
- Polyethylene sleeves or bags
- Glass or plastic tubes.
Harvesting
A seaweed farmer in Nusa Lembongan gathers edible seaweed that has grown on a rope.
Interrupting the carbon dioxide supply can cause algae to flocculate on its own, which is called "autoflocculation".
"Chitosan", a commercial flocculant, more commonly used for water purification, is far more expensive. The powdered shells of crustaceans are processed to acquire chitin, a polysaccharide found in the shells, from which chitosan is derived via de-acetylation. Water that is more brackish, or saline requires larger amounts of flocculant. Flocculation is often too expensive for large operations.
Alum and ferric chloride are other chemical flocculants.
In froth flotation, the cultivator aerates the water into a froth, and then skims the algae from the top.[5]
Ultrasound and other harvesting methods are currently under development.[6][7][8]
Oil extraction
Algae oils have a variety of commercial and industrial uses, and are extracted through a variety of methods. Estimates of the cost to extract oil from microalgae vary, but are likely to be around three times higher than that of extracting palm oil.[9]Physical extraction
In the first step of extraction, the oil must be separated from the rest of the algae. The simplest method is mechanical crushing. When algae is dried it retains its oil content, which then can be "pressed" out with an oil press. Different strains of algae warrant different methods of oil pressing, including the use of screw, expeller and piston. Many commercial manufacturers of vegetable oil use a combination of mechanical pressing and chemical solvents in extracting oil. This use is often also adopted for algal oil extraction.Osmotic shock is a sudden reduction in osmotic pressure, this can cause cells in a solution to rupture. Osmotic shock is sometimes used to release cellular components, such as oil.
Ultrasonic extraction, a branch of sonochemistry, can greatly accelerate extraction processes. Using an ultrasonic reactor, ultrasonic waves are used to create cavitation bubbles in a solvent material. When these bubbles collapse near the cell walls, the resulting shock waves and liquid jets cause those cells walls to break and release their contents into a solvent.[10] Ultrasonication can enhance basic enzymatic extraction. The combination "sonoenzymatic treatment" accelerates extraction and increases yields.[11]
Chemical extraction
Chemical solvents are often used in the extraction of the oils. The downside to using solvents for oil extraction are the dangers involved in working with the chemicals. Care must be taken to avoid exposure to vapors and skin contact, either of which can cause serious health damage. Chemical solvents also present an explosion hazard.[12]A common choice of chemical solvent is hexane, which is widely used in the food industry and is relatively inexpensive. Benzene and ether can also separate oil. Benzene is classified as a carcinogen.
Another method of chemical solvent extraction is Soxhlet extraction. In this method, oils from the algae are extracted through repeated washing, or percolation, with an organic solvent such as hexane or petroleum ether, under reflux in a special glassware.[13] The value of this technique is that the solvent is reused for each cycle.
Enzymatic extraction uses enzymes to degrade the cell walls with water acting as the solvent. This makes fractionation of the oil much easier. The costs of this extraction process are estimated to be much greater than hexane extraction.[14] The enzymatic extraction can be supported by ultrasonication. The combination "sonoenzymatic treatment" causes faster extraction and higher oil yields.[11]
Supercritical CO2 can also be used as a solvent. In this method, CO2 is liquefied under pressure and heated to the point that it becomes supercritical (having properties of both a liquid and a gas), allowing it to act as a solvent.[15][16]
Other methods are still being developed, including ones to extract specific types of oils, such as those with a high production of long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids.[6][7]
Algal culture collections
Specific algal strains can be acquired from algal culture collections, with over 500 culture collections registered with the World Federation for Culture Collections.[17]Uses of algae
Dulse is one of many edible algae.
Food
Several species of algae are raised for food.- Purple laver (Porphyra) is perhaps the most widely domesticated marine algae.[18] In Asia it is used in nori (Japan) and gim (Korea). In Wales, it is used in laverbread, a traditional food, and in Ireland it is collected and made into a jelly by stewing or boiling. Preparation also can involve frying or heating the fronds with a little water and beating with a fork to produce a pinkish jelly. Harvesting also occurs along the west coast of North America, and in Hawaii and New Zealand.
- Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a red species sold in Ireland and Atlantic Canada. It is eaten raw, fresh, dried, or cooked like spinach.
- Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a blue-green microalgae with a long history as a food source in East Africa and pre-colonial Mexico. Spirulina is high in protein and other nutrients, finding use as a food supplement and for malnutrition. Spirulina thrives in open systems and commercial growers have found it well-suited to cultivation. One of the largest production sites is Lake Texcoco in central Mexico.[19] The plants produce a variety of nutrients and high amounts of protein. Spirulina is often used commercially as a nutritional supplement.[20][21]
- Chlorella, another popular microalgae, has similar nutrition to spirulina. Chlorella is very popular in Japan. It is also used as a nutritional supplement with possible effects on metabolic rate.[22] Some allege that Chlorella can reduce mercury levels in humans (supposedly by chelation of the mercury to the cell wall of the organism).[23]
- Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), often confused with Mastocarpus stellatus, is the source of carrageenan, which is used as a stiffening agent in instant puddings, sauces, and dairy products such as ice cream. Irish moss is also used by beer brewers as a fining agent.
- Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca), is used in Scotland where it is added to soups and salads.
- Dabberlocks or badderlocks (Alaria esculenta) is eaten either fresh or cooked in Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland.
- Aphanizomenon flos-aquae is a cyanobacteria similar to spirulina, which is used as a nutritional supplement.
- Extracts and oils from algae are also used as additives in various food products.[24] The plants also produce Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are commonly found in fish oils, and which have been shown to have positive health benefits.[25]
- Sargassum species are an important group of seaweeds. These algae have many phlorotannins.
- Cochayuyo (Durvillaea antarctica) is eaten in salads and ceviche in Peru and Chile.
Fertilizer and agar
For centuries seaweed has been used as fertilizer. It is also an excellent source of potassium for manufacture of potash and potassium nitrate.Both microalgae and macroalgae are used to make agar.[26][27][28]
Pollution control
With concern over global warming, new methods for the thorough and efficient capture of CO2 are being sought out. The carbon dioxide that a carbon-fuel burning plant produces can feed into open or closed algae systems, fixing the CO2 and accelerating algae growth. Untreated sewage can supply additional nutrients, thus turning two pollutants into valuable commodities.[29]Algae cultivation is under study for uranium/plutonium sequestration and purifying fertilizer runoff.
Energy production
Business, academia and governments are exploring the possibility of using algae to make gasoline, diesel and other fuels. Algae itself may be used as a biofuel, and additionally be used to create hydrogen. See Algae fuel.Other uses
Chlorella, particularly a transgenic strain which carries an extra mercury reductase gene, has been studied as an agent for environmental remediation due to its ability to reduce Hg2+ to the less toxic elemental mercury.[30]Cultivated algae serve many other purposes, including cosmetics,[31] animal feed,[31] bioplastic production, dyes and colorant production, chemical feedstock production, and pharmaceutical ingredients.
...................................................................................
Will the blight on our waterways be a new source of fuel
GREG KELTON , LOS ANGELES Travelling with the Premier
The Advertiser (Adelaide, Australia)
08-18-2009
08-18-2009
Will the blight on our waterways be a new source of fuel
Byline: GREG KELTON GREG KELTON, LOS ANGELES Travelling with the Premier
Edition: 1 State
Section: News
THE U.S. parent company of uranium producer Heathgate Resources has held talks with the State Government over developing a renewable energy fuel in South Australia - from algae.
Premier Mike Rann met for an hour yesterday with Neal Blue, the chief executive officer of General Atomics, which owns the Beverley uranium deposits in SA's Far North.
Byline: GREG KELTON GREG KELTON, LOS ANGELES Travelling with the Premier
Edition: 1 State
Section: News
THE U.S. parent company of uranium producer Heathgate Resources has held talks with the State Government over developing a renewable energy fuel in South Australia - from algae.
Premier Mike Rann met for an hour yesterday with Neal Blue, the chief executive officer of General Atomics, which owns the Beverley uranium deposits in SA's Far North.
Mr Rann said SA was now poised to become a national leader in refining biosynthetic fuels, with the potential to create thousands of jobs.
Mr Blue said his company was interested in developments in microalgal biofuels in SA because there was huge potential for their use in the future - especially in the aviation industry.
Mr Blue said at least one U.S. commercial airline had already tested biofuels in a passenger flight across America. He said SA was highly placed to develop algal fuels because of its high sunlight, brackish water and carbon dioxide.
Mr Rann said algal biofuel was attractive because of its relatively high oil yield and its efficiency in recycling carbon.
"It is estimated that replacing just 10 per cent of Australia's mineral diesel with biodiesel from microalgae would bring about a reduction of nearly 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels," he said.
The Federal Government recently granted $2.7 million to an SA- based consortium to develop a pilot-scale biorefinery for sustainable microalgal biofuels and added products.
The pilot project - run by the Algal Fuels Consortium which includes the SA Research and Development Institute, Flinders University and Sancon Recycling - will be located at Torrens Island.
General Atomics is one of several companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Caltex, which are interested in the development.
Mr Rann said biodiesel made from algae was considered by many to be more environmentally acceptable than some past-generation biofuels, such as those made from sugar cane or other food crops.
He said international companies were investing substantial amounts of money in biofuel research and development, with BP investing $500 million two years ago in a University of California project.
Mr Blue said biosynthetic fuels worked, it was now a matter of how cheaply it could be produced, which was where projects like the Algal Fuels Consortium were important. His company was already working on a U.S. Defence Department contract examining synthetic fuel options.
"SARDI have been doing independent work on this so it has been of interest to us to become involved in SA in respect of our own interests in biosynthetic fuels," Mr Blue said.
((C) Copyright Nationwide News Pty Limited)
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Algae fuel
A conical flask of "green" jet fuel made from algae
The head of the Algal Biomass Organization stated in 2010 that algae fuel could reach price parity with oil in 2018 if granted production tax credits.[13] However, in 2013, Exxon Mobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson said that after committing to spend up to $600 million over 10 years on development in a joint venture with J. Craig Venter's Synthetic Genomics in 2009, Exxon pulled back after four years (and $100 million) when it realized that algae fuel is "probably further" than 25 years away from commercial viability.[14] On the other hand, Solazyme,[15] Sapphire Energy,[16] and Algenol,[17] among others have begun commercial sale of algal biofuel in 2012 and 2013, and 2015, respectively. By 2017, most efforts had been abandoned or changed to other applications, with only a few remaining.[18]
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Food supplementation
- 3 Fuels
- 4 Species
- 5 Nutrients and growth inputs
- 6 Cultivation
- 7 Fuel production
- 8 Nutrients
- 9 Environmental impact
- 10 Economic viability
- 11 Use of Byproducts
- 12 Advantages
- 13 Disadvantages
- 14 Research
- 15 International policies
- 16 Companies
- 17 See also
- 18 References
- 19 Further reading
- 20 External links
History
In 1942 Harder and Von Witsch were the first to propose that microalgae be grown as a source of lipids for food or fuel.[19][20] Following World War II, research began in the US,[21][22][23] Germany,[24] Japan,[25] England,[26] and Israel[27] on culturing techniques and engineering systems for growing microalgae on larger scales, particularly species in the genus Chlorella. Meanwhile, H. G. Aach showed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa could be induced via nitrogen starvation to accumulate as much as 70% of its dry weight as lipids.[28] Since the need for alternative transportation fuel had subsided after World War II, research at this time focused on culturing algae as a food source or, in some cases, for wastewater treatment.[29]Interest in the application of algae for biofuels was rekindled during the oil embargo and oil price surges of the 1970s, leading the US Department of Energy to initiate the Aquatic Species Program in 1978.[30] The Aquatic Species Program spent $25 million over 18 years with the goal of developing liquid transportation fuel from algae that would be price competitive with petroleum-derived fuels.[31] The research program focused on the cultivation of microalgae in open outdoor ponds, systems which are low in cost but vulnerable to environmental disturbances like temperature swings and biological invasions. 3,000 algal strains were collected from around the country and screened for desirable properties such as high productivity, lipid content, and thermal tolerance, and the most promising strains were included in the SERI microalgae collection at the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in Golden, Colorado and used for further research.[31] Among the program's most significant findings were that rapid growth and high lipid production were "mutually exclusive", since the former required high nutrients and the latter required low nutrients.[31] The final report suggested that genetic engineering may be necessary to be able to overcome this and other natural limitations of algal strains, and that the ideal species might vary with place and season.[31] Although it was successfully demonstrated that large-scale production of algae for fuel in outdoor ponds was feasible, the program failed to do so at a cost that would be competitive with petroleum, especially as oil prices sank in the 1990s. Even in the best case scenario, it was estimated that unextracted algal oil would cost $59–186 per barrel,[31] while petroleum cost less than $20 per barrel in 1995.[30] Therefore, under budget pressure in 1996, the Aquatic Species Program was abandoned.[31]
Other contributions to algal biofuels research have come indirectly from projects focusing on different applications of algal cultures. For example, in the 1990s Japan's Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) implemented a research program with the goal of developing systems to fix CO
2 using microalgae.[32] Although the goal was not energy production, several studies produced by RITE demonstrated that algae could be grown using flue gas from power plants as a CO
2 source,[33][34] an important development for algal biofuel research. Other work focusing on harvesting hydrogen gas, methane, or ethanol from algae, as well as nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical compounds, has also helped inform research on biofuel production from algae.[29]
Following the disbanding of the Aquatic Species Program in 1996, there was a relative lull in algal biofuel research. Still, various projects were funded in the US by the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, Department of Agriculture, National Laboratories, state funding, and private funding, as well as in other countries.[30] More recently, rising oil prices in the 2000s spurred a revival of interest in algal biofuels and US federal funding has increased,[30] numerous research projects are being funded in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world,[35] and a wave of private companies has entered the field[36] (see Companies). In November 2012, Solazyme and Propel Fuels made the first retail sales of algae-derived fuel,[15] and in March 2013 Sapphire Energy began commercial sales of algal biofuel to Tesoro.[16]
Food supplementation
Algal oil is used as a source of fatty acid supplementation in food products, as it contains mono- and polyunsaturated fats, in particular EPA and DHA.[37] Its DHA content is roughly equivalent to that of salmon based fish oil.[38][39]Fuels
Algae can be converted into various types of fuels, depending on the technique and the part of the cells used. The lipid, or oily part of the algae biomass can be extracted and converted into biodiesel through a process similar to that used for any other vegetable oil, or converted in a refinery into "drop-in" replacements for petroleum-based fuels. Alternatively or following lipid extraction, the carbohydrate content of algae can be fermented into bioethanol or butanol fuel.[40]Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a diesel fuel derived from animal or plant lipids (oils and fats). Studies have shown that some species of algae can produce 60% or more of their dry weight in the form of oil.[28][31][41][42][43] Because the cells grow in aqueous suspension, where they have more efficient access to water, CO2 and dissolved nutrients, microalgae are capable of producing large amounts of biomass and usable oil in either high rate algal ponds or photobioreactors. This oil can then be turned into biodiesel which could be sold for use in automobiles. Regional production of microalgae and processing into biofuels will provide economic benefits to rural communities.[44]
As they do not have to produce structural compounds such as cellulose for leaves, stems, or roots, and because they can be grown floating in a rich nutritional medium, microalgae can have faster growth rates than terrestrial crops. Also, they can convert a much higher fraction of their biomass to oil than conventional crops, e.g. 60% versus 2-3% for soybeans.[41] The per unit area yield of oil from algae is estimated to be from 58,700 to 136,900 L/ha/year, depending on lipid content, which is 10 to 23 times as high as the next highest yielding crop, oil palm, at 5 950 L/ha/year.[45]
