Oilgae Blog - The Latest from the World of Algae Fuels
Ternion Bio selects Harvel's Unique UV Resistant Tubing to Build Algae Photobioreactors
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Ternion Bio Industries has selected EnviroKing™, a unique UV resistant clear PVC piping by Harvel® Plastics, Inc., as a key component in the manufacturer of its distinct, patent-pending photobioreactor system.
Ternion Bio's advanced photobioreactor technology captures carbon dioxide emissions and processes them to serve as the catalyst for the growth of algae, which then becomes the raw material for a wide range of beneficial products.
"EnviroKing UV ThinWall 4-inch pipe provided an additional 11 percent better growth environment than any other pipe we tested," says Chris Schuring, Ternion Bio's chief operations officer. "In the ability to be used as a scalable product, we feel it has no issue that would make the product unavailable for scaled systems. EnviroKing is the standard by which we will measure all others, and we look to use this pipe in all of our scaled Photo BioReactors."
Source: PRWEB
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Green Plains Renewable Energy and BioProcessAlgae to Unveil Phase I Algae Project in Shenandoah, Iowa - Governor Chet Culver to Attend
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Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. announces the unveiling of BioProcessAlgae, LLC's Phase I photobioreactor pilot project. Green Plains is hosting the event at its Shenandoah, Iowa ethanol plant on October 14, 2009 in conjunction with the Iowa Power Fund Board meeting. BioProcessAlgae has completed the installation of Phase I of the multi-phase pilot project and algae production has commenced at the plant. The Company's research team will begin to collect production data over the next 120 days from the pilot project that will be instrumental in determining the scalability and functionality for future commercial deployment.
"We have directly linked the carbon dioxide (CO2) from the plant into our algae producing Grower Harvester(TM) technology and we believe this to be the first ever deployment of this type in the United States," stated Tim Burns, Chief Executive Officer of BioProcessAlgae, LLC. "The objective of this multi-phase pilot project is to gather critical data to determine the scalability of our Grower Harvester technology as we look to commercialize it in the future. Our focus is to perfect the growing and harvesting of algae in an industrial process."
"We are excited by the opportunities this technology offers to sequester the CO2 emitted at our ethanol plants," said Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Green Plains Renewable Energy. "Our plants have warm water, waste heat and C02 which provide a perfect environment for the BioProcessAlgae Grower Harvester technology to be deployed. The algae produced have the potential to be used for advanced bio-fuel production, high quality animal feed, or as biomass for energy production, but our focus is solely on efficiently growing algae and sequestering carbon dioxide at this point."
"We are honored to have Iowa Governor Chet Culver attend this technology unveiling. The State of Iowa has been extremely supportive of this project, with the Iowa Power Fund providing a matching funds grant of $2.1 million for research and development. We firmly believe this technology has the potential to significantly help the environment, the ethanol industry and the Iowa economy," Becker added.
Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Laboratory Glass Apparatus sells Lab Scale Algae Photobioreactor
You are at: Oilgae Blog.California-based Laboratory Glass Apparatus Inc, sells a laboratory scale algae photobioreactor. This 30 l Algae photobioreactor has three ten litre glass tubes each with its own light and temperature controlled environment. Each tube can provide independent envirommental variables for different algae cultures.
For more details see: http://www.mbesinc.com/ad2.html
About the company
Laboratory Glass Apparatus was founded in 1965 to provide custom glass blowing services to chemists, scientists and researchers in the various fields of science. In 1985, they collaborated with UCSF and the US Army to develop our line of diffusion cells for in vitro percutaneous absorption studies. This line is sold under the trade name, Skin Permeation Systems.
Source: http://www.laboratoryglassapparatus.com
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Labels: Algae-Photobioreactor
Algae-Covered Buildings Boost Biofuel Production
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A report recently released by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers suggests that sealed containers of algae photobioreactors could be integrated into the sides of buildings to produce biofuels and sequester carbon, adding a whole new meaning to the term ‘green building’. As the algae grows it sucks up CO2 from the surrounding air which can then be stored.
Currently photobioreactors are much more expensive to use than conventional open-pond systems, but this is why the The Institute of Mechanical Engineers wants more research funding to be pushed toward PBRs. Whereas open pond-style algaculture covers large areas of habitat, PBRs could be incorporated into our existing city infrastructure and provide the filtering and fuel production where we need it most.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Algae May Play Key Role on Vermont farms
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A pilot project is underway in Vermont. Testing whether algae along with milfoil, an invasive water weed, can generate energy on farms. This system builds on cow power- recycling even more of the waste to grow the algae.
Mark Hoffman is busy growing the farm's newest crop inside a small greenhouse at the Blue Spruce farm in Bridport, Vermont. Hoffman is managing this project for Algepower- a Montpelier company that has developed and patented a photobioreactor to cultivate algae as a fuel and food source.
The project is being funded in part by Central Vermont Public Service- Vermont's largest utility.
CVPS is pursuing a number of clean energy initiatives- including it's largest - cow power - which enables farms to turn cow manure into energy.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation-Sewage, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Biocentric Energy Negotiating Exclusive Manufacturing License for Photobioreactor
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Biocentric President Dennis Fisher announced that the company is in serious negotiations for the exclusive licensing of the closed loop photobioreactor system, with an Asian country. Mr. Fisher also indicated the exclusive licensing fee for the entire country was a significant amount and that a consummated contract is anticipated during August 2009.
Company COO Mr. Dennis Shen returned from China earlier this week and confirmed the Teaming agreement with Zhenxing Co was fully executed, and the company is now able to leverage the resources in China to design and manufacture certain components for Biocentric's global operations. Mr. Shen will be returning to China in the second week of August to finalize additional negotiations.
Algaepower Uses Cattle Waste to Grow Algae for Fuel
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The cow's manure from the Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport is used to produce power through the digester at the south side of the barns and some of the liquid manure has also been sent over to a mini greenhouse for growing algae.
A company called algaepower is growing algae using these liquid manure in a specially designed photobioreactor. This is indeed a significant improvement in the waste to energy industry.There are several other companies who are doing a similar kind of research using waste water ponds and algae.
Algepower expects to expand the algae growing operation in coming months and begin producing power sometime next year and Central Vermont Public Service is looking to fund them.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Cultivation-Sewage, Algae-Photobioreactor
China Enters Algae Energy Business in a Big Way
You are at: Oilgae Blog.China is starting to get into the bio-algae market in a big way; with Chinese innovation group ENN making large investments in algae bioreactors to help sequestrate carbon from China’s coal fired power plants.
The 24,000 employee, 4 US$billion company, is heavily involved in the energy business and developing technology to pass carbon dioxide through algae to help reduce China’s greenhouse gas emissions from their coal power plants that currently provide 70% of the electrical energy needs of the country.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
US Biofuels to Produce 50 million gallon of Algae biodiesel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.US Biofuels, Inc, a CA based company is setting to launch major green fuel production with recent gains of twelve greenhouses expanding over eight acres in size. Each greenhouse will be used for the purpose of growing algae in a closed system, using the photobioreactor process for the production of Biofuel.
In addition to the operating algae plants the company already has it is also currently planning to set up undergoing negotiations with Co-op Greenhouse Inc. to acquire locations in Fresno, CA, Imperial Valley, CA, Ely, NV, and Palmdale, CA to name just a few.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
GPRE and Bioprocessalgae LLC Complete $2.1 Million Grant for Algae Pilot Project
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Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. and BioProcessAlgae LLC have executed a grant award agreement with the Iowa Office of Energy Independence for a $2.1 million research and development grant from the Iowa Power Fund to build an algae pilot project at Green Plains’ ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa.
The Iowa Power Fund grant provides matching funds to install a series of photobioreactor units at Green Plains’ Shenandoah ethanol plant. Water, heat and carbon dioxide will be recycled from the ethanol manufacturing process to support continuous algae production. The grant provides funding through the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2010 with installation of the pilot project expected in the third quarter of 2009.
“BioProcessAlgae and its technology partners have made significant progress in the engineering, design and development of photobioreactor systems for algae production,” said Kevin Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of BioProcessAlgae. “The project will give us the opportunity to test our systems on a larger scale. This is a very important step toward system commercialization of algae technology.”
“The Shenandoah algae project is an opportunity to help the environment, the ethanol industry and the Iowa economy,” Becker stated. “Green Plains is committed to the advancement of next generation technologies and we appreciate the vision and assistance of Iowa Governor Chet Culver and the Iowa Office of Energy Independence in the development of this project.”
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Related blogs:
Iowa Approves $2 Million for Algae Fuel Project
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
BioProcessAlgae to Use Algae for Carbon Capture
You are at: Oilgae Blog.BioProcessAlgae, a joint venture among Clarcor, BioProcessH2O, Green Plains Renewable Energy, and NTR, has been awarded a $2.1 million grant from the state of Iowa to build the first photobioreactor systems attached to an industrial plant in the United States. The pilot project, which is supposed to be installed by the fall of this year, would capture CO2 from a Green Plains corn ethanol plant in Shenadoah, Iowa, and use it to grow algae.
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Algae Fuel Research by Appalachian State University students
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A team of seven Appalachian State University students received honorable mention this past weekend during the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Competition for their research with algae as a source of alternative energy. The event was sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The contest, held April 18-20 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., highlighted some of the brightest minds and ideas concerning sustainability. The competition was also part of the National Sustainable Design Expo.
A team of Appalachian students use algae to produce oil that can be used to make biofuel. Photo by Holt Menzies
For the team, headed by industrial technology graduate student Erika R. Porras, the competition was the fruition of nearly two years of effort.
“The idea came to out of a class I took in August 2007,” Porras said. “I applied and sent the proposal in around December 2007, received notification of the award in April or May 2008 and then actually received the grant in September 2008.”
Porras’ team received a $10,000 grant for phase one of the competition, which allowed the team to design and build an alga-cultural facility in Vilas, where they cultivated chlorella. Chlorella is a heartier type of algae that is easy to grow and is able to withstand a broad range of temperature, senior biology major Zachery Spivey said.
One of the major benefits of the program is the use of bio waste, or simple landfill waste, to produce biodiesel, Porras said.
“The major goal of the project was to research and demonstrate how the use of food waste could be beneficial for alternative energy,” Porras said. “We used a fast-growing organism to produce an oil that can be used for biodiesel.”
To do this, the team constructed an algae photo-bioreactor. They grew the chlorella in a solar greenhouse with carbon dioxide diverted from bio waste methane emissions to the algae. This exhibited how problem waste can be converted into an alternative source of energy, the team said.
The team first grew the algae in a complicated gyrating system of tubes, vents and lights, before it was transferred to a smaller pond within the greenhouse where it could be harvested for the purpose of extracting oil for biodiesel.
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A team of seven Appalachian State University students received honorable mention this past weekend during the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Competition for their research with algae as a source of alternative energy. The event was sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
A team of Appalachian students use algae to produce oil that can be used to make biofuel. Photo by Holt Menzies
The contest, held April 18-20 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., highlighted some of the brightest minds and ideas concerning sustainability. The competition was also part of the National Sustainable Design Expo.
A team of Appalachian students use algae to produce oil that can be used to make biofuel. Photo by Holt Menzies
For the team, headed by industrial technology graduate student Erika R. Porras, the competition was the fruition of nearly two years of effort.
“The idea came to out of a class I took in August 2007,” Porras said. “I applied and sent the proposal in around December 2007, received notification of the award in April or May 2008 and then actually received the grant in September 2008.”
Porras’ team received a $10,000 grant for phase one of the competition, which allowed the team to design and build an alga-cultural facility in Vilas, where they cultivated chlorella. Chlorella is a heartier type of algae that is easy to grow and is able to withstand a broad range of temperature, senior biology major Zachery Spivey said.
One of the major benefits of the program is the use of bio waste, or simple landfill waste, to produce biodiesel, Porras said.
“The major goal of the project was to research and demonstrate how the use of food waste could be beneficial for alternative energy,” Porras said. “We used a fast-growing organism to produce an oil that can be used for biodiesel.”
To do this, the team constructed an algae photo-bioreactor. They grew the chlorella in a solar greenhouse with carbon dioxide diverted from bio waste methane emissions to the algae. This exhibited how problem waste can be converted into an alternative source of energy, the team said.
The team first grew the algae in a complicated gyrating system of tubes, vents and lights, before it was transferred to a smaller pond within the greenhouse where it could be harvested for the purpose of extracting oil for biodiesel.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor, Algae-Strains
Algae Company BioCentric Energy Holdings Provides Update
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Dennis Fisher stated "we are building a new site that will carry all the hard assets (photobioreactors, nutrients, and nutrient management, automation, harvest, and VPN controls) and consultation to assist anyone with the desire to produce algae in a closed loop environment... although the site will continue to evolve, the first release of the shopping cart portion is expected to be completed by May 10th"
Dennis Fisher stated "we are building a new site that will carry all the hard assets (photobioreactors, nutrients, and nutrient management, automation, harvest, and VPN controls) and consultation to assist anyone with the desire to produce algae in a closed loop environment... although the site will continue to evolve, the first release of the shopping cart portion is expected to be completed by May 10th"
-- Today, BEHL brought Dale Baeten, of Investing In Stock Market, Inc., onboard as BioCentric Investor Relations
-- On April 28th Dennis Shen, President of BioCentric Algae, will be a guest speaker at the Algae World in Rotterdam -- afterwards Mr. Shen will then become one of the panelists for a roundtable discussion on the "Implementation of the Commercialization of Algae" Forum
-- On April 29th Mr. Shen will go to Berlin to meet with Mohammed Janus (Nobel Peace Prize winner in Economics) associate and author of Mr. Janus' best-selling autobiography, Peter Spiegel of Genesis Institute regarding Grameen Bank support for third world countries working with BEHL and the UN to implement the Algae Pro Photobioreactors for high value nutrition
-- On April 30th Mr. Fisher will be attending the National Algae Forum in Houston, Texas, where Mr. Fisher, on May 1st will release details of the Algae Pro Photobioreactor in his speech titled "Cost and Revenue of Algae Production"
-- On May 2nd Mr. Fisher will meet with Helmut Gass of Eccowerks in Port Arthur, Texas, to discuss a possible joint venture agreement
-- On May 2nd Mr. Shen will be meeting with the BioCentric Algae Scientists in Prague to begin the process of identifying which proprietary research will become our next co-owned patents in the USA
-- On May 3rd Dennis Fisher will meet with J.D. Wilshusen, of the Permian Sea Algae Farms in Imperial, Texas, to finalize a possible Joint Venture Agreement (presently there has been a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties) to build the Algae Pro Photobioreactor at their location
-- On May 4th and 5th Mr. Fisher is scheduled to meet with two different universities in the southwest to ascertain which institution (or possibly both) will receive grants from BEHL to work with our scientists on algae photobioreactor enhancements
Dennis Fisher, CEO for BioCentric Energy Inc. (BEHL), stated today, "This communication is to provide an update on our Plan of Action. I know most companies would spread this information out over the next few weeks but with all that is happening I thought my fiduciary responsibility was to keep our supporters aware. I personally would like to take this opportunity to thank all those supporters of BEHL on our climb to success."
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Photobioreactor
Midwest Research Institute Advances Algal Biofuels Research Utilizing Open and Closed Bioreactors
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Just five months after announcing the creation of a state-of-the-art Center for Integrated Algal Research, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has installed and activated two technically distinct bioreactor technologies to accelerate the Institute's pursuits in algae research. MRI recently activated an open pond "raceway" cultivation system at its laboratory in Palm Bay, Fla., and a continuous flow, closed loop photobioreactor at its field station near Kansas City, Mo.