The U.S. Department of Energy's Aquatic Species Program, 1978–1996, focused on biodiesel from microalgae. The final report suggested that biodiesel could be the only viable method by which to produce enough fuel to replace current world diesel usage.[46] If algae-derived biodiesel were to replace the annual global production of 1.1bn tons of conventional diesel then a land mass of 57.3 million hectares would be required, which would be highly favorable compared to other biofuels.[47]
Biobutanol
Butanol can be made from algae or diatoms using only a solar powered biorefinery. This fuel has an energy density 10% less than gasoline, and greater than that of either ethanol or methanol. In most gasoline engines, butanol can be used in place of gasoline with no modifications. In several tests, butanol consumption is similar to that of gasoline, and when blended with gasoline, provides better performance and corrosion resistance than that of ethanol or E85.[48]The green waste left over from the algae oil extraction can be used to produce butanol. In addition, it has been shown that macroalgae (seaweeds) can be fermented by Clostridia genus bacteria to butanol and other solvents.[49]
Biogasoline
Biogasoline is gasoline produced from biomass. Like traditionally produced gasoline, it contains between 6 (hexane) and 12 (dodecane) carbon atoms per molecule and can be used in internal-combustion engines.[50]Methane
Methane,[51] the main constituent of natural gas can be produced from algae in various methods, namely gasification, pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion. In gasification and pyrolysis methods methane is extracted under high temperature and pressure. Anaerobic digestion[52] is a straightforward method involved in decomposition of algae into simple components then transforming it into fatty acids using microbes like acidogenic bacteria followed by removing any solid particles and finally adding methanogenic bacteria to release a gas mixture containing methane. A number of studies have successfully shown that biomass from microalgae can be converted into biogas via anaerobic digestion.[53][54][55][56][57] Therefore, in order to improve the overall energy balance of microalgae cultivation operations, it has been proposed to recover the energy contained in waste biomass via anaerobic digestion to methane for generating electricity.[58]Ethanol
The Algenol system which is being commercialized by BioFields in Puerto Libertad, Sonora, Mexico utilizes seawater and industrial exhaust to produce ethanol. Porphyridium cruentum also have shown to be potentially suitable for ethanol production due to its capacity for accumulating large amount of carbohydrates.[59]Green diesel
Algae can be used to produce 'green diesel' (also known as renewable diesel, hydrotreating vegetable oil[60] or hydrogen-derived renewable diesel)[61] through a hydrotreating refinery process that breaks molecules down into shorter hydrocarbon chains used in diesel engines.[60][62] It has the same chemical properties as petroleum-based diesel[60] meaning that it does not require new engines, pipelines or infrastructure to distribute and use. It has yet to be produced at a cost that is competitive with petroleum.[61] While hydrotreating is currently the most common pathway to produce fuel-like hydrocarbons via decarboxylation/decarbonylation, there is an alternative process offering a number of important advantages over hydrotreating. In this regard, the work of Crocker et al.[63] and Lercher et al.[64] is particularly noteworthy. For oil refining, research is underway for catalytic conversion of renewable fuels by decarboxylation.[65] As the oxygen is present in crude oil at rather low levels, of the order of 0.5%, deoxygenation in petroleum refining is not of much concern, and no catalysts are specifically formulated for oxygenates hydrotreating. Hence, one of the critical technical challenges to make the hydrodeoxygenation of algae oil process economically feasible is related to the research and development of effective catalysts.[66][67]Jet fuel
Rising jet fuel prices are putting severe pressure on airline companies,[68] creating an incentive for algal jet fuel research. The International Air Transport Association, for example, supports research, development and deployment of algal fuels. IATA's goal is for its members to be using 10% alternative fuels by 2017.[69]Trials have been carried with aviation biofuel by Air New Zealand,[70] Lufthansa, and Virgin Airlines.[71]
In February 2010, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency announced that the U.S. military was about to begin large-scale oil production from algal ponds into jet fuel. After extraction at a cost of $2 per gallon, the oil will be refined at less than $3 a gallon. A larger-scale refining operation, producing 50 million gallons a year, is expected to go into production in 2013, with the possibility of lower per gallon costs so that algae-based fuel would be competitive with fossil fuels. The projects, run by the companies SAIC and General Atomics, are expected to produce 1,000 gallons of oil per acre per year from algal ponds.[72]
Species
Research into algae for the mass-production of oil focuses mainly on microalgae (organisms capable of photosynthesis that are less than 0.4 mm in diameter, including the diatoms and cyanobacteria) as opposed to macroalgae, such as seaweed. The preference for microalgae has come about due largely to their less complex structure, fast growth rates, and high oil-content (for some species). However, some research is being done into using seaweeds for biofuels, probably due to the high availability of this resource.[73][74]As of 2012 researchers across various locations worldwide have started investigating the following species for their suitability as a mass oil-producers:[75][76][77]
- Botryococcus braunii
- Chlorella
- Dunaliella tertiolecta
- Gracilaria
- Pleurochrysis carterae (also called CCMP647).[78]
- Sargassum, with 10 times the output volume of Gracilaria.[79]
- Ankistrodesmus TR-87: 28–40% dry weight
- Botryococcus braunii: 29–75% dw
- Chlorella sp.: 29%dw
- Chlorella protothecoides(autotrophic/ heterothrophic): 15–55% dw
- Crypthecodinium cohnii: 20%dw
- Cyclotella DI- 35: 42%dw
- Dunaliella tertiolecta : 36–42%dw
- Hantzschia DI-160: 66%dw
- Nannochloris: 31(6–63)%dw
- Nannochloropsis : 46(31–68)%dw
- Neochloris oleoabundans: 35–54%dw
- Nitzschia TR-114: 28–50%dw
- Phaeodactylum tricornutum: 31%dw
- Scenedesmus TR-84: 45%dw
- Schizochytrium 50–77%dw[80]
- Stichococcus: 33(9–59)%dw
- Tetraselmis suecica: 15–32%dw
- Thalassiosira pseudonana: (21–31)%dw
Other species used include Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum,[83] Sargassum, Glacilaria, Prymnesium parvum, and Euglena gracilis[84]
Nutrients and growth inputs
Light is what algae primarily need for growth as it is the most limiting factor. Many companies are investing for developing systems and technologies for providing artificial light. One of them is OriginOil that has developed a Helix BioReactorTM that features a rotating vertical shaft with low-energy lights arranged in a helix pattern.[85] Water temperature also influences the metabolic and reproductive rates of algae. Although most algae grow at low rate when the water temperature gets lower, the biomass of algal communities can get large due to the absence of grazing organisms.[85] The modest increases in water current velocity may also affect rates of algae growth since the rate of nutrient uptake and boundary layer diffusion increases with current velocity.[85]Other than light and water, phosphorus, nitrogen, and certain micronutrients are also useful and essential in growing algae. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two most significant nutrients required for algal productivity, but other nutrients such as carbon and silica are additionally required.[86] Of the nutrients required, phosphorus is one of the most essential ones as it is used in numerous metabolic processes. The microalgae D. tertiolecta was analyzed to see which nutrient affects its growth the most.[87] The concentrations of phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), silicon (Si) and sulfur (S) concentrations were measured daily using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. Among all these elements being measured, phosphorus resulted in the most dramatic decrease, with a reduction of 84% over the course of the culture.[87] This result indicates that phosphorus, in the form of phosphate, is required in high amounts by all organisms for metabolism.
There are two enrichment media that have been extensively used to grow most species of algae: Walne medium and the Guillard's F/2 medium.[88] These commercially available nutrient solutions may reduce time for preparing all the nutrients required to grow algae. However, due to their complexity in the process of generation and high cost, they are not used for large-scale culture operations.[88] Therefore, enrichment media used for mass production of algae contain only the most important nutrients with agriculture-grade fertilizers rather than laboratory-grade fertilizers.[88]
Cultivation
Photobioreactor from glass tubes
Design of a race-way open pond commonly used for algal culture
Closed-loop system
The lack of equipment and structures needed to begin growing algae in large quantities has inhibited widespread mass-production of algae for biofuel production. Maximum use of existing agriculture processes and hardware is the goal.[91]Closed systems (not exposed to open air) avoid the problem of contamination by other organisms blown in by the air. The problem for a closed system is finding a cheap source of sterile CO
2. Several experimenters have found the CO
2 from a smokestack works well for growing algae.[92][93] For reasons of economy, some experts think that algae farming for biofuels will have to be done as part of cogeneration, where it can make use of waste heat and help soak up pollution.[94][95]
Photobioreactors
Most companies pursuing algae as a source of biofuels pump nutrient-rich water through plastic or borosilicate glass tubes (called "bioreactors" ) that are exposed to sunlight (and so-called photobioreactors or PBR).Running a PBR is more difficult than using an open pond, and costlier, but may provide a higher level of control and productivity.[42] In addition, a photobioreactor can be integrated into a closed loop cogeneration system much more easily than ponds or other methods.
Open pond
Raceway pond used for the cultivation of microalgae
Some open sewage-ponds trial production has taken place in Marlborough, New Zealand.[97]
Turf scrubber
2.5 acre ATS system, installed by Hydromentia on a farm creek in Florida
There are three major advantages of ATS over other systems. The first advantage is documented higher productivity over open pond systems.[102] The second is lower operating and fuel production costs. The third is the elimination of contamination issues due to the reliance on naturally occurring algae species. The projected costs for energy production in an ATS system are $0.75/kg, compared to a photobioreactor which would cost $3.50/kg.[100] Furthermore, due to the fact that the primary purpose of ATS is removing nutrients and pollutants out of water, and these costs have been shown to be lower than other methods of nutrient removal, this may incentivize the use of this technology for nutrient removal as the primary function, with biofuel production as an added benefit.[103]
Algae being harvested and dried from an ATS system
Fuel production
After harvesting the algae, the biomass is typically processed in a series of steps, which can differ based on the species and desired product; this is an active area of research[42] and also is the bottleneck of this technology: the cost of extraction is higher than those obtained. One of the solutions is to use filter feeders to "eat" them. Improved animals can provide both foods and fuels. An alternative method to extract the algae is to grow the algae with specific types of fungi. This causes bio-flocculation of the algae which allows for easier extraction.[104]Dehydration
Often, the algae is dehydrated, and then a solvent such as hexane is used to extract energy-rich compounds like triglycerides from the dried material.[1] Then, the extracted compounds can be processed into fuel using standard industrial procedures. For example, the extracted triglycerides are reacted with methanol to create biodiesel via transesterification.[1] The unique composition of fatty acids of each species influences the quality of the resulting biodiesel and thus must be taken into account when selecting algal species for feedstock.[42]Hydrothermal liquefaction
An alternative approach called Hydrothermal liquefaction employs a continuous process that subjects harvested wet algae to high temperatures and pressures—350 °C (662 °F) and 3,000 pounds per square inch (21,000 kPa).[105][106][107]Products include crude oil, which can be further refined into aviation fuel, gasoline, or diesel fuel using one or many upgrading processes.[108] The test process converted between 50 and 70 percent of the algae's carbon into fuel. Other outputs include clean water, fuel gas and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.[105]
Nutrients
Nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), are important for plant growth and are essential parts of fertilizer. Silica and iron, as well as several trace elements, may also be considered important marine nutrients as the lack of one can limit the growth of, or productivity in, an area.[109]Carbon dioxide
Bubbling CO2 through algal cultivation systems can greatly increase productivity and yield (up to a saturation point). Typically, about 1.8 tonnes of CO
2 will be utilised per tonne of algal biomass (dry) produced, though this varies with algae species.[110] The Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, UK – home to The Famous Grouse Whisky – percolate CO
2 made during the whisky distillation through a microalgae bioreactor. Each tonne of microalgae absorbs two tonnes of CO
2. Scottish Bioenergy, who run the project, sell the microalgae as high value, protein-rich food for fisheries. In the future, they will use the algae residues to produce renewable energy through anaerobic digestion.[111]
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a valuable substrate that can be utilized in algal growth. Various sources of nitrogen can be used as a nutrient for algae, with varying capacities. Nitrate was found to be the preferred source of nitrogen, in regards to amount of biomass grown. Urea is a readily available source that shows comparable results, making it an economical substitute for nitrogen source in large scale culturing of algae.[112] Despite the clear increase in growth in comparison to a nitrogen-less medium, it has been shown that alterations in nitrogen levels affect lipid content within the algal cells. In one study[113] nitrogen deprivation for 72 hours caused the total fatty acid content (on a per cell basis) to increase by 2.4-fold. 65% of the total fatty acids were esterified to triacylglycerides in oil bodies, when compared to the initial culture, indicating that the algal cells utilized de novo synthesis of fatty acids. It is vital for the lipid content in algal cells to be of high enough quantity, while maintaining adequate cell division times, so parameters that can maximize both are under investigation.Wastewater
A possible nutrient source is waste water from the treatment of sewage, agricultural, or flood plain run-off, all currently major pollutants and health risks. However, this waste water cannot feed algae directly and must first be processed by bacteria, through anaerobic digestion. If waste water is not processed before it reaches the algae, it will contaminate the algae in the reactor, and at the very least, kill much of the desired algae strain. In biogas facilities, organic waste is often converted to a mixture of carbon dioxide, methane, and organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer that comes out of the digester is liquid, and nearly suitable for algae growth, but it must first be cleaned and sterilized.[114]The utilization of wastewater and ocean water instead of freshwater is strongly advocated due to the continuing depletion of freshwater resources. However, heavy metals, trace metals, and other contaminants in wastewater can decrease the ability of cells to produce lipids biosynthetically and also impact various other workings in the machinery of cells. The same is true for ocean water, but the contaminants are found in different concentrations. Thus, agricultural-grade fertilizer is the preferred source of nutrients, but heavy metals are again a problem, especially for strains of algae that are susceptible to these metals. In open pond systems the use of strains of algae that can deal with high concentrations of heavy metals could prevent other organisms from infesting these systems.[89] In some instances it has even been shown that strains of algae can remove over 90% of nickel and zinc from industrial wastewater in relatively short periods of time.[115]
Environmental impact
In comparison with terrestrial-based biofuel crops such as corn or soybeans, microalgal production results in a much less significant land footprint due to the higher oil productivity from the microalgae than all other oil crops.[116] Algae can also be grown on marginal lands useless for ordinary crops and with low conservation value, and can use water from salt aquifers that is not useful for agriculture or drinking.[94][117] Algae can also grow on the surface of the ocean in bags or floating screens.[118] Thus microalgae could provide a source of clean energy with little impact on the provisioning of adequate food and water or the conservation of biodiversity.[119] Algae cultivation also requires no external subsidies of insecticides or herbicides, removing any risk of generating associated pesticide waste streams. In addition, algal biofuels are much less toxic, and degrade far more readily than petroleum-based fuels.[120][121][122] However, due to the flammable nature of any combustible fuel, there is potential for some environmental hazards if ignited or spilled, as may occur in a train derailment or a pipeline leak.[123] This hazard is reduced compared to fossil fuels, due to the ability for algal biofuels to be produced in a much more localized manner, and due to the lower toxicity overall, but the hazard is still there nonetheless. Therefore, algal biofuels should be treated in a similar manner to petroleum fuels in transportation and use, with sufficient safety measures in place at all times.Studies have determined that replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, have the capability of reducing CO
2 emissions by up to 80%.[124] An algae-based system could capture approximately 80% of the CO
2 emitted from a power plant when sunlight is available. Although this CO
2 will later be released into the atmosphere when the fuel is burned, this CO
2 would have entered the atmosphere regardless.[117] The possibility of reducing total CO
2 emissions therefore lies in the prevention of the release of CO
2 from fossil fuels. Furthermore, compared to fuels like diesel and petroleum, and even compared to other sources of biofuels, the production and combustion of algal biofuel does not produce any sulfur oxides or nitrous oxides, and produces a reduced amount of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and reduced emission of other harmful pollutants.[125] Since terrestrial plant sources of biofuel production simply do not have the production capacity to meet current energy requirements, microalgae may be one of the only options to approach complete replacement of fossil fuels.