MRI's open bioreactor system in Palm Bay includes two open pond raceway channels, each 40 feet long and 4 feet wide. The two raceways combined have a capacity of 8,000 gallons of water and are currently producing approximately 330 pounds of dry algal biomass per month with projections to increase biomass output with new
R&D improvements. The pilot raceway cultivation system provides a platform ideally suited for the investigation of technologies related to scale-up of algae production in open systems.
MRI's closed loop photobioreactor in Kansas City provides a pilot scale algae production facility enclosed in a greenhouse to allow for year-round testing. This closed system has a capacity of approximately 1,000 gallons of algae dense medium and is capable of harvesting approximately 90 pounds of dry mass per month. Artificial lighting is available and allows for exploring effects from using a variety of real world and simulated environments. "This robust system provides a unique test bed for rigorous characterization of diverse algae strains and stringent monitoring of their associated growth conditions, said Roger Harris, Ph.D., MRI Associate Vice President and Director of the Energy and Life Sciences Division. "It also provides integration of harvesting and other processing equipment for end-to-end product operations."
By employing both systems, MRI will be better equipped to assist government and industry in maximizing the potential of algae for solving energy and environmental challenges. The Center's comprehensive focus includes characterization of preferred algal strains, growth optimization, contamination mitigation, harvesting methods, oil extraction, and carbon capture.
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Just five months after announcing the creation of a state-of-the-art Center for Integrated Algal Research, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has installed and activated two technically distinct bioreactor technologies to accelerate the Institute's pursuits in algae research. MRI recently activated an open pond "raceway" cultivation system at its laboratory in Palm Bay, Fla., and a continuous flow, closed loop photobioreactor at its field station near Kansas City, Mo.
MRI's open bioreactor system in Palm Bay includes two open pond raceway channels, each 40 feet long and 4 feet wide. The two raceways combined have a capacity of 8,000 gallons of water and are currently producing approximately 330 pounds of dry algal biomass per month with projections to increase biomass output with new
R&D improvements. The pilot raceway cultivation system provides a platform ideally suited for the investigation of technologies related to scale-up of algae production in open systems.MRI's closed loop photobioreactor in Kansas City provides a pilot scale algae production facility enclosed in a greenhouse to allow for year-round testing. This closed system has a capacity of approximately 1,000 gallons of algae dense medium and is capable of harvesting approximately 90 pounds of dry mass per month. Artificial lighting is available and allows for exploring effects from using a variety of real world and simulated environments. "This robust system provides a unique test bed for rigorous characterization of diverse algae strains and stringent monitoring of their associated growth conditions, said Roger Harris, Ph.D., MRI Associate Vice President and Director of the Energy and Life Sciences Division. "It also provides integration of harvesting and other processing equipment for end-to-end product operations."
By employing both systems, MRI will be better equipped to assist government and industry in maximizing the potential of algae for solving energy and environmental challenges. The Center's comprehensive focus includes characterization of preferred algal strains, growth optimization, contamination mitigation, harvesting methods, oil extraction, and carbon capture.
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Cultivation-Open-Pond, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor
Eastern Cape to Turn Algae into Power
You are at: Oilgae Blog.OWING to ideal climate and mix of industry, the Eastern Cape has been handpicked for a unique pilot project using marine algae to convert the greenhouse gas of carbon dioxide into biofuels and other products.
The use of algae as one of the next generation sources of biofuel has not been without controversy, but research at Jacobs University using marine algae to capture, through photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide in flue gases at two major power stations is yielding great results.
A low-cost, custom-built 800m² photobioreactor housed in a closed, greenhouse- type setting, and set up at a German lignite coal-based powerplant has been converting carbon dioxide into biomass since August last year.
By the end of June, a 200m² photobioreactor capable of producing two tons of dry biomass a year – will be up and running at NMMU. This will be followed early next year by the creation of two 1000m² photobioreactors at sites adjacent to interested industrial partners, to evaluate the technology in industrial applications.
To keep costs down, the photobioreactors will be built locally, based on the original Phytolutions designs. The use of black economically empowered enterprises has been planned.
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
BioCentric Energy Algae to Unveil Provisional Patent Pending "Algae Pro Closed Loop Photobioreactor Solution"
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Press release
BEHL -- BioCentric Energy Holdings, Inc. -- BioCentric Energy Algae to Unveil the Provisional Patent Pending "Algae Pro Closed Loop Photobioreactor Solution" at Algae World 2009 -- Rotterdam in April
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - BioCentric Energy Algae agreed to speak at the ALGAE WORLD 2009 in Rotterdam this April. It is at this forum that BioCentric Energy Algae will release to the world their Provisional Patent Pending Invention of their Low Cost Closed Loop "Algae Pro Photobioreactor Solution."
Dennis Fisher, Board Member and President for BioCentric Energy, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BEHL), stated today, "This introduction of our solution at the Algae World 2009 of our inexpensive Closed Loop 'Algae Pro Photobioreactor' will validate the claims that I made speaking to the National Algae Forum in Houston last January. Quality targeted algae, grown inexpensively and exclusively in our patent pending closed loop 'Algae Pro Photobioreactor Solution,' is one fifth of the cost of our nearest competitor at $20 per square meter versus the minimum of $100 per square meter and up. This cap X elucidation makes profitable algae growth available today. We can also grow specific strains, determined to be rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber, in any combination thereof, to feed humans soon." Mr. Fisher went on to say, "Recently, we sent Spirulina, with an average 50+% proteins for a large public US poultry company to analyze for high end feedstock for their premium products... In the future, after all quality assurances have been met, we plan to deliver our own label of high end supplements for human consumption."
This conference is dedicated towards providing objective insights on the commercialization of Algae, as well as the latest advances and constraints in Algae cultivation, harvesting & processing.
The program is confirmed on 27-28 Apr in Rotterdam. The confirmed speakers are: BioCentric Energy Algae, NoriTech Seaweed Biotechnologies Ltd., Centre d'Etude et de Valorisation des Algues (CEVA), OriginOil, Blue Marble Energy, Centre for Sustainable Engineering, Earthrise Nutritionals LLC, Skyline Capital LLP, New Horizon Capital, and Ingrepro.
The Team of BioCentric Energy Algae delivers cost effective photobioreactor systems that take the emissions from smoke stacks, and in a closed loop environment, grow algae for production and harvest profitably.
BioCentric Energy, Inc. is dedicated to the development of new technologies as well as acquiring and fostering companies with innovative technologies designed to provide unique and effective green energy solutions for the 21st century. Along with the cultivation of important relationships and partnerships with synergistic entities, BioCentric Energy has devoted substantial time and effort in research and development in order to bring a range of innovative green alternatives to the marketplace.
Safe Harbor Statement:
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth above may be forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors such as the level of business and consumer spending, the amount of sales of the Company's products, the competitive environment within the industry, the ability of the Company to continue to expand its operations, the level of costs incurred in connection with the Company's expansion efforts, economic conditions in the industry and the financial strength of the Company's customers and suppliers. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements. Investors are also directed to consider all other risks and uncertainties.
For more information, please contact:
Company Contact:
Mr. Dennis Fisher
CEO and President
BioCentric Energy (BEHL)
Email: Email Contacthttp://www.BioCentricEnergyAlgae.com
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor
Shell awards prize to Scottish Bioenergy for Algae-to-biodiesel Process
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Scottish Bioenergy Cooperative Ventures has been awarded the £40,000 ($57,000) Climate Change Innovation Prize from Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s Shell Springboard program. Based in St. Cyrus, Scotland, the company builds, sells and operates photobioreactors for capturing carbon dioxide emissions to grow algae feedstock for biodiesel production.
Scottish Bioenergy recently completed successfully testing a small-scale version of its photobioreactor at the Glenturret Distillery in Crieff, Scotland; the distillery was built in 1775 and the oldest working distillery in Scotland. Carbon dioxide from the distillery’s boiler exhaust was captured and percolated through the photobioreactor. The system also eliminated chemicals and copper from the waste exhaust.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor
BioCentric Energy to Unveil the Algae Pro Closed Loop Photobioreactor Solution
You are at: Oilgae Blog.BioCentric Energy Algae agreed to speak at the ALGAE WORLD 2009 in Rotterdam this April. It is at this forum that BioCentric Energy Algae will release to the world their Provisional Patent Pending Invention of their Low Cost Closed Loop "Algae Pro Photobioreactor Solution."
Quality targeted algae, grown inexpensively and exclusively in our patent pending closed loop 'Algae Pro Photobioreactor Solution,' is one fifth of the cost of our nearest competitor at $20 per square meter versus the minimum of $100 per square meter and up.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Photobioreactor
BioCentric Energy Appoints Dennis Fisher and Dennis Shen
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BioCentric Energy, Inc. has appointed both Dennis Fisher and Dennis Shen as board members for BioCentric Energy Holdings (PINKSHEETS: BEHL). As part of the merger agreement Mr. Dan Motsinger shall be resigning as both a board member and as President. Mr. Fisher shall also be placed as President of BEHL.
Dennis Fisher, Board Member and President for BioCentric Energy, Inc., stated today," For a number of years we have been building Our Unique Green Team which consists of proven capable and successful professionals that are and have been committed to delivering our country and our planet a profitable path to reduce global warming." Mr. Fisher went on to say, "Approximately one third of the CO2 Green House Gas Emissions are directly attributed to the production of energy in our country (http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/sequestration/publications/programplans/2005/sequestration_roadmap_2005.pdf). Our primary focus is the delivery of our low cost photobioreactor systems that take the emissions from smoke stacks and, in a closed loop environment, grow algae for production and harvest."
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Ben Gurion University, Primafuel Join on Algae Biorefinery
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Ben Gurion University of the Negev and California-based low-carbon fuel developer Primafuel are partnering on an international algae biorefinery program.
The multi-year development deal, between Primafuel and Ben Gurion University's Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory (MBL)is estimated to be worth several million dollars.
The MBL has three decade of experience in producing commercial quantities of algae for the food and nutraceutical markets. That venture includes one of the largest photobioreactors in the world.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Green Plain Renewable Energy Inc.(GPRE) forms algae venture
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Nebraska-based Green Plain Renewable Energy Inc. has partnered with Tennessee-based filtration products manufacturer Clarcor Inc., Rhode Island-based photobioreactor and filtration system developer BioProcessH20 LLC, and Ireland-based NTR PLC to develop a pilot-scale algae production facility at GPRE’s 50 MMgy ethanol plant in Shenandoah, Iowa. GPRE said BioProcess Algae LLC will grow the algae, which will be used to produce biodiesel, ethanol and animal feed. The company will utilize an advanced photobioreactor based on technology licensed to the company by BioProcessH20. The size, scope and construction time line of the facility had not yet been determined.
Source:ethanolproducer.com
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Solix claims cut the costs of growing algae by 90-95%
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
Algae in bioreactors – clear, water-filled chambers that let the microorganisms absorb sunlight – need carbon dioxide to feed and grow. Typically, the carbon dioxide is pumped in from a smokestack at a nearby power plant. Injecting that CO2 and circulating it around the tank, however, requires quite a bit of energy, which in turn adds cost.
The Durango, Colo.-based company, which can trace its lineage, in part, back to the algae projects at the National Resources Energy Lab in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, says it has come up with a way to lets CO2 essentially enter and swirl inside the tank in a relatively passive manner.
As a result, Solix claims that it has cut the costs of growing algae by around 90 percent to 95 percent. Solix's bioreactors are relatively flat plates that increase the amount of light that can be absorbed by the algae.
"Bubbling in CO2. That is where a large part of the energy costs come from," Henston said in an interview. "We understand where the big buttons are."
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The Durango, Colo.-based company, which can trace its lineage, in part, back to the algae projects at the National Resources Energy Lab in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, says it has come up with a way to lets CO2 essentially enter and swirl inside the tank in a relatively passive manner.
As a result, Solix claims that it has cut the costs of growing algae by around 90 percent to 95 percent. Solix's bioreactors are relatively flat plates that increase the amount of light that can be absorbed by the algae.
"Bubbling in CO2. That is where a large part of the energy costs come from," Henston said in an interview. "We understand where the big buttons are."
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
GreenShift Receives Grant for Bioreactor from Montana Board of Research
You are at: Oilgae Blog.GreenShift Corporation today announced that it has received a grant award of $375,000 to further the development of GreenShift`s patented and patent-pending algae bioreactor. The funding is provided through the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization, a unit of the Montana Department of Commerce. The objective
of the grant award is to demonstrate the production of algae from an industrial source of carbon dioxide in Montana using GreenShift`s patented and patent-pending bioreactor technology. GreenShift is to provide matching funds of $125,000.
GreenShift`s CO2 Bioreactor
GreenShift's patented and patent-pending bioreactor technology uses thermophillic cyanobacteria to consume carbon dioxide emissions. The organisms use the available carbon dioxide in the emissions and water to grow and give off oxygen and water vapor. The organisms also absorb nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide and can be harvested for extraction and conversion into value added carbon neutral products once they grow to maturity.
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GreenShift Receives Grant for Algae Bioreactor Technology
You are at: Oilgae Blog.
GreenShift Corporation today announced that it has received a grant award of $375,000 to further the development of GreenShift`s patented and patent-pending algae bioreactor.
The funding is provided through the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization, a unit of the Montana Department of Commerce. The objective of the grant award is to demonstrate the production of algae from an industrial source of carbon dioxide in Montana using GreenShift`s patented and patent-pending bioreactor technology. GreenShift is to provide matching funds of $125,000.
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The funding is provided through the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization, a unit of the Montana Department of Commerce. The objective of the grant award is to demonstrate the production of algae from an industrial source of carbon dioxide in Montana using GreenShift`s patented and patent-pending bioreactor technology. GreenShift is to provide matching funds of $125,000.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Energy-Investments, Algae-Photobioreactor
NTPC installs Algae Photobioreactor at UP, India with CSIR and Teri
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Hoping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its coal-based power plants, NTPC Ltd will set up India’s first photobioreactor at its Dadri unit in Uttar Pradesh in association with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri).
“The reactor will be set up at an investment of Rs11 crore and will use flue gas (a combination of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides) to grow algae and will help in carbon capture and absorption,” said Jairam Ramesh, minister of state for power and commerce.
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Photobioreactor
Simgae Low Cost Algae Production System from Diversified Energy & XL Renewables
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Diversified Energy Corporation has formed a partnership and licensing arrangement for a patent pending algae production system invented by XL Renewables, Inc. The approach, called Simgae™ (for simple algae), utilizes common agriculture and irrigation components to produce algae at a fraction of the cost of competing systems. It is claimed that the cost will be 1/2 - 1/16th the capital cost, and profitable oil production costs at $0.08 - $0.12/pound, and low operations and maintenance requirements...
Typical architectures currently rely on a series of rigid and complex frameworks and structures. As a consequence, capital costs can be anywhere from $100k’s to over $1M/acre. When factoring in the thousands of algae acres required, these up-front costs can kill a project.
Simgae™ offers a complete paradigm shift by delivering an agriculture-based solution to largescale algae production. Instead of creating elaborate architectures designed to push yield to its utmost maximum, the proposed system makes cost and simplicity the driving variables. The approach can be thought of as the “farmer’s solution” to algae production. The system uses unique thin walled polyethylene tubing, called Algae Biotape®, similar to conventional drip irrigation tubes. The patent pending biotape is laid out in parallel across a field. Under pressure, water containing the necessary nutrients and a small fraction of algae are slowly introduced into the biotape. Carbon dioxide is injected periodically and after roughly 24 hours the flow leaves the Algae Biotape® with a markedly greater concentration of algae than was started. All the supporting hardware components and processes involved in Simgae™ are direct applications from the agriculture industry. Re-use of these practices avoids the need for expensive and complex hardware and costly installation and maintenance.