Microalgae production also includes the ability to use saline waste or waste CO
2 streams as an energy source. This opens a new strategy to produce biofuel in conjunction with waste water treatment, while being able to produce clean water as a byproduct.[125] When used in a microalgal bioreactor, harvested microalgae will capture significant quantities of organic compounds as well as heavy metal contaminants absorbed from wastewater streams that would otherwise be directly discharged into surface and ground-water.[116] Moreover, this process also allows the recovery of phosphorus from waste, which is an essential but scarce element in nature – the reserves of which are estimated to have depleted in the last 50 years.[126] Another possibility is the use of algae production systems to clean up non-point source pollution, in a system known as an algal turf scrubber (ATS). This has been demonstrated to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in rivers and other large bodies of water affected by eutrophication, and systems are being built that will be capable of processing up to 110 million liters of water per day. ATS can also be used for treating point source pollution, such as the waste water mentioned above, or in treating livestock effluent.[100][127][128]
Polycultures
Nearly all research in algal biofuels has focused on culturing single species, or monocultures, of microalgae. However, ecological theory and empirical studies have demonstrated that plant and algae polycultures, i.e. groups of multiple species, tend to produce larger yields than monocultures.[129][130][131][132] Experiments have also shown that more diverse aquatic microbial communities tend to be more stable through time than less diverse communities.[133][134][135][136] Recent studies found that polycultures of microalgae produced significantly higher lipid yields than monocultures.[137][138] Polycultures also tend to be more resistant to pest and disease outbreaks, as well as invasion by other plants or algae.[139] Thus culturing microalgae in polyculture may not only increase yields and stability of yields of biofuel, but also reduce the environmental impact of an algal biofuel industry.[119]Economic viability
There is clearly a demand for sustainable biofuel production, but whether a particular biofuel will be used ultimately depends not on sustainability but cost efficiency. Therefore, research is focusing on cutting the cost of algal biofuel production to the point where it can compete with conventional petroleum.[42][140] The production of several products from algae has been mentioned[weasel words] as the most important factor for making algae production economically viable. Other factors are the improving of the solar energy to biomass conversion efficiency (currently 3%, but 5 to 7% is theoretically attainable[141])and making the oil extraction from the algae easier.[142]In a 2007 report[42] a formula was derived estimating the cost of algal oil in order for it to be a viable substitute to petroleum diesel:
-
- C(algal oil) = 25.9 × 10−3 C(petroleum)
With current technology available, it is estimated that the cost of producing microalgal biomass is $2.95/kg for photobioreactors and $3.80/kg for open-ponds. These estimates assume that carbon dioxide is available at no cost.[144] If the annual biomass production capacity is increased to 10,000 tonnes, the cost of production per kilogram reduces to roughly $0.47 and $0.60, respectively. Assuming that the biomass contains 30% oil by weight, the cost of biomass for providing a liter of oil would be approximately $1.40 ($5.30/gal) and $1.81 ($6.85/gal) for photobioreactors and raceways, respectively. Oil recovered from the lower cost biomass produced in photobioreactors is estimated to cost $2.80/L, assuming the recovery process contributes 50% to the cost of the final recovered oil.[42] If existing algae projects can achieve biodiesel production price targets of less than $1 per gallon, the United States may realize its goal of replacing up to 20% of transport fuels by 2020 by using environmentally and economically sustainable fuels from algae production.[145]
Whereas technical problems, such as harvesting, are being addressed successfully by the industry, the high up-front investment of algae-to-biofuels facilities is seen by many as a major obstacle to the success of this technology. Only few studies on the economic viability are publicly available, and must often rely on the little data (often only engineering estimates) available in the public domain. Dmitrov[146] examined the Gree
nFuel's photobioreactor and estimated that algae oil would only be competitive at an oil price of $800 per barrel. A study by Alabi et al.[147] examined raceways, photobioreactors and anaerobic fermenters to make biofuels from algae and found that photobioreactors are too expensive to make biofuels. Raceways might be cost-effective in warm climates with very low labor costs, and fermenters may become cost-effective subsequent to significant process improvements. The group found that capital cost, labor cost and operational costs (fertilizer, electricity, etc.) by themselves are too high for algae biofuels to be cost-competitive with conventional fuels. Similar results were found by others,[148][149][150] suggesting that unless new, cheaper ways of harnessing algae for biofuels production are found, their great technical potential may never become economically accessible. Recently, Rodrigo E. Teixeira[151] demonstrated a new reaction and proposed a process for harvesting and extracting raw materials for biofuel and chemical production that requires a fraction of the energy of current methods, while extracting all cell constituents.
Use of Byproducts
Many of the byproducts produced in the processing of microalgae can be used in various applications, many of which have a longer history of production than algal biofuel. Some of the products not used in the production of biofuel include natural dyes and pigments, antioxidants, and other high-value bio-active compounds.[90][152][153] These chemicals and excess biomass have found numerous use in other industries. For example, the dyes and oils have found a place in cosmetics, commonly as thickening and water-binding agents.[154] Discoveries within the pharmaceutical industry include antibiotics and antifungals derived from microalgae, as well as natural health products, which have been growing in popularity over the past few decades. For instance Spirulina contains numerous polyunsaturated fats (Omega 3 and 6), amino acids, and vitamins,[155] as well as pigments that may be beneficial, such as beta-carotene and chlorophyll.[156]Advantages
Ease of growth
One of the main advantages that using microalgae as the feedstock when compared to more traditional crops is that it can be grown much more easily.[157] Algae can be grown in land that would not be considered suitable for the growth of the regularly used crops.[90] In addition to this, wastewater that would normally hinder plant growth has been shown to be very effective in growing algae.[157] Because of this, algae can be grown without taking up arable land that would otherwise be used for producing food crops, and the better resources can be reserved for normal crop production. Microalgae also require fewer resources to grow and little attention is needed, allowing the growth and cultivation of algae to be a very passive process.[90]Impact on food
Many traditional feedstocks for biodiesel, such as corn and palm, are also used as feed for livestock on farms, as well as a valuable source of food for humans. Because of this, using them as biofuel reduces the amount of food available for both, resulting in an increased cost for both the food and the fuel produced. Using algae as a source of biodiesel can alleviate this problem in a number of ways. First, algae is not used as a primary food source for humans, meaning that it can be used solely for fuel and there would be little impact in the food industry.[158] Second, many of the waste-product extracts produced during the processing of algae for biofuel can be used as a sufficient animal feed. This is an effective way to minimize waste and a much cheaper alternative to the more traditional corn- or grain-based feeds.[159]Minimization of waste
Growing algae as a source of biofuel has also been shown to have numerous environmental benefits, and has presented itself as a much more environmentally friendly alternative to current biofuels. For one, it is able to utilize run-off, water contaminated with fertilizers and other nutrients that are a by-product of farming, as its primary source of water and nutrients.[157] Because of this, it prevents this contaminated water from mixing with the lakes and rivers that currently supply our drinking water. In addition to this, the ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates that would normally render the water unsafe actually serve as excellent nutrients for the algae, meaning that fewer resources are needed to grow the algae.[90] Many algae species used in biodiesel production are excellent bio-fixers, meaning they are able to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to use as a form of energy for themselves. Because of this, they have found use in industry as a way to treat flue gases and reduce GHG emissions.[90]Disadvantages
Commercial Viability
Algae biodiesel is still a fairly new technology. Despite the fact that research began over 30 years ago, it was put on hold during the mid-1990s, mainly due to a lack of funding and a relatively low petroleum cost.[35] For the next few years algae biofuels saw little attention; it was not until the gas peak of the early 2000s that it eventually had a revitalization in the search for alternative fuel sources.[35] While the technology exists to harvest and convert algae into a usable source of biodiesel, it still hasn't been implemented into a large enough scale to support the current energy needs. Further research will be required to make the production of algae biofuels more efficient, and at this point it is currently being held back by lobbyists in support of alternative biofuels, like those produced from corn and grain.[35] In 2013, Exxon Mobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson said that after originally committing to spending up to $600 million on development in a joint venture with J. Craig Venter's Synthetic Genomics, algae is "probably further" than "25 years away" from commercial viability,[14] although Solazyme[15] and Sapphire Energy[16] already began small-scale commercial sales in 2012 and 2013, respectively. By 2017, most efforts had been abandoned or changed to other applications, with only a few remaining.[18]Stability
The biodiesel produced from the processing of microalgae differs from other forms of biodiesel in the content of polyunsaturated fats.[157] Polyunsaturated fats are known for their ability to retain fluidity at lower temperatures. While this may seem like an advantage in production during the colder temperatures of the winter, the polyunsaturated fats result in lower stability during regular seasonal temperatures.[158]Research
Current projects
United States
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. This program is involved in the production of renewable energies and energy efficiency. One of its most current divisions is the biomass program which is involved in biomass characterization, biochemical and thermochemical conversion technologies in conjunction with biomass process engineering and analysis. The program aims at producing energy efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies that support rural economies, reduce the nations dependency in oil and improve air quality.[160]At the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution the wastewater from domestic and industrial sources contain rich organic compounds that are being used to accelerate the growth of algae.[40] The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia is exploring microalgal biomass production using industrial wastewater.[161] Algaewheel, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, presented a proposal to build a facility in Cedar Lake, Indiana that uses algae to treat municipal wastewater, using the sludge byproduct to produce biofuel.[162][163] A similar approach is being followed by Algae Systems, a company based in Daphne, Alabama.[164]
Sapphire Energy (San Diego) has produced green crude from algae.
Solazyme (South San Francisco, California) has produced a fuel suitable for powering jet aircraft from algae.[165]
The Marine Research station in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia, has been involved in growing algae for 50 years. The National Research Council (Canada) (NRC) and National Byproducts Program have provided $5 million to fund this project. The aim of the program has been to build a 50 000 litre cultivation pilot plant at the Ketch harbor facility. The station has been involved in assessing how best to grow algae for biofuel and is involved in investigating the utilization of numerous algae species in regions of North America. NRC has joined forces with the United States Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico.[160]
Europe
Universities in the United Kingdom which are working on producing oil from algae include: University of Manchester, University of Sheffield, University of Glasgow, University of Brighton, University of Cambridge, University College London, Imperial College London, Cranfield University and Newcastle University. In Spain, it is also relevant the research carried out by the CSIC´s Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis (Microalgae Biotechnology Group, Seville).[166]The European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) is the European association representing both research and industry in the field of algae technologies, currently with 79 members. The association is headquartered in Florence, Italy. The general objective of the EABA is to promote mutual interchange and cooperation in the field of biomass production and use, including biofuels uses and all other utilisations. It aims at creating, developing and maintaining solidarity and links between its Members and at defending their interests at European and international level. Its main target is to act as a catalyst for fostering synergies among scientists, industrialists and decision makers to promote the development of research, technology and industrial capacities in the field of Algae.
CMCL innovations and the University of Cambridge are carrying out a detailed design study of a C-FAST[167] (Carbon negative Fuels derived from Algal and Solar Technologies) plant. The main objective is to design a pilot plant which can demonstrate production of hydrocarbon fuels (including diesel and gasoline) as sustainable carbon-negative energy carriers and raw materials for the chemical commodity industry. This project will report in June 2013.
Ukraine plans to produce biofuel using a special type of algae.[168]
The European Commission's Algae Cluster Project, funded through the Seventh Framework Programme, is made up of three algae biofuel projects, each looking to design and build a different algae biofuel facility covering 10ha of land. The projects are BIOFAT, All-Gas and InteSusAl.[169]
Since various fuels and chemicals can be produced from algae, it has been suggested to investigate the feasibility of various production processes( conventional extraction/separation, hydrothermal liquefaction, gasification and pyrolysis) for application in an integrated algal biorefinery.[170]
India
Reliance industries in collaboration with Algenol, USA commissioned a pilot project to produce algal bio-oil in the year 2014.[171] Spirulina which is an alga rich in proteins content has been commercially cultivated in India. Algae is used in India for treating the sewage in open/natural oxidation ponds This reduces the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the sewage and also provides algal biomass which can be converted to fuel.[172]Other
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO)[173] is a non-profit organization whose mission is "to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae".The National Algae Association (NAA) is a non-profit organization of algae researchers, algae production companies and the investment community who share the goal of commercializing algae oil as an alternative feedstock for the biofuels markets. The NAA gives its members a forum to efficiently evaluate various algae technologies for potential early stage company opportunities.
Pond Biofuels Inc.[174] in Ontario, Canada has a functioning pilot plant where algae is grown directly off of smokestack emissions from a cement plant, and dried using waste heat.[95] In May 2013, Pond Biofuels announced a partnership with the National Research Council of Canada and Canadian Natural Resources Limited to construct a demonstration-scale algal biorefinery at an oil sands site near Bonnyville, Alberta.[175]
Ocean Nutrition Canada in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada has found a new strain of algae that appears capable of producing oil at a rate 60 times greater than other types of algae being used for the generation of biofuels.[176]
VG Energy, a subsidiary of Viral Genetics Incorporated,[177] claims to have discovered a new method of increasing algal lipid production by disrupting the metabolic pathways that would otherwise divert photosynthetic energy towards carbohydrate production. Using these techniques, the company states that lipid production could be increased several-fold, potentially making algal biofuels cost-competitive with existing fossil fuels.
Algae production from the warm water discharge of a nuclear power plant has been piloted by Patrick C. Kangas at Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Station, owned by Exelon Corporation. This process takes advantage of the relatively high temperature water to sustain algae growth even during winter months.[178]
Companies such as Sapphire Energy and Bio Solar Cells[179] are using genetic engineering to make algae fuel production more efficient. According to Klein Lankhorst of Bio Solar Cells, genetic engineering could vastly improve algae fuel efficiency as algae can be modified to only build short carbon chains instead of long chains of carbohydrates.[180] Sapphire Energy also uses chemically induced mutations to produce algae suitable for use as a crop.[181]
Some commercial interests into large-scale algal-cultivation systems are looking to tie into existing infrastructures, such as cement factories,[95] coal power plants, or sewage treatment facilities. This approach changes wastes into resources to provide the raw materials, CO
2 and nutrients, for the system.[182]
A feasibility study using marine microalgae in a photobioreactor is being done by The International Research Consortium on Continental Margins at the Jacobs University Bremen.[183]
The Department of Environmental Science at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, is working on producing biofuel from a local species of algae.[184]
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering algae has been used to increase lipid production or growth rates. Current research in genetic engineering includes either the introduction or removal of enzymes. In 2007 Oswald et al. introduced a monoterpene synthase from sweet basil into Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a strain of yeast.[185] This particular monoterpene synthase causes the de novo synthesis of large amounts of geraniol, while also secreting it into the medium. Geraniol is a primary component in rose oil, palmarosa oil, and citronella oil as well as essential oils, making it a viable source of triacylglycerides for biodiesel production.[186]The enzyme ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is vital in starch production, but has no connection to lipid synthesis. Removal of this enzyme resulted in the sta6 mutant, which showed increased lipid content. After 18 hours of growth in nitrogen deficient medium the sta6 mutants had on average 17 ng triacylglycerides/1000 cells, compared to 10 ng/1000 cells in WT cells. This increase in lipid production was attributed to reallocation of intracellular resources, as the algae diverted energy from starch production.[187]
In 2013 researchers used a "knock-down" of fat-reducing enzymes (multifunctional lipase/phospholipase/acyltransferase) to increase lipids (oils) without compromising growth. The study also introduced an efficient screening process. Antisense-expressing knockdown strains 1A6 and 1B1 contained 2.4- and 3.3-fold higher lipid content during exponential growth, and 4.1- and 3.2-fold higher lipid content after 40 h of silicon starvation.[188][189]
Funding programs
Numerous Funding programs have been created with aims of promoting the use of Renewable Energy. In Canada, the ecoAgriculture biofuels capital initiative (ecoABC) provides $25 million per project to assist farmers in constructing and expanding a renewable fuel production facility. The program has $186 million set aside for these projects. The sustainable development (SDTC) program has also applied $500 millions over 8 years to assist with the construction of next-generation renewable fuels. In addition, over the last 2 years $10 million has been made available for renewable fuel research and analysis[190]In Europe, the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is the main instrument for funding research. Similarly, the NER 300 is an unofficial, independent portal dedicated to renewable energy and grid integration projects. Another program includes the Horizon 2020 program which will start 1 January, and will bring together the framework program and other EC innovation and research funding into a new integrated funding system[191]
The American NBB's Feedstock Development program is addressing production of algae on the horizon to expand available material for biodiesel in a sustainable manner.[192]
International policies
Canada
Numerous policies have been put in place since the 1975 oil crisis in order to promote the use of Renewable Fuels in the United States, Canada and Europe. In Canada, these included the implementation of excise taxes exempting propane and natural gas which was extended to ethanol made from biomass and methanol in 1992. The federal government also announced their renewable fuels strategy in 2006 which proposed four components: increasing availability of renewable fuels through regulation, supporting the expansion of Canadian production of renewable fuels, assisting farmers to seize new opportunities in this sector and accelerating the commercialization of new technologies. These mandates were quickly followed by the Canadian provinces:BC introduced a 5% ethanol and 5% renewable diesel requirement which was effective by January 2010. It also introduced a low carbon fuel requirement for 2012 to 2020.