The Simgae™ design is expected to provide an annual algae yield of 100 - 200 dry tons per acre. Capital costs are expected to be approximately $45k - $60k (a 2 - 16 times improvement over competing systems) and profitable oil production costs are estimated at only $0.08 - $0.12/pound. These oil costs compare to recent market prices of feedstock oils anywhere from $0.25 - $0.44/pound.
More information about Simgae™ can be found here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Cost, Algae-Photobioreactor
Solix Photobioreactor Cuts Algae Cultivation Costs by 90% ?
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Now, that's what I read here. When anyone claims they can cut anything by 90, you are naturally skeptical about it unless they are talking about cutting manpower in their companies by 90% which is perfectly believable under the circs!
Solix claims that they have a unique photobioreactor design that will cut costs of growing in algae by 90%. So what's so great about their PBRs? They claim two things. 1. They say that since a large part of PBR operating costs are in due to the energy required for bubbling the CO2, they have a method by which this CO2 circulation is done in a far more efficient manner; 2. It appears from the article and the picture that they are using some sort of flat plate photobioreactors and not the usual tubular photobioreactors. The company claims that the shape of the bioreactor increases the amount of sunlight absorbed by the plates.
Well, possibly they have some great ideas out there, but one needs to really see their PBRs perform in the real world and show the type of cost decreases they are talking about.
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Algae @ John Lennon Airport, Liverpool for CO2 Sequestration & Biodiesel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Origo Industries announced it has signed a deal to trial its Ecobox technology at Liverpool John Lennon airport. The trial will see CO2 from air handling units on the terminal building filtered through a photo-bioreactor containing algae. The CO2 will be absorbed by the algae, accelerating its development to a point where it can be refined to produce a biofuel.
The airport plans to use the resulting biofuel to run its ground-based vehicles, while the waste biomass produced by the refining process will be passed through a drying process and fed into a burner which will supply some of the airport's heating and hot water.
Origo said that it hoped to be produce up to 250 litres of biofuel a day using the system when it starts operating next summer
Full news report here
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Photobioreactor
Algae Photobioreactor - Low Cost, High Efficiency, from Algasol Renewables
You are at: Oilgae Blog.You hear it everyday - "if only photobioreactors could be much cheaper, perhaps algae fuel could be cost effective".
Last few months, we have been seeing a number of companies start efforts into producing lower cost photobioreactors, and Algasol is one more to be added to this list.
Algasol Renewables SL, located in Spain is making interesting efforts at making high-performance low-cost photobioreactors. This is what their web site has to say: "The technology is based on a low-cost closed photobioreactor system. The closed process design allows for the growing of different species of algae optimized for productivity and end product. Contamination – a potential threat in open ponds is avoided.
The Algasol Renewables photobioreactor technology is superior both in terms of cost and efficiency compared to other photobioreactor designs.
Algasol Renewables expects to have the world’s largest and most cost efficient micro algae photobioreactor pilot plant in 2010."
2010 is still some time away but it is good to see more companies making efforts into PBRs.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Valcent technologies - Nearing Completion Of Its First Commercial H.D.V.G. Vegetable Production Plant
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Valcent technologies expects to complete construction of the first full scale commercial High Density Vertical Growing System project at its El Paso Research facility. Site preparation is complete and erection of the one eighth acre plant expects greenhouse containment structure is at an advanced stage. Valcent COO Forrest Ely has forecasted completion of the project to occur in mid - February, with the first harvest expected in mid-March. The High Density Vertical Growing System will now be known as "VertiCrop".
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Holcim Spanish Cement Plant Gets GreenFuel, Aurantia Algae CO2 Recycling Project
You are at: Oilgae Blog.GreenFuel Technologies Corporation and Aurantia, SA announced the second phase of their joint project to develop and scale algae farming technologies in the Iberian Peninsula. Initiated in December 2007 at the Holcim cement plant near Jerez, Spain, the project's goal is to demonstrate that industrial CO2 emissions can be economically recycled to grow algae for use in high-value feeds, foods and fuels.
The Aurantia-GreenFuel project at Holcim consists of a series of development stages that could eventually scale to 100 hectares of algae greenhouses producing 25,000 tons of algae biomass per year. Aurantia anticipates the project will be eligible for subsidies from both regional authorities and the central government which will partially offset its development costs.
The second phase of the project commenced with the successful inoculation and subsequent harvests of a 100m2 prototype vertical thin-film algae-solar bioreactor. The next phase of the Aurantia-GreenFuel project at Holcim will be the construction of a 1,000m2 algae greenhouse and harvesting facilities adjacent to the cement plant.
Source
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Rapid Algae Farming Systems from AlgaeVenture Systems
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Algae Venture Systems is developing a Rapid Algae Farming (RAF) System, which will serve as the platform for the creation of numerous products from algae, specifically biofuels and bioplastics. The RAF System is a fully automated network of enclosed photo-bioreactors that efficiently grows and processes algae. The design is fully adaptable, giving it the capability to utilize virtually any species of algae.
AlgaeVenture, belonging to the Univenture Group, believes that plastics technology is continually evolving and are seeking to provide the missing link to commercialize a strong algae industry with their unique manufacturing technologies, engineering and product development - to successfully commercialize algae production systems rapidly.
More from their web site
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Greenfuel Algae CO2 Recycling Project With Aurantia Enters II Phase
You are at: Oilgae Blog.GreenFuel Technologies Corporation and Aurantia, SA announced the second phase of their joint project to develop and scale algae farming technologies in the Iberian Peninsula on october 21. The Holcim cement plant was initiated in December 2007 near Jerez, Spain, the project’s goal is to demonstrate that industrial CO2 emissions can be economically recycled to grow algae for use in high-value feeds, foods and fuels.The second phase of the project commenced with the successful inoculation and subsequent harvests of a 100m2 prototype vertical thin-film algae-solar bioreactor.
The next phase of the Aurantia-GreenFuel project at Holcim will be the construction of a 1,000m2 algae greenhouse and harvesting facilities adjacent to the cement plant. In the meantime, GreenFuel and Aurantia will continue to test algae growth rates with the cement plant’s flue gasses.
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Labels: Algae-CO2-Capture, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Algal Sciences - Growing, Harvesting, Processing Algae for Food, Fuel, Research
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Thought I'd profile this company.
Products
They grow agal species specifically tailored to your requirements. Quantities and dry processing and packaging is available for all species harvested at their facility.
Bioreactor
Bioreactor Forest(tm) 20 System - 2000L photobioreactor system is skid mounted and can process up to 1000L of wet algae per day. This system includes all necessary tanks, pumps and plumbing. Harvesting can be done in batch or continuous basis depending on the operational requirements and processing system in place.
More on Algal Sciences from their web site
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Companies Trying to Bring Down Cost of Producing Oil from Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Here are some excerpts on what companies are doing to reduce the cost of making oil and fuel from algae. This is from a recent article at Scientific American
Costs for algae-based fuel currently range from $10 to $100 per gallon, according to systems engineer Ron Pate at Sandia National Laboratories. "The idea [is] bringing algal oil down to $1 or $2 per gallon at a scale of 50 million gallons [190 million liters] per year."
High cost is a problem throughout the algal biofuels industry. "It's energy cost to pump the water," says Craig Harting, chief operating officer for Vancouver-based Global Green Solutions, which is building 100 bioreactors (large plastic devices used to grow algae) at a pilot plant in El Paso, Tex. "It's capital cost to build bioreactors. It's the harvesting and extraction process."