Alberta introduced a 5% ethanol and 2% renewable diesel requirement implemented April 2011. The province also introduced a minimum 25% GHG emission reduction requirement for qualifying renewable fuels.
Saskatchewan implemented a 2% renewable diesel requirement in 2009.[193]
Additionally, in 2006, the Canadian Federal Government announced its commitment to using its purchasing power to encourage the biofuel industry. Section three of the 2006 alternative fuels act stated that when it is economically feasible to do so-75% per cent of all federal bodies and crown corporation will be motor vehicles.[190]
The National Research Council of Canada has established research on Algal Carbon Conversion as one of its flagship programs.[194] As part of this program, the NRC made an announcement in May 2013 that they are partnering with Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Pond Biofuels to construct a demonstration-scale algal biorefinery near Bonnyville, Alberta.[175]
United States
Policies in the United States have included a decrease in the subsidies provided by the federal and state governments to the oil industry which have usually included $2.84 billion. This is more than what is actually set aside for the biofuel industry. The measure was discussed at the G20 in Pittsburgh where leaders agreed that "inefficient fossil fuel subsidies encourage wasteful consumption, reduce our energy security, impede investment in clean sources and undermine efforts to deal with the threat of climate change". If this commitment is followed through and subsidies are removed, a fairer market in which algae biofuels can compete will be created. In 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a legislation seeking to give algae-based biofuels parity with cellulose biofuels in federal tax credit programs. The algae-based renewable fuel promotion act (HR 4168) was implemented to give biofuel projects access to a $1.01 per gal production tax credit and 50% bonus depreciation for biofuel plant property. The U.S Government also introduced the domestic Fuel for Enhancing National Security Act implemented in 2011. This policy constitutes an amendment to the Federal property and administrative services act of 1949 and federal defense provisions in order to extend to 15 the number of years that the Department of Defense (DOD) multiyear contract may be entered into the case of the purchase of advanced biofuel. Federal and DOD programs are usually limited to a 5-year period[195]Other
The European Union (EU) has also responded by quadrupling the credits for second-generation algae biofuels which was established as an amendment to the Biofuels and Fuel Quality Directives[191]Companies
With algal biofuel being a relatively new alternative to conventional petroleum products, it leaves numerous opportunities for drastic advances in all aspects of the technology. Producing algae biofuel is not yet a cost-effective replacement for gasoline, but alterations to current methodologies can change this. The two most common targets for advancements are the growth medium (open pond vs. photobioreactor) and methods to remove the intracellular components of the algae. Below are companies that are currently innovating algal biofuel technologies.Algenol Biofuels
Founded in 2006, Algenol Biofuels is a global, industrial biotechnology company that is commercializing its patented algae technology for production of ethanol and other fuels. Based in Southwest Florida, Algenol's patented technology enables the production of the four most important fuels (ethanol, gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel) using proprietary algae, sunlight, carbon dioxide and saltwater for around $1.27 per gallon and at production levels of 8 000 total gallons of liquid fuel per acre per year. Algenol's technology produces high yields and relies on patented photobioreactors and proprietary downstream techniques for low-cost fuel production using carbon dioxide from industrial sources.[196] The company originally intended on producing commercially by 2014, but was set back when Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a bill in 2013 eliminating the state's mandate of a minimum of 10% ethanol in commercial gasoline.[197] This caused Algenol CEO Paul Woods to scrap a plan for a US $500 million plant to produce commercial amounts of algae biofuels and pursue other job sites. Currently, Algenol is a partner of the US Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office, and in 2015 began smaller-scale commercial sales of E15 and E85 ethanol blends to Protec Fuel, a Florida-based fuel distributor.[198]Blue Marble Production
Blue Marble Production is a Seattle-based company that is dedicated to removing algae from algae-infested water. This in turn cleans up the environment and allows this company to produce biofuel. Rather than just focusing on the mass production of algae, this company focuses on what to do with the byproducts. This company recycles almost 100% of its water via reverse osmosis, saving about 26 000 gallons of water every month. This water is then pumped back into their system. The gas produced as a byproduct of algae will also be recycled by being placed into a photobioreactor system that holds multiple strains of algae. Whatever gas remains is then made into pyrolysis oil by thermochemical processes. Not only does this company seek to produce biofuel, but it also wishes to use algae for a variety of other purposes such as fertilizer, food flavoring, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer drugs.[199]Solazyme
Solazyme is one of a handful of companies which is supported by oil companies such as Chevron. Additionally, this company is also backed by Imperium Renewables, Blue Crest Capital Finance, and The Roda Group. Solazyme has developed a way to use up to 80% percent of dry algae as oil.[200] This process requires the algae to grow in a dark fermentation vessel and be fed by carbon substrates within their growth media. The effect is the production of triglycerides that are almost identical to vegetable oil. Solazyme's production method is said to produce more oil than those algae cultivated photosynthetically or made to produce ethanol. Oil refineries can then take this algal oil and turn it into biodiesel, renewable diesel or jet fuels.Part of Solazyme's testing, in collaboration with Maersk Line and the US Navy, placed 30 tons of Soladiesel(RD) algae fuel into the 98,000-tonne, 300-metre container ship Maersk Kalmar. This fuel was used at blends from 7% to 100% in an auxiliary engine on a month-long trip from Bremerhaven, Germany to Pipavav, India in Dec 2011. In Jul 2012, The US Navy used 700 000 gallons of HRD76 biodiesel in three ships of the USS Nimitz "Green Strike Group" during the 2012 RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii. The Nimitz also used 200 000 gallons of HRJ5 jet biofuel. The 50/50 biofuel blends were provided by Solazyme and Dynamic Fuels.[201][202][203]
Sapphire Energy
Sapphire Energy is a leader in the algal biofuel industry backed by the Wellcome Trust, Bill Gates' Cascade Investment, Monsanto, and other large donors.[204] After experimenting with production of various algae fuels beginning in 2007, the company now focuses on producing what it calls "green crude" from algae in open raceway ponds. After receiving more than $100 million in federal funds in 2012, Sapphire built the first commercial demonstration algae fuel facility in New Mexico and has continuously produced biofuel since completion of the facility in that year.[204] In 2013, Sapphire began commercial sales of algal biofuel to Tesoro, making it one of the first companies, along with Solazyme, to sell algae fuel on the market.[16]Diversified Technologies Inc.
Diversified Technologies Inc. has created a patent pending pre-treatment option to reduce costs of oil extraction from algae. This technology, called Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology, is a low cost, low energy process that applies high voltage electric pulses to a slurry of algae.[205] The electric pulses enable the algal cell walls to be ruptured easily, increasing the availability of all cell contents (Lipids, proteins and carbohydrates), allowing the separation into specific components downstream. This alternative method to intracellular extraction has shown the capability to be both integrated in-line as well as scalable into high yield assemblies. The Pulse Electric Field subjects the algae to short, intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation in a treatment chamber, electroporating the cell walls. The formation of holes in the cell wall allows the contents within to flow into the surrounding solution for further separation. PEF technology only requires 1-10 microsecond pulses, enabling a high-throughput approach to algal extraction.Preliminary calculations have shown that utilization of PEF technology would only account for $0.10 per gallon of algae derived biofuel produced. In comparison, conventional drying and solvent-based extractions account for $1.75 per gallon. This inconsistency between costs can be attributed to the fact that algal drying generally accounts for 75% of the extraction process.[206] Although a relatively new technology, PEF has been successfully used in both food decomtamination processes as well as waste water treatments.[207]
Origin Oils Inc.
Origin Oils Inc. has been researching a revolutionary method called the Helix Bioreactor,[208] altering the common closed-loop growth system. This system utilizes low energy lights in a helical pattern, enabling each algal cell to obtain the required amount of light.[209] Sunlight can only penetrate a few inches through algal cells, making light a limiting reagent in open-pond algae farms. Each lighting element in the bioreactor is specially altered to emit specific wavelengths of light, as a full spectrum of light is not beneficial to algae growth. In fact, ultraviolet irradiation is actually detrimental as it inhibits photosynthesis, photoreduction, and the 520 nm light-dark absorbance change of algae.[210]This bioreactor also addresses another key issue in algal cell growth; introducing CO2 and nutrients to the algae without disrupting or over-aerating the algae. Origin Oils Inc. combats this issues through the creation of their Quantum Fracturing technology. This process takes the CO2 and other nutrients, fractures them at extremely high pressures and then deliver the micron sized bubbles to the algae. This allows the nutrients to be delivered at a much lower pressure, maintaining the integrity of the cells.[209]
Proviron
Proviron is a Belgian microalgae company that also operates in the United States. The company has been working on a new type of reactor (using flat plates) which reduces the cost of algae cultivation. At AlgaePARC similar research is being conducted using 4 grow systems (1 open pond system and 3 types of closed systems). According to René Wijffels the current systems do not yet allow algae fuel to be produced competitively. However using new (closed) systems, and by scaling up the production it would be possible to reduce costs by 10X, up to a price of 0,4 € per kg of algae.[211] Currently, Proviron focuses primarily on alternative uses of algae cultures, such as environmentally-conscious plastics, esterification processes, and de-icing processes.[212]Genifuels
Genifuel Corporation has licensed the high temperature/pressure fuel extraction process and has been working with the team at the lab since 2008. The company intends to team with some industrial partners to create a pilot plant using this process to make biofuel in industrial quantities.[105] Genifuel process combines hydrothermal liquefaction with catalytic hydrothermal gasification in reactor running at 350 Degrees Celsius (662 Degrees Fahrenheit) and pressure of 20 684.2719 kPa (3 000 PSI).[213]Qeshm Microalgae Biorefinery Co. (QMAB)
QMAB is an Iran-based biofuels company operating solely on the island of Iranian island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz. QMAB's original pilot plant has been operating since 2009, and has a 25,000 Litre capacity.[214] In 2014, QMAB released BAYA Biofuel, a biofuel deriving from the algae Nannochloropsis, and has since specified that its unique strain is up to 68% lipids by dry weight volume.[214] Development of the farm mainly focuses on 2 phases, production of nutraceutical products and green crude oil to produce biofuel. The main product of their microalgae culture is crude oil, which can be fractioned into the same kinds of fuels and chemical compounds.[215]
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OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL) Agrees to Participate in Pilot Scale Algae Project
By QualityStocks | February 15, 2011 6:40 PM AEST
OriginOil, Inc. has agreed to participate in a pilot scale algae project that the Mexican government will fund. The project will demonstrate industrial algae production. It will pave the way for substantial investment by the Mexican government in large-scale jet fuels production.
Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO, said, “We are excited to support Mexico’s ‘Manhattan Project’ to produce 1% of the nation’s jet fuel from algae in less than five years. By the end of this decade, the project must produce nearly twenty times that amount, propelling Mexico to the front rank of bio-fuel producing nations. We pledge the full dedication of our resources to help make this happen.”
The project operator, Genesis Ventures, based in Ensenada, Baja California, has received a first Economy Ministry grant through The National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) for their first site. Genesis will develop the site as a model for many additional projects to be co-located with large CO2 sources
Ensenada’s Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education (CICESE) will operate the Genesis site. The facility offers a team of top researchers, sophisticated laboratory equipment, and bench-scale algae cultivation infrastructure. Genesis will also invite University of Baja California (UABC) algae researchers to collaborate in the project. Ensenada is an ideal environment for algae growth, with abundant sunlight and access to seawater.
Eduardo Durazo Watanabe, President of Genesis Ventures, said, “We intend to rely heavily on OriginOil’s expertise in feeding and sanitizing algae cultures, and its core harvesting and extraction technology. Through our partner Jose Sanchez, we have a uniquely close association with OriginOil which will enable us to scale up production quickly.”
Mr. Sanchez, in addition to his leadership role at Genesis, is OriginOil’s Vice President of growth and production. He recently helped increase algae production at a research site operated by Australia’s MBD Energy Limited, OriginOil’s first commercial partner.
Prior to joining OriginOil, Mr. Sanchez was General Manager of Aurora Mexico, a then-subsidiary of San Francisco-based Aurora Algae. While there, he launched Aurora’s Mexico-based field operations, built and opened their R&D facilities, managed initial scale-up endeavors, provided information to decision makers to aid in site selection, and carried out negotiations on land acquisition, water rights, and CO2 procurement. Additionally, he introduced landmark Mexican legislation to address the environmental, water management, and land use aspects of algae production systems. He has continued to work with Mexican stakeholders to develop the nation’s strategic algae infrastructure.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. The Company’s technology will produce “new oil” from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process.
For more information visit: www.originoil.com
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MBD ENERGY AND ORIGIN OIL
OriginOil team reports on its recent assignment in Australia, where it installed and operated feeding and extraction systems at partner MBD Energy’s research site. MBD Technical Director Larry Sirmans comments on OriginOil’s success. The team also integrated OriginOil’s processes with complementary vendor systems for a complete algae harvesting process.
Copyright ©2010 AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com.
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OriginOil nears first carbon capture deployment
Published 10:00 AM, 8 Dec 2010
Updated 10:00 AM, 8 Dec 2010
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - US algae biofuel start-up OriginOil is working toward a real-world deployment of its technology to capture carbon emissions with algae, chief executive Riggs Eckelberry said in an interview.
Its first customer, Australia's MBD Energy Ltd, is backed by mining company Anglo American Plc and plans to put OriginOil technology to work to capture flue gases that will feed the algae. The technology is currently in development at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland.
"The polluters, they can't do this stuff," Mr Eckelberry said on the sidelines of a World Algae Congress meeting in San Francisco, adding that carbon emitters prefer that someone else handle it, saying: "'I'll write a check, and you suck up the CO2.'"
He said the many liquefied natural gas projects sprouting up around Australia's coast also represented a massive opportunity, since some energy companies would rather not spend billions of dollars shooting the CO2 underground.
MBD has three major power station projects in Australia, which Mr Eckelberry described as a "boom town" for its technology because the political will to develop it was far stronger than in California, OriginOil's home state. China is also a clear leader, along with Southeast Asia and South Korea.
"California is doing a great job symbolically," Mr Eckelberry said. "But the state has a problem with a lot of oversight, a lot of regulation. It's an expensive place to operate."
OriginOil, which trades on the over-the-counter bulletin board, is among a slew of companies working to replace traditional fossil fuels with fuel made from algae. The Los Angeles-based company expects to generate revenue next year.
The emerging sector has drawn the attention of oil giants Exxon Mobil Corp, Chevron Corp and BP Plc, as well as the US military and investors.
Mr Eckelberry said the military would prove the biggest US government supporter of algae-based fuel, with the Navy testing it on all its vessels and the Air Force putting it in aircraft, driven by concerns about fuel security.
"Not only that, we're going to war for oil," he said. "They've noticed."
OriginOil shares were trading on Tuesday at 15 cents apiece, less than half their 12-month high of 35 cents.
Mr Eckelberry put this down to the extended timeline on the technology's development – speakers at the World Algae Congress meeting said the oil-equivalent cost of algal fuel was $US300 to $US400 per barrel – and he noted OriginOil may not still be a player when it finally takes off.
"We're not depending on the ultimate overtaking of petroleum by algae, which will take 20 years," he said. "We're just injecting technology in an early part of the game and, who knows, maybe in three, four years we'll be absorbed by a Cargill Inc. We'll be out of the picture."
Until then, he sees OriginOil selling or licensing technology into a market where anyone can grow the algae, "but if you want to be profitable and efficient, you have to pay."
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| Algae to Oil - OriginOil gains from Australian Coal fired research |
Algae-to-oil technology is one step closer with Australian company, MBD - the USA's OriginOil's first customer - purchasing equipment for its James Cook University facilities.
USA, Los Angeles based OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, today announced that it recently notified MBD Energy Limited that it is ready to ship a Quantum Fracturing™ System, the first unit in a multi-phase commercialization program. The notification triggers a payment under a purchase order from the Australia-based customer.
'This is a major milestone for OriginOil and represents our first revenue event,' said Riggs Eckelberry, CEO. 'We are excited to support MBD Energy, a leader in the global race to help coal-fired power plants absorb their massive CO2 emissions using algae.'
Recently, OriginOil notified MBD Energy that it is ready to ship a Quantum Fracturing System, designed to maximize algae CO2 absorption with minimal energy, to MBD Energy’s research and development facility at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. The company’s Single-Step Extraction™ System, designed to efficiently separate algae oil from its biomass, will be the next deliverable and will trigger another payment under the purchase order.
USA, Los Angeles based OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, today announced that it recently notified MBD Energy Limited that it is ready to ship a Quantum Fracturing™ System, the first unit in a multi-phase commercialization program. The notification triggers a payment under a purchase order from the Australia-based customer.
'This is a major milestone for OriginOil and represents our first revenue event,' said Riggs Eckelberry, CEO. 'We are excited to support MBD Energy, a leader in the global race to help coal-fired power plants absorb their massive CO2 emissions using algae.'
Recently, OriginOil notified MBD Energy that it is ready to ship a Quantum Fracturing System, designed to maximize algae CO2 absorption with minimal energy, to MBD Energy’s research and development facility at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. The company’s Single-Step Extraction™ System, designed to efficiently separate algae oil from its biomass, will be the next deliverable and will trigger another payment under the purchase order.
In May, the parties agreed on a multi-phase commercialization program under which OriginOil will supply MBD Energy with its algae-to-oil technology platform in progressively larger installations. Subject to the success of the initial test phase, MBD will purchase significantly larger systems to serve its power station projects in Australia, beginning with a one-hectare pilot plant at Tarong Power Station in South Eastern Queensland, and expanding to full production sites at all three of MBD’s power station projects in Australia.
According to MBD Energy, each of its power station projects has the potential to grow to 80-hectare commercial plants, each capable of producing 11 million liters of oil for plastics and transport fuel, and 25,000 tonnes of drought-proof animal feed annually. MBD Energy estimates that the projects will eventually consume more than half of each power station’s flue-gas emissions.
OriginOil’s Quantum Fracturing System breaks down nutrients such as CO2 into micro-particles that stay suspended in water longer, allowing algae to feed more efficiently.
The Single-Step Extraction system is the first commercial 'wet' extraction system, able to separate algae oil from its biomass without costly and energy-intensive dewatering operations.
According to MBD Energy, each of its power station projects has the potential to grow to 80-hectare commercial plants, each capable of producing 11 million liters of oil for plastics and transport fuel, and 25,000 tonnes of drought-proof animal feed annually. MBD Energy estimates that the projects will eventually consume more than half of each power station’s flue-gas emissions.
OriginOil’s Quantum Fracturing System breaks down nutrients such as CO2 into micro-particles that stay suspended in water longer, allowing algae to feed more efficiently.
The Single-Step Extraction system is the first commercial 'wet' extraction system, able to separate algae oil from its biomass without costly and energy-intensive dewatering operations.
About OriginOil, Inc. (web address: http://www.originoil.com/)
OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. Much of the world's oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits. Today, our technology will produce 'new oil' from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global warming effects of petroleum. Other oil producing feedstock such as corn and sugarcane often destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems. Our unique technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing our source of oil without disrupting the environment or food supplies.
About MBD Energy Limited (web address: http://www.mbdenergy.com/)
MBD is an Australia-based public, unlisted technology company. One of the world’s largest mining companies, Anglo American, became a cornerstone investor in MBD in 2009 and Anglo Coal’s Global CEO, Seamus French, has recently joined as a non-executive director of MBD Energy. The MBD Energy Board is chaired by former BHP Chairman, Jerry Ellis. MBD has a joint research and development facility located at James Cook University (JCU), Townsville, Queensland. MBD Energy and its JCU team are regarded as international leaders in the use of captured flue-gases as feedstock to produce algal biomass for Bio-CCS. In addition to the project at Tarong Power Station, MBD Energy currently has two similar projects underway with Loy Yang Power in Victoria and Eraring Energy in New South Wales. MBD Energy is a founding member of the Bio CCS program. The program is made up of a number of regional projects with each targeting 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas sequestration per year by 2020
OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. Much of the world's oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits. Today, our technology will produce 'new oil' from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global warming effects of petroleum. Other oil producing feedstock such as corn and sugarcane often destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems. Our unique technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing our source of oil without disrupting the environment or food supplies.
About MBD Energy Limited (web address: http://www.mbdenergy.com/)
MBD is an Australia-based public, unlisted technology company. One of the world’s largest mining companies, Anglo American, became a cornerstone investor in MBD in 2009 and Anglo Coal’s Global CEO, Seamus French, has recently joined as a non-executive director of MBD Energy. The MBD Energy Board is chaired by former BHP Chairman, Jerry Ellis. MBD has a joint research and development facility located at James Cook University (JCU), Townsville, Queensland. MBD Energy and its JCU team are regarded as international leaders in the use of captured flue-gases as feedstock to produce algal biomass for Bio-CCS. In addition to the project at Tarong Power Station, MBD Energy currently has two similar projects underway with Loy Yang Power in Victoria and Eraring Energy in New South Wales. MBD Energy is a founding member of the Bio CCS program. The program is made up of a number of regional projects with each targeting 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas sequestration per year by 2020
by OriginOil
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OriginOil receives first commercial order for algae system
California-based OriginOil Inc. has received the first commercial order to deploy its algae oil extraction system in an industrial setting. Australia-based MBD Energy Ltd. has committed to purchase an initial OriginOil extraction unit for piloting at Queensland’s Tarong Power Station, a coal-fired power plant.
Photo: OriginOil
California-based OriginOil Inc. has received the first commercial order to deploy its algae oil extraction system in an industrial setting. Australia-based MBD Energy Ltd. has committed to purchase an initial OriginOil extraction unit for piloting at Queensland’s Tarong Power Station, a coal-fired power plant.
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According to OriginOil CEO Riggs Eckelberry, his company delivered a similar system to MBD in 2010 for use at its research facility at James Cook University. “That one was capable of processing five gallons per minute of algae culture,” he said. “This [ne
w] unit has similar capacity.”
MBD is building a one-hectare (2.47-acre) proof-of-concept plant at the Tarong Power Station, Eckelberry said. The project will source carbon dioxide (CO2) from the power plant’s flue gas emissions to aid in algae cultivation.
“The device we have a [purchase order (PO)] for now is what you could call a starter unit,” Eckelberry said. “It’s really to enable testing. As the one-acre site is being built, there will be early construction and testing of the process. This is the first time they are pulling CO2 from a power plant, so this unit will service that early-stage testing of this proof-of-concept site. Later this year, we anticipate getting an order for the full one-hectare system, which will be able to process 300 gallons per minute, so 50 times more capacity and that will serve the entire one-hectare setup.”
The proof-of-concept site will be developed in three stages. Stage one will be completed during the second quarter of 2011, and will include delivery and operation of OriginOil’s starter unit. In the second stage, the full one-hectare site will be built out. The third stage, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011, will include full operational capacity of the one-hectare site. This is anticipated to include the PO for OriginOil’s larger extraction device. Once that device is in place, Eckelberry said the smaller starter unit can then be redeployed at MBD’s next algae production site, likely another power plant.
OriginOil’s extraction technology features three primary elements. Electromagnetic pulsing is used to fracture the algae. The system also uses ultrasound technology in a mixer to release the oils. It is also sometimes necessary to alter the pH of the culture. “The process is extremely variable because we have found that algae strains themselves have tremendous variation and require different sorts of recipes,” Eckelberry said. “The different elements are pH modification, applying ultrasound, and electromagnetic pulsing in various different combinations according to the strain.”
In addition to supplying oil extraction equipment to MBD, OriginOil has also formed a developmental agreement with the company. “The agreement we have is a master agreement under which they protect our intellectual property rights for this technology,” Eckelberry said. “As you can guess, if we go deliver something that’s not been tested in the field, there is a lot to be learned. We want to own the learning from that. So, they agreed that everything related to our technology that’s learned there—even if they learn it—is our property.” The two companies have also agreed to have a series of POs under the agreement pertaining to the scale up of MBD’s three proposed algae production sites, Eckelberry continued. OriginOil has also given MBD a two-year exclusive that began in May. “If we sell anything else in Australia in that period, it will be through them,” Eckelberry said.
MBD intends to scale up algae production projects at three Australian sites. Each site is currently expected to comprise 80 hectares (198 acres) of algae production. MBD has stated that OriginOil is its harvesting extraction partner for all of these projects, which is an “extraordinary vote of confidence for us,” Eckelberry said. If all three sites scale up as planned, Eckelberry estimates the projects could potentially bring his company $100 million in revenue.
“OriginOil’s algae harvesting equipment performed extremely well during preconstruction tests at MBD’s R&D facility at James Cook University,” said Andrew Lawson, managing director of MBD. “We have every confidence that OriginOil’s algae oil extraction technology will meet our high expectations for the next stage."
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Australia: Origin oil completes successful algae from flue gas pilot project
under News December 10th, 2010 by IFandP Newsroom
Origin Oil, an Australian biotechnology company, together with power utility and coal miner MBD Energy have completed a pilot project to grow algae from CO2-rich flue gas from a coal-fired power plant and then convert the resulting biomass to oil and commercially valuable byproducts. The project took place under a licensing agreement under which both companies have shared intellectual property. Origin Oil has developed a one-step separation process, allowing quicker and more cost-effective oil and biomass extraction. As a result of the success of the pilot project, MBD Energy is seeking to add algae production to three of its power plants in Australia. According to the company, each of these projects has the potential to grow to 80 hectares in size, producing 11M litres of oil for plastics and transport fuels, and could capture up to 50% of each power plant’s flue-gas emissions.
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OriginOil’s Algae Oil System to Australia
31 January 2011
OriginOil Inc’s industrial scale algae oil extraction system will be used at one of Australia’s three largest coal fired power plants.
By Renewable Energy Focus staff
MBD Energy will use OriginOil’s algae oil extraction system to support a pilot Bio-CCS (bio-based carbon capture and storage) algal synthesizer at Queensland’s Tarong Power Station.
The algae oil system will use concentrated CO2 emissions to produce oil-rich algae, which again will be used to produce bio-oil and biomass.
"The first extraction system will support early testing at the Tarong site," says Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginOil of California.
"A much larger unit is intended to replace it later this year to process up to 300 gallons per minute (300 gpm) of algae culture for the one-hectare pilot site, at which point the first unit will be deployed at the next power station pilot site, and so on.
"Together, the recently-committed initial unit and the full system for the Tarong proof-of-concept site, if approved, may generate as much as US$1 million in product and service sales for OriginOil."
This article is featured in:
Bioenergy
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January 25, 2011 05:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time
OriginOil Lands First Order for Industrial Scale Algae Oil Extraction System
Owner of three 'CO2 to energy' projects will pilot extraction unit at large coal-fired power plant
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of breakthrough technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, today announced it has received the first commercial order to deploy its algae oil extraction system in an industrial setting.
"OriginOil's algae harvesting equipment performed extremely well during preconstruction tests at MBD's R&D facility at James Cook University," said Managing Director Andrew Lawson, Managing Director of MBD Energy, Ltd.
"We have every confidence that OriginOil's algae oil extraction technology will meet our high expectations for the next stage," Lawson added.
MBD Energy expects OriginOil technology to support a pilot Bio-CCS (Bio-based Carbon Capture and Storage) algal synthesizer system at Queensland's Tarong Power Station.
The proof of concept phase on a one-hectare site, scheduled for later this year, will use concentrated CO2 emissions to produce oil-rich algae in MBD's proprietary growth membranes. OriginOil's unique extraction technology will be used to harvest the algae oil and biomass.
"This first extraction system will support early testing at the Tarong site," said Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginOil. "A much larger unit is intended to replace it later this year to process up to 300 gallons per minute (300 gpm) of algae culture for the one-hectare pilot site, at which point the first unit will be deployed at the next power station pilot site, and so on."
"Together, the recently-committed initial unit and the full system for the Tarong proof-of-concept site, if approved, may generate as much as US$1 million in product and service sales for OriginOil," Eckelberry added.
Subject to successful trials and mutual agreement with its power station partners, MBD said each project at Australia's three largest coal-fired power stations has the potential to grow from an initial one hectare (2.47 acre) proof of concept facility to become fully commercial facilities.
Each facility would then be capable of consuming significant amounts of CO2 and producing commercial quantities of high-value oil suitable for manufacture of transport fuel and plastics.
"We are excited to be building a pilot facility that uses the power station's CO2-laden flue-gas to feed a Bio-CCS (Bio-based Carbon Capture and Storage) algal synthesizer," said Lawson. "We expect this to serve as proof of concept for a larger, second stage facility of up to 80 hectares (197 acres) and possibly a much larger third stage project after that."
MBD estimated that subject to performance at the 80 hectare level and mutual agreements, each Stage 3 full-scale production facility has the potential to grow to 1600 hectares (3,900 acres) and could produce around 300 million liters (over 79 million gallons) of transport (or plastics) oil per year, as well as other valuable commodities, and consume, at full scale, more than half of each power station's CO2 emissions.
"As a world leader in the extraction of algal oil, OriginOil looks forward to working collaboratively with MBD Energy as technology partners on large scale CO2 to energy projects," OriginOil's Eckelberry added.
MBD Energy is regarded as an international leader in technology that securely and efficiently converts captured flue-gas emissions into oil-rich algal biomass.
OriginOil and MBD recently entered into a strategic agreement protecting OriginOil's intellectual property for demonstration projects and granting mutual marketing rights.
OriginOil, Inc. is developing a breakthrough technology that will transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum. Much of the world's oil and gas is made up of ancient algae deposits. Today, our technology will produce "new oil" from algae, through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process. This endless supply of new oil can be used for many products, such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents, without the global warming effects of petroleum. Other oil-producing feedstock, such as corn and sugarcane, often destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems. Our unique technology, based on algae, is targeted at fundamentally changing our source of oil without disrupting the environment or food supplies. To learn more about OriginOil™, please visit our website
Safe Harbor Statement:
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein, and while expected, there is no guarantee that we will attain the aforementioned anticipated developmental milestones. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company.
Abstract
OriginOil lands first order for industrial scale algae oil extraction system, owner of three 'CO2 to energy' projects will pilot extraction unit at large coal-fired power plant
Key Words
algae commercialization, algae oil, algae to oil, ooil, originoil, renewable oil, riggs eckelberry, algae extraction technology, MBD Energy, Bio-based Carbon Capture and Storage, Andrew Lawson, Industrial Scale Algae Oil, Tarong Power Station, flue-gas emissions algae
Contacts
Press Contact OriginOil:
Antenna Group – a Beckerman Company
Josh Seidenfeld
415-977-1953
josh@antennagroup.com
or
OriginOil Investor Relations:
OriginOil, Inc.
Tom Becker
Toll-free: 877-999-OOIL(6645) Ext. 641
International: +1-323-939-6645 Ext. 641
Fax: 323-315-2301
Antenna Group – a Beckerman Company
Josh Seidenfeld
415-977-1953
josh@antennagroup.com
or
OriginOil Investor Relations:
OriginOil, Inc.
Tom Becker
Toll-free: 877-999-OOIL(6645) Ext. 641
International: +1-323-939-6645 Ext. 641
Fax: 323-315-2301
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OriginOil CEO Riggs Eckelberry,
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110125007320/en/OriginOil-Lands-Order-Industrial-Scale-Algae-Oil
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ORIGIN OIL AND ITS ALGAL OIL TECHNOLOGY
Organizational History
The Company was incorporated on June 1, 2007 under the laws of the State of Nevada. We have only been engaged in our current and proposed business operations since June 2007, and to date, we have been primarily involved in research and development activities. Our principal offices are located at 5645 West Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90016. Our telephone number is (323) 939-6645. Our website address is www.originoil.com. Our website and the information contained on our website are not incorporated into this quarterly report.
Overview of Business
The Company is currently developing a technology to produce a bio-product from algae through a cost-effective, high-speed manufacturing process to replace petroleum in various applications such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents. Algae, unlike other bio-feedstocks such as corn and sugarcane, do not destroy vital farmlands and rainforests, disrupt global food supplies and create new environmental problems.