As a result, most companies say they have yet to determine the consumer price tag for algae-derived oil—or to produce much of the stuff—though Wolfson says Solazyme's goal is $40 to $80 a barrel—competitive with fossil oil.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Cost, Algae-Photobioreactor
OriginOil Announces Finetuning of Helix BioReactor™ subsystems
You are at: Oilgae Blog.OriginOil, Inc., the developer of a technology to transform algae, the most promising source of renewable oil, into a true competitor to petroleum, today announced that the finetuning of the Helix BioReactor™ subsystems has yielded positive results.
In its original May 2008 patent filing for the Enhanced Algae Growth System, the company reported initial algae production metrics based on its first prototype of February 2008. Since that time, the engineering team has fine tuned the Helix BioReactor subsystems to further increase performance characteristics. These have now yielded sufficient results to begin design and layout of larger scale systems, according to the company
More from here
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AlgaeWay Algae Photobioreactor
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Thought I'd briefly mention the AlgaeWay photobioreactor from AlgaeLink...here's a page that provides detailed info on the photobioreactor, its features, benefits and data
The Oilgae Comprehensive Report gives profiles and info on over a hundred companies and commercial efforts in this domain.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Photobioreactor
Oregon State University develops biodiesel from algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.The Oregon State University (OSU) is working on a new process that could draw up to 60 % oil from an algae farm. It has two small photobioreactors built to grow microscopic algae of both fresh water and salt water varieties in a closed system at the OSU Sustainable Technologies Laboratory. The biggest challenge is separating water from the micro algae he is testing - Chlorella and Dunaliella - which must continually be mixed with carbon dioxide and light as they grow. A combination of straining and centrifuging is the current method of extraction.
Full story here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor
Valcent Initial Test Results Indicate at Least 33,000 gallons of Algae Oil per Acre Possible
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.From the Valcent/Vorticom press release:
"During a 90 day continual production test, algae was being harvested at an average of one gram (dry weight) per liter. This equates to algae bio mass production of 276 tons of algae per acre per year. Achieving the same biomass production rate with an algal species having 50% lipids (oil) content would therefore deliver approximately 33,000 gallons of algae oil per acre per year.
…As a comparative, food crop such as soy bean will typically produce some 48 gallons oil per acre per year and palm will produce approximately 630 gallons oil per acre per year. In addition, the Vertigro Bio Reactor System is a closed loop continuous production system that uses little water and may be built on non arable lands."
Source
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
AlgaeLink N.V. / BioKing B.V. Selling AlgaeLink photobioreactor
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Supersized Algae Bioreactors
A Dutch firm with ties to the biodiesel industry is the first to market an industrial-scale algae photobioreactor that may provide a solution to oil-hungry producers.
One promising new fuel source is algae. Many companies and universities are working to unlock the potential of these single-celled plants, which can contain up to 50 percent oil by weight and double their numbers in a single day. Nearly all of these projects are still in the development stages, however, and won’t be attempting a commercial-scale project until late 2008 or 2009...
One firm, however, has broken from the pack and is selling commercial-scale algae systems. AlgaeLink N.V. is a subsidiary of BioKing B.V., a manufacturer of biodiesel production equipment based in the Netherlands. The company began selling its AlgaeLink photobioreactor system in the third quarter of 2007....
Read more from here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Photobioreactor
Biofuel News - AlgaeLink, Oxfam Report Biofuelling Poverty...
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Some related developments on the algae biofuel and related fronts...
The Dutch biofuel company AlgaeLink unveiled a new photobioreactor technology, which it claims will lead to increased yields and dramatically reduce installation costs. Hans van de Ven, president of AlgaeLink, said the new approach to creating algae-based biofuels would bring down costs...
Oxfam this week became the latest group to raise concerns about the environmental and humanitarian effects of European policies which have stimulated demand for first-generation biofuels. A report from the group entitled Biofuelling Poverty (PDF format) concluded that the EU target of gaining 10 per cent of transport fuels from biofuels by 2020 was leading to the rapid expansion of biofuel plantations in developing countries that threaten to "force poor people from their land, destroy their livelihoods, lead to the exploitation of workers and hurt the availability and affordability of food".
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Dutch Co Manufactures Algae Bioreactor
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Dutch Co Manufactures Algae Bioreactor
24 Apr 2007, New Car Net, UK
A Dutch company has successfully created algae photo-bioreactors for the purpose of producing biodiesel. BioKing Green Energy NV will engage in research and development of algae cultivation as an energy source as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based fuels. The production facilities for algae bio fuels will be based in The Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
Read the full report from here @ New Car Net, UK
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae; Oilgae Blog; List of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
US, German Algae Cos Form Alliance to Advance Bioreactors
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
US and German Algae Companies Form Strategic Alliance to Advance Bioreactor Systems
11 January 2007
Greenfuel Technologies Corporation, a leader in the development of algae bioreactor technology for recycling CO2 in flue gases into biofuels, has signed a strategic alliance agreement with IGV (Institut für Getreideverarbeitun g), a private industrial research institute headquartered in Potsdam, Germany. IGV is a pioneer in micro-algae research and production with more than 80 commercial technology deployments worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, GreenFuel and IGV will share proprietary algae bioreactor technology in an effort to accelerate the commercialization of biofuel production from recycled carbon dioxide in power plant flue gas emissions.
GreenFuel and IGV will also pursue commercial opportunities together in Europe. Once in commercial production, the GreenFuel Emissions-to-Biofuels process will allow power plants to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, generate carbon credits, and produce clean, renewable biofuels. (Earlier post.) GreenFuel estimates that its Emissions-to- Biofuels process can absorb a significant percentage (up to more than 80%) of a power plant's CO2 emissions during the daytime, varying with available sunlight. The Emissions-to- Biofuels system scrubs NOx emissions around the clock.
Unlike typical agricultural biofuel feedstocks, such as soybeans or corn which have a limited harvest window, algae multiply every hour and can be harvested every day.
Algae can also be grown on poor quality land with non-potable water, so they don't compete for land suitable for food crops. The carbon-enriched algae contain lipid oils and starches that can be converted into biodiesel and ethanol for transportation fuels. The residual protein can be used for animal feed and nutritional supplements. GreenFuel is currently involved in a number of Emissions-to- Biofuels pilot projects in the USA, Australia, Europe, and South Africa.
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
A High Productivity Bioreactor for Microalgae Cultivation
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
A High Productivity Bioreactor for Microalgae Cultivation
Found a site in which the author has put forward details of his new bioreactor design. Thought it could be useful for some of you
Key Words: micro alga, spirulina, haematococcus, astaxanthin
Brief Introduction by the author: Cyanobacterium Spirulina and green alga Haematococcus spp. are of microscopic plants, although they are biologically adaptable to a wide range of warm environments, the establishment and proliferation of themselves with high productivity depending on selective nutrients, the suitable growth temperatures, and in need of optimizing the light intensity etc. However, these essential requirements are hardly met in the open pond systems. In view of the limitations and shortcomings as low biomass productivity, unavoidable contaminations which existed insuperable for the pond culture systems, bioscientists and biotron-engineers in the last decades had developed certain forms of closed transparent photo-bioreactors for the mass production of micro-algae. Although most of them could be used to some certain degree for the experimental algal culture, yet there still existed some hindrances of operational problems and even serious growth limitations. Among these problems are primarily the oxygen build-up in the growth medium and the overheating inside the tubes by the sunrays in summer seasons.
With these considerations, the author after several years trials and improvements, had invented and manufactured a totally different photobioreactor which aimed at for the commercial production of Spirulina or Haematocuccus spp. in particular, and other photophilic micro-organisms in general. The functional advantages for this vertical glass photo-bioreactor (VGPR), in addition to its high productivity, presented mainly as that it had basically overcome those growth limitations, i.e. the overheating of the cultural medium, the high tension of the dissolved oxygen (D.O.) and the problem of algal staining on the tubular inner walls which offten existed in those previous forms.
See the site NewBioreactor for further info about the bioreactor and the author's contact details
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Comparison of compact photobioreactors for large-scale monoculture of microalgae
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Comparative evaluation of compact photobioreactors for large-scale monoculture of microalgae
Asterio Sa´nchez Miro´n, Antonio Contreras Go´mez,
Francisco Garcý´a Camacho, Emilio Molina Grima, Yusuf Chisti *
Department of Chemical Engineering, Uni6ersity of Almerý´a, E- 04071 Almerý´a, Spain
Journal of Biotechnology, 70, (1999)
Received 27 October 1998; received in revised form 17 November 1998; accepted 22 December 1998
Abstract
Engineering analyses combined with experimental observations in horizontal tubular photobioreactors and vertical bubble columns are used to demonstrate the potential of pneumatically mixed vertical devices for large-scale outdoor culture of photosynthetic microorganisms. Whereas the horizontal tubular systems have been extensively investigated,
their scalability is limited. Horizontal tubular photobioreactors and vertical bubble column type units differ substantially in many ways, particularly with respect to the surface–to–volume ratio, the amount of gas in dispersion, the gas–liquid mass transfer characteristics, the nature of the fluid movement and the internal irradiance levels. As illustrated for eicosapentaenoic acid production from the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a realistic commercial process cannot rely on horizontal tubular photobioreactor technology. In bubble columns, presence of gas bubbles generally enhances internal irradiance when the Sun is low on the horizon. Near solar noon, the bubbles diminish the internal column irradiance relative to the ungassed state. The optimal dimensions of vertical column photobioreactors are about 0.2 m diameter and 4 m column height. Parallel east–west oriented rows of such columns located at 36.8°N latitude need an optimal inter-row spacing of about 3.5 m. In vertical columns the biomass productivity varies substantially during the year: the peak productivity during summer may be several times greater than in the winter. This seasonal variation occurs also in horizontal tubular units, but is much less pronounced. Under identical conditions, the volumetric biomass productivity in a bubble column is 60% of that in a 0.06 m diameter horizontal tubular loop, but there is substantial scope for raising this value.
Keywords : Microalgae; Photobioreactors; Scale-up; Photosynthetic culture; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Full report here (PDF)
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
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About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Biotechnology of algal biomass production: review of outdoor mass culture systems
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Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 5, Number 6 / December, 1993
DOI - 10.1007/BF02184638
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Daniel Chaumont1
(1)
Centre de Cadarache, Département de Physiologie Végétale et Ecosystèmes, Section d'Ecophysiologie en Conditions Contrôlées, Groupe d'Ecotechnie, Bâtiment 177, 13108 Saint Paul les Durance Cedex, France
Received: 19 July 1993 Revised: 16 August 1993 Accepted: 17 August 1993
Abstract
Microalgae are very efficient solar energy converters and they can produce a great variety of metabolites. Man has always tried to take advantage of these proporties through algal mass culture. Despite the fact that many applications for microalgae have been described in the literature, these micro-organisms are still of minor economic importance. Industrial reactors for algal culture are at present, all designed as open race-ways (shallow open ponds where culture is circulated by a paddle-wheel). Technical and biological limitations of these open systems have given rise to the development of enclosed photoreactors (made of transparent tubes, sleeves or containers and where light source may be natural or artificial). The present review surveys advances in these two technologies for cultivation of microalgae. Starting from published results, the advantages and disadvantages of open systems and closed photobioreactors are discussed. A few open systems are presented for which particularly reliable results are available. Emphasis is then put on closed systems, which have been considered as capital intensive and are justified only when a fine chemical is to be produced.
Key words microalgae - culture systems - race-ways - photobioreactors - mass culture - algal biotechnology
Original Springer Link page here
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Performance of flat plate, air-lift reactor for the growth of high biomass algal cultures
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Performance of a flat plate, air-lift reactor for the growth of high biomass algal cultures
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 4, Number 1 / March, 1992
DOI - 10.1007/BF00003954
Performance of a flat plate, air-lift reactor for the growth of high biomass algal cultures
Iain A. J. Ratchford1 and Howard J. Fallowfield1
(1)
Department of Biochemical Sciences, The Scottish Agricultural College, Auchincruive, Ayr, KA6 5HW, UK
Received: 14 August 1991 Revised: 11 October 1991 Accepted: 20 October 1991
SpringerLink Date - Friday, July 28, 2006
Abstract
A flat plate, multi-pass air lift reactor (FPALR) for the culture of photosynthetic organisms was constructed from twin wall acrylic sheet and its performance characterised. When operated at an air input of 2.01 min?1 the multi-pass system had a Reynolds number of 5200 indicating fully turbulent flow. Chlorella vulgaris 211/11c was found to have a stationary phase biomass of 1.48 g 1?1 when grown in the flat plate air lift reactor (FPALR) at 100 µmol m?2s?1 compared to 1.11 g 1?1 when cultured in the continually stirred tank reactor (CSTR) at the same PFD (photon flux density). The same organism cultured at 200 µmol m?2s?1 achieved a stationary phase biomass of 1.71 g 1?1 in the FPALR. In contrast, Scenedesmus sp. produced a stationary phase biomass of 2.27 g1?1 and 1.27 g1?1, when cultured at 100 µmol m?2s?1 in the FPALR and the CSTR respectively. The growth rates of both organisms were also higher in the PFALR.
Key words photobioreactor - flat plate air-lift reactor - Chlorella - Synechococcus - hydraulic characteristics - photosynthesis
Original Springer Link here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture
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Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 5, Number 6 / December, 1993
DOI - 10.1007/BF02184638
Pages - 593-604
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture
Daniel Chaumont1
(1)
Centre de Cadarache, Département de Physiologie Végétale et Ecosystèmes, Section d'Ecophysiologie en Conditions Contrôlées, Groupe d'Ecotechnie, Bâtiment 177, 13108 Saint Paul les Durance Cedex, France
Received: 19 July 1993 Revised: 16 August 1993 Accepted: 17 August 1993
Abstract
Microalgae are very efficient solar energy converters and they can produce a great variety of metabolites. Man has always tried to take advantage of these proporties through algal mass culture. Despite the fact that many applications for microalgae have been described in the literature, these micro-organisms are still of minor economic importance. Industrial reactors for algal culture are at present, all designed as open race-ways (shallow open ponds where culture is circulated by a paddle-wheel). Technical and biological limitations of these open systems have given rise to the development of enclosed photoreactors (made of transparent tubes, sleeves or containers and where light source may be natural or artificial). The present review surveys advances in these two technologies for cultivation of microalgae. Starting from published results, the advantages and disadvantages of open systems and closed photobioreactors are discussed. A few open systems are presented for which particularly reliable results are available. Emphasis is then put on closed systems, which have been considered as capital intensive and are justified only when a fine chemical is to be produced.
Key words microalgae - culture systems - race-ways - photobioreactors - mass culture - algal biotechnology
Original Springer page here
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Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
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High-density algal photobioreactors using light-emitting diodes
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High-density algal photobioreactors using light-emitting diodes
Choul-Gyun Lee, Bernhard Ø. Palsson *
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
*Correspondence to Bernhard Ø. Palsson, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Keywords - Chlorella vulgaris • light-emitting diodes (LEd) • Oxygen production • photobioreactor(PBR)
Abstract
Lack of high-density algal photobioreactors (PBR) has been a limitation in exploiting the biotechnological potential of algae. Recent developments of highly efficient light-emitting diodes (LED using gallium aluminum arsenide chips) have made the development of a small LED-based PBR possible. We have calculated theoretical values of gas mass transfer requirements and light-intensity requirement to support high-density algal cultures for the 680 nm monochromatic red light from LED as a light source. A prototype PBR has been designed based on these calculations. A cell concentration of more than 2 × 109 cells/mL (more than 6.6% v%sol;v), cell doubling times as low as 12 h, and an oxygen production rate as high as 10 mmol oxygen/L culture/h were achieved using on-line ultrafiltration to periodically provide fresh medium.