The Company's industrial process, with its patent pending devices and methods, attempts to optimize this environment to help algae cells grow at their natural maximum rate - with a goal of doubling the algae population in as little as a few hours. Our process then goes on to control the harvesting and oil extraction cycles in a high-speed, round-the-clock, streamlined industrial production of algae oil. Instead of waiting hundreds of millions years for algae to become oil, the Company's technology and process strives to transform algae into oil in a matter of days.
The Company's business model is based on licensing this technology to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who will build, install and operate algae production systems in varied applications for bio-fuels, bio-chemicals, and animal feed and human nutritional feedstocks. At this early stage, to prove the devices, the Company must build, sell and support its devices to companies developing such algae production systems. Once it has proved the devices and their underlying technology in a limited number of commercial installations, the Company intends exclusively to integrate and license them to OEMs. The Company is not in the business of producing and marketing oil or fuel, based on algae, as an end product, nor of building machinery for customers to build refining plants.
We have only been engaged in our current and proposed business operations since June 2007, and to date, we have been primarily involved in research and development activities. We are a development stage company and presently, we do not have revenues related to the manufacture of our products. Our auditors have prepared our financial statements assuming that we will continue as a going concern. We have not generated any revenue, and we have negative cash flows from operations, which raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Algae Oil Industry Overview and OriginOil's System
Algae can take many forms, such as seaweed (macro-algae) and kelp. But for oil, we use micro-algae as found in outdoor ponds. Micro-algae is actually a highly efficient biological factory capable of consuming carbon dioxide (CO2), and converting it into a high-density natural oil through photosynthesis.
Much of the world's petroleum is actually made up of algae that decomposed over hundreds of millions of years. But by drilling for, extracting, and burning that oil now, we are releasing the carbon dioxide that was absorbed long ago. This "carbon positive" effect is what causes global warming.
Algae reproduce by cellular division. They divide and divide until they fill the space available to them and have consumed all nutrients in it. In the right environment, fresh algae cells grow and divide exponentially, doubling every few hours, while absorbing all available nutrients, CO2 and light energy.
Operating at the Quantum Level
OriginOil's first patent-pending technology, Quantum Fracturing, is based on the science of mass transfer and fluid fracturing and addresses some of the challenges of industrializing algae oil production.
A quantum is the smallest quantity of some physical property that a system can possess. We use the term to illustrate how we fracture the nutrient delivery environment into very small parts, down to a micron, or a millionth of a meter. Using Quantum Fracturing, water, carbon dioxide and other nutrients are fractured at very high pressure to create a slurry of micron-sized nutrition-bubbles, which is then channeled to the algae culture awaiting it in a lower-pressure growth vessel, the Helix BioReactor�.
This process is designed to achieve total and instantaneous distribution of nutrients to the algae culture without fluid disruption or aeration. The pressure differentials between the two zones substantially increase contact and exchange between the micronized nutrients and the algae culture.
The increased contact between culture and nutrients makes for very high absorption of CO2 and nutrients in the growth phase and most importantly, by increasing the CO2 absorption during this phase, the algae cell should produce a much greater volume of hydrocarbons (oil).
Two Stages of Algae Production
Quantum Fracturing technology is applied to enhance the efficiency of algae production with a goal to make it cost-effective and viable. OriginOil's patent-pending algae oil production system employs Quantum Fracturing in two major stages of algae production:
Growth Stage:
CO2 and nutrients are fractured into a micro-bubble slurry and injected directly into the algae culture for complete contact and nutrient absorption.
Extraction Stage:
Water and special catalysts are fractured at high ultrasonic intensity, using very little energy, to crack the algae membrane to facilitate extracting its oil content.
The Ultimate Algae Growth Environment
The heart of the OriginOil system is the Helix BioReactor�, an advanced algae growth system that is designed to 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 with the intent to create a very efficient, low-cost, low-footprint industrial algae production.
Enabling a Distributed Oil Model
To reach the production levels necessary to realistically replace petroleum as an energy source, an algae oil production system must be fully scalable. The OriginOil System is designed to be both modular and scalable. We have not yet created such an algae oil production system and intend for others, such as OEMs, to build and operate such systems with our embedded technology. While it can function as a stand-alone oil producing system, it is designed to be connected in a stacked or parallel network to produce a large number of barrels per day.
OriginOil's patent pending system design is intended to facilitate large scale algae production through the horizontal and vertical "stacking" of many Helix BioReactors� into an integrated network of fully automated, portable, and remotely monitored growth units.
Further, by the use of such modular design, we anticipate that a large number of Helix BioReactors� or other growth systems can be connected to a small number of extraction units to achieve both economies of scale and full industrialization of algae production. If we achieve our planned results, systems employing OriginOil technology can be transported and placed anywhere in the world to operate as fully integrated, round-the-clock oil-producing plants. By enabling our OEMs to create distributed oil production system for producers, we can help decentralize the oil and energy industry, empowering local energy production in villages, townships, communities, states and countries.
Speeding Up the Process Further
Algae growers already know that algae can expand rapidly if space is available. Once fully matured - and the space is filled - the culture will then stabilize and grow very little. If the space was expanded by a factor of ten, for example, then the algae population would explode to occupy this new volume. This rapid expansion is called the 'log phase,' or 'logarithmic phase,' of growth where cells divide exponentially. Typically, growers incubate an algae population in a smaller vessel and then release it into a larger tank for production, one batch at a time.
OriginOil's Helix BioReactor� growth vessel is designed to add the time-saving efficiency of combining the incubation vessel and larger tanks into one system. Once the algae matures in the Helix BioReactor�, a portion of the culture is transferred out for extraction, and the remaining 'green' water is purified and returned to the growth tank. It is then allowed to re-expand into the Helix BioReactor�, creating a new batch, and the process is repeated.
With this system, we believe that there is no need to re-incubate each batch:
the remaining algae culture is already mature and is ready to re-enter the log phase after each harvest and replenishment of growth environment. We expect that our Cascading Production� design will make it possible continuous daily harvesting of algae without incubation, thereby enabling a vital property of industrialized algae oil production.
the remaining algae culture is already mature and is ready to re-enter the log phase after each harvest and replenishment of growth environment. We expect that our Cascading Production� design will make it possible continuous daily harvesting of algae without incubation, thereby enabling a vital property of industrialized algae oil production.
A Modular Oil Producing System
A system using embedded OriginOil technologies is designed to be modular. It can function as a standalone oil producing system, or can be connected in a parallel network to produce a large number of barrels per day output. Such systems can be placed anywhere to operate as round-the-clock oil-producing plants.
The Company plans to commercialize its technology through an integrated system of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including:
? Engineering Companies
? Country and Regional Partners
? Device and Component Manufacturers
? Service and Maintenance Providers
? Customized Application Developers
? Country and Regional Partners
? Device and Component Manufacturers
? Service and Maintenance Providers
? Customized Application Developers
Petroleum Alternatives Are Our Future
Driven by rising oil prices, the Kyoto protocol and global warming concerns, countries worldwide are quickly embracing petroleum alternatives such as ethanol and biodiesel and now "drop-in fuels" that are identical to petroleum-based fuels, which can curb their dependence on imported oil with minimal infrastructure change. The market for a new oil is proven and expanding rapidly.
OriginOil's breakthrough technology, based on industrializing algae production, is targeted at fundamentally changing the world's source of oil without disrupting the environment or food resources. An endless supply of this new oil can be used in many of products like diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, plastics and solvents without the global warming effects of petroleum.
Benefits of Algae Oil Production
We believe that algae oil production has benefits listed below.
Cleaner to Produce and Burn
Petroleum contains sulfur and other toxins. It is a heavy pollutant. Drilling operations are highly noxious; crude spills on sea and land are natural catastrophes; and refineries produce heavy pollutants. By contrast, the algae production process generates no toxins - it's a lot like growing grass in water without soil.
Can Be Produced Close to Point of Demand
Petroleum often travels tens of thousands of miles to reach its destination. This adds cost and gives suppliers a stranglehold on consumers. Using OriginOil technology-based systems, fuel can now be produced close to the site of usage and demand - virtually eliminating the transport cost of petroleum. In the future, portable OriginOil-based systems may be transported to the point of demand and quickly start producing oil for electricity generation or fuel.
Does Not Compete with Food
The ethanol boom, using corn, is already having an effect on food prices. Fast-rising prices of corn have impacted global food supplies and the commodities markets. Using algae as a feedstock avoids creating shortages in food supplies or markets.
Works with Existing Refineries
Unlike other solutions which bypass the existing refining infrastructure, OriginOil's technology is designed to enable the production of fully compatible fuels, known as "drop-in" biofuels. The petroleum industry has already announced plans to support the refining of biofuels. Of these, we believe algae oil is most like petroleum in structure as it can be readily "cracked" into the lighter components of crude oil such as jet fuel, diesel, gasoline, solvents and plastics.
Works With Existing Gas Stations and Vehicles
Most solutions to the energy problem require massive new infrastructure: hybrids require new cars with complex batteries; hydrogen cars need a new fuel network; and electric cars need their own recharging stations. By contrast, fuel refined from OriginOil-based systems should be able to be seamlessly integrated into the current petroleum distribution system.
Intellectual Property
Since our business is based on licensing of our technology and not manufacturing products or algae itself, it is critical to the Company that it achieves one or more patents. We have filed the following patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:
1. On July 28, 2007, to protect the intellectual property rights for "Algae Growth System for Oil Production". The inventors listed on the patent application are Nicholas Eckelberry and T. Riggs Eckelberry, the Company's founders. The Company is listed as the assignee. We have received an initial determination from the USPTO that this filing is comprised of multiple inventions.
2. On May 23, 2008, to protect the intellectual property rights for "Apparatus And Method For Optimizing Photosynthetic Growth In a Photo Bioreactor". The inventors listed on the patent application are Steven Shigematsu and Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
3. On May 30, 2008, to protect the intellectual property rights for "Modular Portable Photobioreactor System". The inventors listed on the patent application are Steven Shigematsu and Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
4. On January 6, 2009, to protect the intellectual property rights for "Apparatus And Method For Optimizing Photosynthetic Growth In A Photobioreactor". The inventor listed on the patent application is Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
5. On April 17, 2009, to protect the intellectual property rights for "Device and Method for Separation, Cell Lysing and Flocculation of Algae From Water". The inventor listed on the patent application is Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
6. On August 13, 2010, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property rights for "Algae Growth Lighting and Control System". The inventors listed on the patent application are Scott Fraser, Vikram Pattarkine, Ralph Anderson and Nicholas Eckelberry. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
7. On August 13, 2010, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property rights for "Procedure For Extraction Of Lipids From Algae Without Cell Sacrifice". The inventors listed on the patent application are Paul Reep and Michael Green. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
8. On September 30, 2009, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property rights for "Methods and Apparatus for Growing Algae on a Solid Surface". The inventors listed on the patent application are Scott Fraser and Vikram Pattarkine. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
9. On April 28, 2010, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property rights for "Multi-plane Growth Apparatus and Method". The inventor listed on the patent application is Christopher Beaven. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
10. On June 18, 2010, a provisional filing to protect the intellectual property rights for "Bio Energy Reactor". The inventors listed on the patent application is Michael Green. The Company is listed as the assignee. We are still awaiting examination from the USPTO, with respect to this patent application.
Recent Developments
Recently, OriginOil notified MBD Energy Limited ("MBD Energy") that it is ready to ship a Quantum Fracturing� System (QFS), designed to maximize algae CO2 absorption with minimal energy, to MBD Energy's research and development facility at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. The company's Single-Step Extraction� System, designed to efficiently separate algae oil from its biomass, is also scheduled for delivery under a firm Purchase Order of June 1, 2010. We are working with MBD Energy to validate our technology as the Company must build, sell and support its devices to companies developing such algae production systems. The shipment of these products will recognize our first revenue in the fourth quarter.
In May, 2010, we agreed, as part of a multi-phase commercialization program to supply MBD Energy with its algae-to-oil technology platform in progressively larger installations. The first research phase, totaling $108,000, is to be supplied on a one-year lease-to-own basis, with increasing payments to be made quarterly in advance. MBD Energy is obligated to pay a minimum of six months' lease payments. (Future phases may be supplied under different payment terms).
� We have received as of August 2010, the first quarterly payment of $4,500 on account that was due within five business days after notifying MBD Energy of the availability of the QFS product.
� We have received as of September 2010, the first quarterly payment of $9,000 on account that was due within five business days after notifying MBD Energy of the availability of the SSE product.
Subject to the success of the initial research or test phase, MBD Energy will purchase significantly larger systems to serve its power station projects in Australia, beginning with a one-hectare pilot or "display" plant at Tarong Power Station in South Eastern Queensland, and expanding to full production sites at all three of MBD Energy's power station projects in Australia. According to MBD Energy, each of its power station projects has the potential to grow to 80-hectare commercial plants, each capable of producing 11 million liters of oil for plastics and transport fuel, and 25,000 tons of drought-proof animal feed annually. MBD Energy estimates that the projects will eventually consume more than half of each power station's flue-gas emissions.
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Algae: Another Crop for CA’s Central Valley?
Algae is generating interest in California’s Central Valley, where much of the nation’s food is already being produced. This from the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization’s blog:
UC Merced plans to analyze emerging algae biofuels technology and provide feedback on the rather interesting concept of extracting fuel that doesn’t require much land, water or tending. And pond scum grows rapidly in any kind of water. The leftover material, after oil extraction, could be used for fertilizer.“We will consider the efficient use of residual algae biomass as an energy rich waste stream and new harvesting techniques that could improve the sustainability of the overall process,” wrote J. Elliott Campbell and Gerardo Diaz of UC Merced and Joseph M. Norbeck of University of California, Riverside.
The Valley needs clean energy right now because its residents suffer because high levels of airborne particulates contribute to respiratory illness and increased death rates.
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Origin Oil presents at algae conference
By Jerry W. Kram | July 14, 2008
Biodiesel Magazine | biodieselmagazine.com
California-based OriginOil Inc. has received the first commercial order to deploy its algae oil extraction system in an industrial setting. Australia-based MBD Energy Ltd. has committed to purchase an initial OriginOil extraction unit for piloting at Queensland’s Tarong Power Station, a coal-fired power plant.
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Web exclusive posted Aug. 23, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. CST
The future of algae is aglow, if the claims of Origin Oil are correct. The company presented its photobioreactor technology at the National Algae Association Business Plan Forum on July 17 in The Woodlands, Texas.
"We just filed our fifth patent and that signaled our sort of coming out party," said Riggs Eckelberry, president and chief executive officer of Origin Oil Inc. "It was the first time we have discussed our technology in detail and discussed our vision."
Origin Oil's algae production system incorporates several unique innovations. "Algae has always been one of those promising things that is just a few years away," Eckelberry said. "We discovered there are a number of speed bumps in the process that add up to be a show stopper. If you have a problem with every step, it adds up to something that just doesn't work. Our approach was not to think of algae as a crop but as an industrial process."
The company calls the first patented step "quantum fracturing" which creates micronized bubbles to carry carbon dioxide and other nutrients to the algae. Eckelberry said this system is a very efficient way to deliver elements necessary for growth to the algae. "We launched the company with that original patent," Eckelberry said.
The second stage of the process uses the company's Helix Bioreactor. The system differs from most photobioreactors in that it's lit internally by low power LEDs which are tuned to the red and blue frequencies that deliver the most energy to the algae. Eckelberry said these LEDs could be powered by wind, solar or other renewable resources. "We strongly prefer indirect lighting," he said. "We love the sun, but we don't want to have direct sunlight. Algae only consumes a small part of the sun's spectrum, less than 10 percent. Some of the other rays are actually harmful to the algae. We believe that if you can get the right wavelength to the algae cells, then you will have much more efficient growth."
The final step in the process uses the Quantum Fracturing process to harvest the algae. Creating the microscopic bubbles also creates ultrasonic waves and heat. Combining these effects with low power tuned microwaves disrupts the cell wall of the algae, releasing the oil which can then be skimmed off.
The first implementation of the company's technology will be deployed in transport containers which are commonly used in shipping. This will allow Origin's customers to work with the system on a modular basis, adding units as necessary. This setup will be used as the company optimizes the system to the point where it can be implemented on an industrial scale. "The problem with this industry is that everybody wants to do it," Eckelberry said. "We said we will build a standard module that can be used for entry level applications. People can easily get a turnkey algae production system that is stackable, scalable and transportable."
As the applications of the system grow and develop, Origin Oil will license its designs to companies who want to build large scale systems. "After (scaling up to) more than six or seven units, you really want to go to a custom application, more like a brewery," Eckelberry said. "We want to help you build that brewery. It will be more a 'powered by' solution rather than our company building all these facilities."
The National Algae Association was recently formed by Barry Cohen. He deemed the association's quarterly forum a success with more than 250 attendees. "The conference is far beyond my expectations," Cohen said. "We have doubled in size since our last conference. Algae is taking off as a feedstock that doesn't affect the food channel. With the price of feedstocks going up, algae is going be something that will help the biodiesel industry."
Eckelberry agreed with the assessment of the meeting. "I was amazed at the energy of the conference," Eckelberry said. "The corridors were just overwhelmed with people. There was a combination of very smart scientific people and businesspeople, funders and entrepreneurs. It was quite a mix."
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Origin Oil plans to replace petroleum
Origin Oil’s goal is far from ordinary–they’ve set their sights on creating a way to replace petroleum oil altogether.
How? That would be a new process for extracting oil from algae that cleans and uses less water, while creating energy from hydrogen during the process. But their projects are primarily off shore, because the US is not embracing a green economy.
Technology
“You can’t just strain algae out of the water,” says Riggs Eckelberry, President and CEO of OriginOil. “You can use centrifuge, steam, and other energy intensive stuff, which is good when you’re selling for $50/pound, but when you’re trying to beat the price of gasoline, you can’t do it that way.”
Instead, OriginOil’s job is to break apart a 1,000 to 1 water to algae mix into its constituent parts – oil and biomass – in an energy-, water-, and cost-efficient manner.
“Water use is the number one limitation for biofuels today,” explains Eckelberry. But since algae is happy in any water–brackish, waste or ocean–water conservation in not an issue. He went on to say, “We don’t use chemicals to do the reduction so the water goes back into the system.” Because the oil production process helps to purify the water, it’s a great new source for drinkable water.
Not only that, using the power of the sun’s interaction with the algae OriginOil has found a way to harness hydrogen. “The amount of sun that beats on algae is converted very efficiently into the fuel compared to other plants, but it’s still less than 10% of the total sun. There’s additional energy in the system coming from the sun that can be extracted as hydrogen.”
OriginOil
Financing
Financing
So how does a pure technology venture like OriginOil get financing to run their operations? “We have a unique model,” comments Eckelberry. “By finding sponsors to underwrite us and then sponsor a public market for the rest, OriginOil has been able to raise over $6 million since 2007.”
“We were very fortunate during the crash because we were able to find other sources of capital and other investors when the conventional ones went away, whereas those with VC funding saw their valuations cut dramatically. There are severe funding issues in all areas of biofuels and so it’s very good to be able to rely on people like me and you who believe in this.”
But OriginOil is now moving toward more traditional funding models to maintain a sustainable financial base.
OriginOil also anticipates heavy investment on the part of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE). “The government is the strongest investor today in sponsoring advanced biofuels. They’re going all out – they see it as a matter of national security. They’re looking at it as energy independence.”
OriginOil’s Green Economy Outlook
As far as Eckelberry is concerned, the model in other countries is proving more beneficial for clean tech firms like OriginOil.
CEO Riggs Eckelberry
“The rest of the world is moving from subsidy to regulatory basis. In localities like Australia with the highest per capita greenhouse gases in the world, they have a will to mandate to reductions in CO2, so there’s ample carrots and sticks. Australia, China, Japan, most European countries are strongly committed to this angle of, ‘Hey, do something about your CO2!’ That’s going to provide traction for companies like us.”
“The rest of the world is moving from subsidy to regulatory basis. In localities like Australia with the highest per capita greenhouse gases in the world, they have a will to mandate to reductions in CO2, so there’s ample carrots and sticks. Australia, China, Japan, most European countries are strongly committed to this angle of, ‘Hey, do something about your CO2!’ That’s going to provide traction for companies like us.”
Eckelberry feels that the approach in the US is somewhat counterproductive. Though the free market stimulates a great environment for research and development, there’s no support for wide-scale production of clean tech products like algae oil.
“The situation in the US is like a train wreck.” He goes on to say that the US should set standards and get out of the subsidy market. He feels that the US needs an entirely new system that focuses on the demand side, but because there’s a lack of will to do anything about carbon dioxide emissions, nothing is getting done.
As a result, companies like OriginOil are finding bigger markets offshore. “The action is outside the US. We have a thriving project in Australia driven by their mandate to reduce CO2. There’s China and Europe, too. We’re just not doing major projects in the US. The message is very very mixed and people don’t invest on mixed messages.”
Recent Origin Oil Developments
Earlier in January 2011, OriginOil announced that they would be embedding their technology into industrial algae systems, working with original equipment manufacturers to integrate the extraction tech into branded systems.
OriginOil researchers just built a pared-down version of the company’s Hydrogen Harvester™ This is a breakthrough since they learned while making algae they can tap it for producing hydrogen from the power of the sun without using additional energy to capture the hydrogen. The sun beams on the algae and at the same time taking that energy and percolating it out as hydrogen.
In 2010 OriginOil debuted MAX ONE, a mobile algae extraction laboratory, with the intention of educating consumers about the process of extracting oil from algae in a way that’s easy to understand. Click here for the video.
In October 2010 OriginOil announced the company’s first official customer, MBD Energy, one of the leading Carbon Capture and Recycling (CCR) providers in Australia.
In 2009 OriginOil secured several partnership agreements with industry powerhouses such as a global partnership agreement with Desmet Ballestra – the largest fats and oil producer in the world – as their first partner.
By Maryruth Belsey Priebe
Senior Editor
Algae image by Zudark
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Thank you for visting the Digest.
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SCIPIO Biofuels – A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
SCIPIO Biofuels – A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
SCIPIO Biofuels, Inc.
OUR COMPANY
Scipio Biofuels Inc. is a privately owned corporation founded in 2008, registered in California, and headquartered in Orange County CA.
Learn more about SCIPIO Biofuels
OUR COMPANY HISTORY
The seeds of Scipio Biofuels Inc were planted in 2002 at Lake Elsinore in Southern California. As the Project Engineer for Phycotronics, Matt Snyder worked to create a comprehensive system to bioremediate the polluted and eutrophic lake, in part using a PBR to clean the water of excess nutrients. Growing the algae was the easy part. Removing the algae completely was not possible then but can be accomplished now with current technology. In addition to the system, Matt developed the studies and testing methodology for determining the effectiveness of the bioremediation system, experimental techniques, and equipment.
With the resurgence of the biofuel industry and the emergence of algae as an outstanding source of oil for conversion, Matt realized that the original design was potentially a foundation for a large-scale industrial algae cultivation system. Teaming up with Fran Wells in April 2008, Matt used the concepts from the original system as a starting point and began redesigning the system specifically for the purpose of cultivating massive yields of the key algae species that could be refined into fuels economically and renewably.
Scipio Biofuels was founded in August 2008 and our provisional patent was filed a month later. Using our own financial resources, supplemented in March 2009 with seed funding from stockholders Peter and Sylvia Girgis, our cost-effective comprehensive continuous flow system for cultivating algae is ready to make the jump from operational prototype to full scale commercial development.
OUR MANAGEMENT
Founder, Owner, and Scipio President Matt Snyder has a long history of finding simple solutions to complicated technical problems. From developing test protocols for a malfunctioning medical device to working as an R&D technician on the Airbus fuel tank inerting system, Matt has been examining highly complex systems, designing and testing more effective configurations, and achieving improved results for medical and aerospace companies like B. Braun Pharmaceuticals and Parker Aerospace for over fifteen years. With our primary system design ready for full-scale development, Matt has already started design and cost analysis of our next generation solar collector planned for operational testing during the construction of our first facility. Matt's innate ability to synthesize his knowledge of physics with the practical concerns of design, manufacturing, and cost containment is the heart of Scipio's technical achievement. Matt has redefined the algae farm into an algae factory capable of continuous high speed, high volume flow from introducing algae to the system thru storage of the resulting oils and cake.
After graduating from UCLA, Co-Owner and Scipio Vice President Fran Wells joined Hughes Aircraft Company to learn the business of manufacturing and repairing radar systems. Crediting Hughes with providing the finest practical education in Logistics and system life cycles available, Fran has worked in aerospace for twenty-four years focusing on supply chain management, configuration control, repair operations, material acquisitions, production control, lean manufacturing, purchasing, and contracts as both a specialist and manager. Fran has extensive training and experience with ISO 9001 and AS9100-B as well as SEA, a training and certification program developed by major aerospace companies for their suppliers. From pulling permits and doing bookkeeping for her father´s plumbing company, to Hughes Aircraft, Parker Aerospace, and Western Methods Machinery Corp, Fran has developed a broad range of talents and experience to bring to fruition in Scipio Biofuels.
CONTACT US:
Via email:
For general inquiries please write to: Info@scipiobiofuels.com
To contact the SCIPIO management, please write to: contact@scipiobiofuels.com
For media inquiries, please write to: media@scipiobiofuels.com
Our Vision
Our vision for the company is to become a pre-eminent supplier of algae oils and algae-based biofuels in the country within the next five years. We are ambitious and driven to become recognized not only for our low cost, high oil yield and purity, but also for the ethical nature of our company's relationships with our Customers, suppliers, employees, and the communities in which we operate our facilities.
The current generation of biofuel companies and their suppliers has the opportunity to redefine executive and corporate conduct within a young, dynamic and growing industry. At Scipio, we intend to show that a company can achieve greater profitability in this new industry due to operating under the highest standards of corporate behavior. This new standard includes reasonable executive compensation, scrupulous ethics in all business practices, and enhanced compensation for line employees.
LICENSING
We welcome offers to license our systems for commercial use within the United States by operators where the application is consistent with our company vision and our need to protect our intellectual property.
Contact our Executive Office for details.
From the very beginning, as we developed our company and technology, our motto has been "Go Big or Go Home." With that idea, we have developed the comprehensive, continuous flow technology required to cultivate algae on a large commercial scale for its oil and cellulose.
The fundamental technologies of algae cultivation have been proven in the lab and in the field. The only impediment to a major full scale facility has been the lack of low cost, efficient harvesters that could operate continuously and selectively divert the most oil-saturated algae for processing. Scipio Biofuels has five harvester designs that allow our systems to operate as "factories," selectively harvesting and processing the algae as fast as the solar collector can grow it.
While our primary long term focus is the production of biofuels for the domestic market, our company plans to use our family of core technologies for bioremediation, permanent carbon sequestration, and reducing atmospheric particulates.
OUR CUSTOMERS
Biofuel Refineries: We plan to build company-owned facilities for high volume production of mono-species algae oils for industrial refineries; these refiners will, in turn, convert the oils to biofuels for the transportation industry.
Decentralized Demand: We plan to build smaller scale company-owned facilities to produce algae oils and convert the oils onsite to biofuels for a targeted market. Examples would be a plant to support the fuel requirements of a rural community, an airport, or a larger trucking company.
Military Bases: At Scipio, we consider it a priviledge and a duty to support our armed services. As our country mandates conversion to renewable fuels within the military services, we seek to partner with the DOD to build scaled on-base facilities to produce a variety of algae oils and convert them to the biofuels needed to support that base fully.
Licensees: We welcome offers to license our systems for commercial use within the United States by operators where the application is consistent with our company vision and our need to protect our intellectual property.
Retail: Our system and components were designed for company-owned or licensed facilities and are not available for sale. A complete "Family Size" system is currently in the very early stages of the development process.
OUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The foundation of our company is the excellence of our technology which allows us to operate as a continuous flow algae oil "factory." Scipio Biofuels is the only company in the algae-to-biofuel industry that has a comprehensive system for the continuous high volume production of algae oil, from the solar collector thru the algae press. From start to finish, there are no queues or batch processing. We can process the algae as fast as our solar collector can grow it. In addition to this capability, our system has multiple proprietary features to maximize growth of the algae circulating in the solar collector.
While our system was designed to set the standard for optimal growth and yield, it was also designed for cost containment in construction and operation. From our choice of materials and suppliers, to our choice of facility location, and our operations management philosophy, our approach has been to grow as much as possible at the lowest cost possible - while staying true to our vision of the kind of company we want to be and the role we see for ourselves in the biofuel industry.
OUR STRENGTHS
In order to accomplish these results, you have to start with the basics Scipio possesses:
The technology to cultivate algae under optimal conditions that will obtain the maximum growth rate;
The ability to apply world class manufacturing principals to every aspect of the operation for cost containment, from the procurement of raw materials, thru the fabrication of the equipment and construction of facilities; and ultimately
The ability to ensure customer satisfaction by delivering a consistently high quality product in the right volume at the right time as a reliable segment of an integrated supply chain to the final consumer.
We have devised safe, energy efficient ways to make bio-jet fuel, biodiesel, and bio-gasoline at or very near their point of use. Decentralized production of finished fuels is attainable virtually anywhere a few key renewable resources are available. Because the fuel requirements of a given community vary with the seasons, we can provide the specific fuels needed in a given region at any time of year.
SCIPIO ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Established the Scipio Code of Ethics for our participation in the biofuels industry intended to be an example of how simple, inexpensive and profitable it can be to affect positive changes in the environment while creating potential jobs.
Designed multiple continuous, size selective algae harvesters that operate without the use of consumables such as filters or require recurring human attendance.
Designed a second system pump that can also serve as a CO2 infusion device. All of Scipio's algae pumps and CO2 infusers are incapable of scarring the algae culture due to the design considerations of each model.
Designed scalable, sealed PBR systems with internal temperature controls capable of supporting algae growth specifically for regions subject to extremes in temperature, humidity, and photoperiod that have precluded the idea of algae based renewable fuels in the past.
Partnered with a pre-eminent nutrient expert to develop the most economically and biologically efficient nutrient and growth formulae and strategies.
Filed Provisional Patent application submission for appropriate aspects of the technology/process.
Received investor equity funding for prototype manufacturing and completion of sourcing.
Partnered with Georg Fischer Incorporated and Harvel Plastics to test multiple materials in identical PBR designs.
Partnered with Wayne-Earl Manufacturing Incorporated of Placentia CA for technical assistance with building prototype PBRs and harvesters.
Partnered with Harrington Plastics of Anaheim CA for technical assistance with materials, fittings, and component selection.
Meet Our Officers
Scipio President
Matt Snyder
has a long history of finding simple solutions to complicated technical problems. Matt´s innate ability to synthesize his knowledge of physics with the practical concerns of design, manufacturing, and cost containment is the heart of Scipio's technical achievement. Matt has redefined the algae farm.
Scipio Vice President
Fran Wells
has a broad range of talents and experience to bring to fruition Scipio Biofuels. Her extensive experience in logistics and system life cycles in supply chain management, operations, material acquisitions, production control, and contracts has contributed to the success of Scipio Biofuels.
SCIPIO Biofuels
SYSTEMS
An algae cultivation or biofuel production facility should be designed to take advantage of its physical location and improve the local communities it serves. Our cultivation system is actually a variety of arrays and components that are intended to be custom packaged to suit the site, the climate, and available resources.
Solar Collector:
At Scipio, we use sealed tubes with continuous flow, designed for outdoor operation in a variety of climates. We have designed multiple arrays and can configure our solar collector for use at airports, transportation hubs, farms, or empty desert. Each of our solar collectors includes chemical monitoring, temperature control, light control, and are designed for rapid, modular installation.
Feed stocks:
Florigen Laboratories has custom formulated and "species optimized" feed stocks for Scipio Biofuels. Scipio systems reach their fullest potential for high yield of lipids and healthy robust algae cultures using their products.
Pumps:
Some of our solar collector arrays use one of two patent-pending pumps that are highly efficient, consume little power, and do not damage or scar the algae culture. Our latest generation of solar collector does not require a pump at all.
Harvesters:
Our patent-pending continuous flow harvesters are the best in the business. They select and divert only the most oil-saturated algae from the culture.
SCIPIO Biofuels
PARTNERSHIPS :
We have developed valued partnerships and relationships as we have developed our systems. Below are some of the companies and individuals who have generously offered their expertise and assistance to help us. For all their assistance to us in the past and in the future, we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
Harvel Plastics Inc.
Georg Fischer
Specialized Piping Systems
Barry Cohen and the National Algae Association
Steve Berlow and Florigen Laboratories Inc.
Harrington Plastics Inc.
Wayne-Earl Manufacturing Co.
Twachtmann Industries
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How biofuels could power SA’s future
Jamie Seidel, The Advertiser
December 1, 2015 9:00pm
TEQUILA-fuelled fighter jets. Turbines powered by wine. It’s a new twist on the concept of “drink driving” — but is this a new industry that will drive South Australia into the future?
It’s an idea that provides answers for a three-pronged problem: Secure fuel supplies. The carbon imbalance in our atmosphere. A state economy struggling for direction and innovation.
Advances in biofuel technology — where energy-rich combustible fuels are made from plants — are rapidly approaching the point where it becomes economically viable.
Ethanol. Biodiesel. Biocoal. Biogas.
They’re already ecologically desirable.
And they can be fed direct to existing fuel tanks and furnaces.
But there is a problem. Critical mass.
It takes much more than tequila juice to drive a state-scale economy.
And no, it doesn’t involve emptying bottles of Penfolds into your fuel tanks. But it does make use of the discarded crushed grapes and vine clippings.
ENERGETIC AMBITION
South Australia has several aces up its sleeve.
Wheat. Barley. Citrus. Vines. Wood pulp.
All involve massive local businesses which produce organic waste.
All can contribute to stoking the fires of a new industry.
All would benefit from a new income stream through selling previously unwanted or low-value waste.
“There’s so much waste organic material in the world, we really should put it to use,” says Associate Professor Rachel Burton of the University of Adelaide’s School of Agriculture, Food and Wine.
No longer would we be reliant on enormous tankers travelling from Asia and the Middle East.
Locals would be fuelling locals. And SA could be at the heart of it.
It’s an industry that would benefit the climate.
“It also means you can mitigate climate change as you’re using fuel sources that can make your fuel carbon-neutral,” Associate Professor Burton says. “You’re not releasing fossilised carbon buried millions and millions of years ago. You’re fixing new carbon in plants and then releasing it in a sustainable cycle.”
But there remains the hurdle of raw economics.
You need to get more out of any process than you put in.
Such a large-scale new industry needs a diverse network of suppliers to come together in one central stream. Only this could guarantee the consistency of supply needed to drive a large-scale industry.
That’s where government comes in.
And it’s not as though this hasn’t been done before.
Notice the rusting rail networks when you drive the countryside? See all those huge white silos in country towns?
They were built to provide the freight superhighway and processing chain needed to make the wheat and barley industries efficient.
“The beauty of it is we can set up a new industry from existing infrastructure,” says Professor Gus Nathan of the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Energy Technology. “And the product is a drop-in fuel — something we can use in what we already have.”
So where is the potential? What are the hurdles?
SUPERCHARGING WASTE
Adelaide Uni infographic
Around Australia, several hundred thousand tonnes of winemaking leftovers — called grape marc — piles up as waste.
This is usually disposed of at a cost to the wineries.
It includes grape skins, stalks, seeds and vine pruning offcuts.
These cast-offs, while not as rich as the wine-producing juices themselves, remain full of useful carbohydrates.
This can be fermented into biofuel.
The challenge is to make yields worth the effort.
Currently, one tonne of grape marc can produce about 270 litres of ethanol.
Discarded agricultural plant matter can be difficult to convert because of the recalcitrant structural complexity of cells in stalks, branches and leaves.
But new University of Adelaide research has almost doubled this yield — via pre-treatment with acids and enzymes — to up to 400 litres per tonne.
Even the waste of this process remains useful.
It can be turned into fish and animal feed pellets, freeing up valuable wheat and barley for human consumption.
Some can become compounds used in paints and varnishes. It can even be used to produce vanilla.
But it applies to many more crops than just grapes.
In South Australia this means castoffs from the grain, bean and pea crops.
Then there is sawdust, old fish and chip oil … and so much more.
Put together, it’s called biomass.
Biomass which can feed reactors — and produce fuel.
“That industry doesn’t exist at the moment,” Associate Professor Burton says.
“But the thing we need to start thinking about now is a lifecycle analysis to work out how much inputs cost, versus how much output profits you would make — and whether that would balance out in our favour.”
While the leftovers of the existing agricultural industry may provide a strong foundation for a state-based biofuels industry, it’s still not enough.
Nor is it the most efficient. Most of the carbohydrates have already been removed for the production of wine and food grains.
But there are supplementary alternatives.
And these offer a rare opportunity.
A biofuel industry could itself drive the production of whole new range of crops.
And these do not have to compete with vital food harvests like grains and pulses.
EXPLOSIVE GROWTH
South Australia has broad expanses of arid land which are marginal or unviable when it comes to conventional agriculture.
But it is ideal for dedicated biofuel crops.
Agave. This is a Mexican desert cactus which — once its juices are fermented — already makes an impact on the world as tequila.
Sorghum. This heat-tolerant grass has long been the world’s fifth most important cereal crop. It can also produce rich syrup.
Algae. It needs sun. It can use salty water. Put together in the right mix, algae’s growth can be almost explosive.
All thrive where wheat and barley do not.
All offer SA the basis of a whole new agricultural industry: Feeding carbohydrate-rich plant matter into facilities from which fuels can be extracted.
Agave trials are already underway in SA. AusAgave is testing six varieties that have been imported as test crops from Mexico. Studies are under way to find out which are the fastest-growing, easiest-processed types under our climate.
It could become part a new Outback industry to replace evaporating mining jobs and increasingly heat-stressed conventional crops.
STATE-BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE
Nuclear reactors are not the only potential salve for SA’s struggling economy.
The same can be said of plant-matter reactors.
Instead of directly producing electricity, these processing plants can convert carbon-consuming plants into liquid biofuels, biogas, biocoal — or even crude oil.
Muradel — a cooperative effort between the University of Adelaide, Murdoch University and the majority shareholder SQC Pty Ltd - has an experimental reactor near Whyalla.
It’s called hydrothermal liquefaction. What it does is compress into a few hours what nature does to dead plants over millions of years.
It takes finely ground plant matter. It adds high pressure and extremely hot water.
It produces crude oil.
The only difference from real black gold is that this one is deep green.
It can be processed and refined into everything from petrol to plastic — just like the real thing.
Another process, Professor Nathan says, could involve an adaptation of an innovation driven by Germany’s desperation during World War II: Turning coal into liquid fuel.
“The Fischer Tropsch process is commercially available at large scale,” he says. “It’s not exactly what we need. But it’s a hell of a long way down the track. We’re wanting to adapt this system to the next generation of technologies which would use biomass.”
In our case it would turn biocoal or plant stock into synthetic gas. This, in turn, can be converted into synthetic diesel and petrol.
“The analysis we’ve done definitely suggests these fuels can be made at costs below a dollar a litre,” Professor Nathan says. “But these numbers are still loose.”
Introducing solar at any point of this production process can only improve the value — and carbon footprint — of the end product, Professor Nathan says.
FUELLING THE FUTURE
The major advantage of most biofuels is that they can readily be integrated into infrastructure already around us. Cars. Trucks. Generators. Gas furnaces.
But, ultimately, it’s an industry that thrives through all elements being local.
Once significant supplies of organic feed stock have been identified, the pressing issue remains.
How to get useful biomass of all kinds to a refinery before the cost of transport overwhelms the profit margins and carbon savings it can produce?
Waste biomass has a relatively low energy level per kilogram. Dedicated crops — such as algae or agave — are better, but also limited.
Planning. Investment. Resolve.
There is no one solution to processing biofuels. And which process ends up being the most cost-effective remains uncertain.
“We’re academics,” Associate Professor Burton says. “What we really need is to be supported by government to build a demonstration plant, or we would need industry to come to us and say ‘we’re really keen on doing this’ to make this start to happen.”
What South Australia would get out of it is a whole new industry — built from and for the existing economy.
“These things don’t happen overnight,” Professor Nathan says. “But if the state and nation are prepared to invest in it, it will accelerate development.
“If we get a critical mass of belief that there is potential in this for the state, we can be a real world leader in this arena.”
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4026879/
Click on#27 to see Table
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Algae Oil: A Sustainable Renewable Fuel of Future
Click on#27 to see Table
Regional cultivation of microalgae and producing biofuels will ensure economic benefits to rural communities [42]. Figure 1 differentiates algae based on the species and their size range (few micrometers (μm) to a few hundreds of micrometers), as macroalgae and microalgae are used in the production of biodiesel.
Classified Algae used for biodiesel production.
4. Advantages of Algal Fuel over Other Sources
4.1. Easy Growth Rate
One
of the most important advantages of using algae as the source is that
it can be grown very easily. Wastewater which normally hinders plant
growth is very effective in growing algae. The growth rate of algae is
20–30 times faster than other conventional crops like Jatropha [43]. A diagram of the advantages of algal fuel is presented in Figure 2.
4.2. Food Impact
Many
outmoded feedstocks for biodiesel, such as corn and palm, can also be
used as feed for livestock on farms, as well as reliable source of food
for humans. Because of this, using them as biofuel decreases the amount
of food available for both, and this causes an increased expense for
both the food and the fuel produced. By using algae as a source of
biodiesel can make this issue in a number of ways. First, algae are not
used as a primary food source for humans, meaning that it can be used
distinctly for fuel and there would be less impact on the food industry [44].
Second, many of the waste-product sources produced during the
processing of algae for biofuel can be used as an efficient animal feed.
This is an efficient way to minimize waste and a much cheaper remedy to
the more traditional corn or grain based feeds [45].
4.3. Waste Minimization
Growing algae have been shown to have various environmental benefits, proved to be the environmental friendly biofuel [43, 45].
Because of this, it ensures that contaminated water does not mix with
the lakes and rivers that presently supply our drinking water. In
addition to this, the ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates that would
generally render the water unsafe actually serve as excellent nutrients
for the algae [48].
5. Production
5.1. Algae Cultivation
Algae are typically found growing in ponds, waterways, or other wetlands which receive sunlight and CO2.
Growth varies on many factors and can be enhanced for temperature,
sunlight utilization, pH control, fluid mechanics, and more [49, 50].
Man-made production of algae tends to replicate the natural
environments to achieve ideal growth conditions. Algae production
systems can be organized into two distinct categories: open ponds and
closed photo bioreactors. Open ponds are simple expanses of water sunken
into the ground with some mechanism to deliver CO2 and
nutrients with paddle wheels to mix with the algal broth. Closed photo
bioreactors are a broad category referring to systems that are bounded
and which allow more precise control over growth conditions and resource
management.
5.2. Algae Biofilm
Biofilm
formed by algae can be harvested easily using unit operations like
filtering, scraping, size reduction, and drying. Photoreactors are used
to produce high quality algae in either sessile from or mainly biofilm
(attached form). Attached algae have produced more oil than planktonic
form. The reason for high lipid content is due to alteration in the
lipid metabolic pathway of attached algae resulting in change in the
membrane fluidity of algae to make them attached to a substratum. For
small-scale as well as large-scale production, the photoreactors are
used wherein natural or synthetic light can be used to grow algae.
5.3. Algae Harvesting and Oil Extraction
Production
of oil from algae is a straightforward process that consisted of
growing the algae by providing necessary inputs for photosynthesis,
harvesting, dewatering, and oil extraction. Energy in the form of
photons is absorbed by the algae cells, which convert the inorganic
compounds of CO2 and water into sugars and oxygen. The sugars
are eventually converted into complex carbohydrates, starches,
proteins, and lipids within the algae cells. In order to extract the
valuable lipids, a series of steps must be undertaken to isolate the
algae cells and oil.
A diagram of the overall growth and harvesting process is presented in Figure 3.
The traditional process begins by separating the algae biomass from the
water broth in the dewatering* stage using centrifuges, filtration, or
flocculation techniques. Centrifuges collect biomass by spinning the
algae-water broth so that water is flung away from the algae cells.
Flocculation involves precipitating algae cells out of solution so that
they can be concentrated and removed easily. Once the algae cells have
been collected the oil must be removed from the cells. The oil can then
be processed into biodiesel, jet fuel, ethanol, synthetic fuels, or
other chemicals. Figure 4
explains the overall microalga biomass transformation processes for biofuel production.
.
*Liquefaction (Dewatering). High content of water often exists
in microalgae after harvesting which requires a great deal of energy to
remove moisture in the algal cells in the period of pretreatment.
Liquefaction has been developed to produce biofuel directly without the
need of drying microalgae. Moreover, wet microalgae can provide hydrogen
for hydrogenolysis [51].
5.4. Transesterification
Biodiesel
is commonly produced by the transesterification of the vegetable oil,
animal fat, or algal feedstock. There are several methods for carrying
out this transesterification reaction including the collective batch
process, supercritical processes, ultrasonic methods, and even microwave
methods.
Chemically, transesterified biodiesel
comprises a mix of mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids. The most
conjoint form uses methanol (converted to sodium methoxide) to produce
methyl esters (commonly referred to as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME))
as it is the cheapest alcohol available; though ethanol can be used to
form an ethyl ester (commonly referred to as fatty acid ethyl ester
(FAEE)), biodiesel and higher alcohols such as isopropanol and butanol
have also been used. Using alcohols of higher molecular weights improves
the cold flow properties of the resulting ester, at the cost of a less
efficient transesterification reaction. A lipid transesterification
production process converts the base oil to the desired esters. Any free
fatty acids (FFAs) in the base oil are either converted to soap or
removed from the process, or they are esterified (yielding more
biodiesel) using an acidic catalyst. After this processing, biodiesel
has combustion properties very similar to those of petroleum diesel and
can replace it in most present uses.
The
methanol used in most biodiesel production processes is made by fossil
fuel inputs. However, there are sources of renewable methanol
synthesized using carbon dioxide or biomass as feedstock, making their
production processes free of fossil fuels [52].
6. Conclusion
As
justified here, microalgal biodiesel is technically feasible. It is the
only renewable biodiesel that can potentially and methodically displace
liquid fuels obtained from petroleum. Economics of producing microalgal
biodiesel need to improvise substantially to make it competitive with
petro diesel, but the level of improvement necessary appears to be
possible. Producing low-cost microalgal biodiesel requires primarily
improvements to algal biology through genetic and metabolic engineering.
Use of the biorefinery concept and advances in photobioreactor
engineering will further reduce the cost of production. In view of their
much greater productivity than raceways, tubular photobioreactors are
likely to be used in producing most of the microalgal biomass required
for making biodiesel. Algae biofilm grown in photobioreactors provide a
controlled environment that can be tailored to the specific demands of
highly productive microalgae to attain a consistently good annual yield
of oil.
Acknowledgments
This
study is supported financially by the Science & Engineering
Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi,
India, by funding the Project “Differential membrane lipid profile and
fluidity of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans during the process
of adhesion to minerals” (D.O no. SR/S3/ME/0025/2010). This funded
project has enabled the corresponding author to study the bacterial
Biofilm formation, which enabled him to understand the structural
integrity of cell membrane of prokaryotes and eukaryotes that is algal
biofilm with respect to lipid content.
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
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Abstract
Biochar
is a potential tool in our fight against climate change, driven by its
high carbon stability and supported by its roles in bioenergy and soil
fertility. We consider methodology aspects of biochar systems used for
carbon management and investigate the criteria for establishing
additionality, baselines, permanence, leakage, system drivers,
measurement, verification, economics and development for successful
stand-alone projects and carbon offsets. We find that explicitly
designing a biochar system around ‘true wastes’ as feedstocks combined
with safe system drivers could minimize unwanted land-use impacts and
leakage. Applying baselines of biomass decomposition rather than total
soil carbon is effective and supports a longer crediting period than is
currently standard. With biochar production introduced into bioenergy
systems, under a renewable biomass scenario, the change in emissions
increases with higher fuel use, instead of decreasing. Biochars may have
mean residence times of over 1000 years, but can be accounted for more
effectively using a recalcitrant and labile fraction.
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