Original Wiley Interscience link here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Elemental balancing of biomass and medium composition enhances growth capacity in high-density Chlorella vulgaris cultures
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Elemental balancing of biomass and medium composition enhances growth capacity in high-density Chlorella vulgaris cultures
Ramkumar K. Mandalam *, Bernhard Palsson
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
*Correspondence to Ramkumar K. Mandalam, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
Funded by: NASA; Grant Number: 10-56943
Keywords - Chlorella vulgaris • algae • elemental balancing • medium design • high-density cultures • photoautotrophic growth
Abstract
The basic requirements for high-density photoautotrophic microalgal cultures in enclosed photobioreactors are a powerful light source and proper distribution of light, efficient gas exchange, and suitable medium composition. This article introduces the concept of balancing the elemental composition of growth medium with biomass composition to obtain high-density cultures. N-8 medium, commonly used for culturing Chlorella vulgaris was evaluated for its capacity to support high-density cultures on the basis of elemental stoichiometric composition of C. vulgaris. This analysis showed that the N-8 medium is deficient in iron, magnesium, sulfur, and nitrogen at high cell densities. N-8 medium was redesigned to contain stoichiometrically balanced quantities of the four deficient elements to support a biomass concentration of 2% (v/v). The redesigned medium, called M-8 medium, resulted in up to three- to fivefold increase in total chlorophyll content per volume of culture as compared to N-8 medium. Further experiments showed that addition of each of the four elements separately to N-8 medium did not improve culture performance and that balanced supplementation of all four deficient elements was required to yield the improved performance. Long-term (24 d) C. vulgaris culture in M-8 medium showed continuous increase in chlorophyll content and biomass throughout the period of cultivation. In contrast, the increase in chlorophyll content and biomass ceased after 7 and 12 d, respectively in N-8 medium, demonstrating the higher capacity of M-8 medium to produce biomass. Thus, the performance of high cell density photobioreactors can be significantly enhanced by proper medium design. The elemental composition of the biomass generated is an appropriate basis for medium design.
Original John Wiley link here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Nutrients, Algae-Photobioreactor
Laboratory scale air-lift helical photobioreactor to increase biomass output rate of photosynthetic algal cultures
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A laboratory scale air-lift helical photobioreactor to increase biomass output rate of photosynthetic algal cultures
New PhytologistVolume 116 Issue 2 Page 331 - October 1990
EDMUND T.-Y. LEE 11Microbial Physiology Group, Division of Biosphere Sciences, King's College (University of London), Campden Hill Road, London W8 7AH
MICHAEL J. BAZIN11Microbial Physiology Group, Division of Biosphere Sciences, King's College (University of London), Campden Hill Road, London W8 7AH
1Microbial Physiology Group, Division of Biosphere Sciences, King's College (University of London), Campden Hill Road, London W8 7AH
Summary
The helical air-lift reactor of 0·315 1 capacity provides an improved way to cultivate photosynthetic organisms when compared to a 0·625 1 stirred reactor. The improvement results from an approximately three-fold increase in the surface area: volume ratio of the reactor. Continuous operation of the helical reactor at a dilution rate of 0·025 h1 permitted a light-limited photosynthetic culture of Porphyridium cruentum to be maintained at a steady state biomass concentration of 4·6 g l1 compared to 1·7 g l1 in the stirred reactor under similar illumination. When operated at an air flow rate of 0·75 1 min1, the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient was 160 h1 in the helical reactor and a Reynolds number of 2000 was obtained.
Original link here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Airlift photobioreactor with baffles for improved light utilization with flashing light effect
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A novel airlift photobioreactor with baffles for improved light utilization through the flashing light effect
Degen J, Uebele A, Retze A, Schmid-Staiger U, Trosch W.
Fraunhofer Institut fur Grenzflachen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik, Nobelstr. 12, D-70569
1: J Biotechnol. 2001 Dec 28;92(2):89-94.
Abstract
A newly developed flat panel airlift photobioreactor with a defined circulation path was tested for microalgal culture. The bioreactor exposed the cells to intermittent light to improve the efficiency of light utilization through the flashing-light effect. During batch cultures in the new photobioreactor, the biomass productivity of Chlorella vulgaris was 1.7 times greater than in a randomly mixed bubble column of identical dimension. A reduction in light path from 30 to 15 mm increased the biomass productivity by 2.5-fold. A maximum dry biomass productivity of 0.11 g l(-1) h(-1) was obtained at an artificial illumination of 980 mu E m(-2) s(-1).
Original source link here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Tubular photobioreactor design for algal cultures
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Tubular photobioreactor design for algal cultures
Journal of Biotechnology 92 (2001) 113–131
E. Molina, J. Ferna´ndez, F.G. Acie´n, Y. Chisti
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Almer?´a, E- 04071 Almeria, Spain
Received 13 June 2000; received in revised form 6 October 2000; accepted 13 October 2000
Abstract
Principles of fluid mechanics, gas–liquid mass transfer, and irradiance controlled algal growth are integrated intoa method for designing tubular photobioreactors in which the culture is circulated by an airlift pump. A 0.2 m3photobioreactor designed using the proposed approach was proved in continuous outdoor culture of the microalgaPhaeodactylum tricornutum. The culture performance was assessed under various conditions of irradiance, dilutionrates and liquid velocities through the tubular solar collector. A biomass productivity of 1.90 g l?1 d?1 (or 32 g m?2d?1) could be obtained at a dilution rate of 0.04 h?1. Photoinhibition was observed during hours of peak irradiance;the photosynthetic activity of the cells recovered a few hours later. Linear liquid velocities of 0.50 and 0.35 m s?1 inthe solar collector gave similar biomass productivities, but the culture collapsed at lower velocities. The effect ofdissolved oxygen concentration on productivity was quantified in indoor conditions; dissolved oxygen levels higher orlower than air saturation values reduced productivity. Under outdoor conditions, for given levels of oxygensupersaturation, the productivity decline was greater outdoors than indoors, suggesting that under intense outdoorillumination photooxidation contributed to loss of productivity in comparison with productivity loss due to oxygeninhibition alone. Dissolved oxygen values at the outlet of solar collector tube were up to 400% of air saturation.
Original source here (PDF)
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Optical fibre photobioreactor for enhanced production of Isochrysis aff. galbana T-Iso (UTEX LB 2307) (marine unicellular alga ) rich in docosahex
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An optical fibre photobioreactor for enhanced production of the marine unicellular alga Isochrysis aff. galbana T-Iso (UTEX LB 2307) rich in docosahexaenoic acid
Journal - Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publisher - Springer Berlin / Heidelberg
Issue - Volume 39, Numbers 4-5 / July, 1993
Category - Biotechnology
DOI - 10.1007/BF00205032
SpringerLink Date - Wednesday, November 24, 2004
J. Grant Burgess1, Kaori Iwamoto1, Yuki Miura1, Hiroyuki Takano1 and Tadashi Matsunaga1
(1)
Department of Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 184 Koganei, Tokyo, Japan
Received: 30 November 1992 Accepted: 2 February 1993
Abstract
We have screened six species of marine microalga for their ability to produce the important dietary lipid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Isochrysis aff. galbana T-Iso (UTEX LB 2307), which produced DHA in the highest quantities (5.4 mg-g–1), was grown in a new type of closed photobioreactor in which efficient light distribution was achieved using light-diffusing optical fibres. The optimal temperature and light intensity for DHA production were determined and a maximal DHA production of 4.3 mg-l was achieved, twofold greater than that obtained using conventional culture methods. In addition, the DHA content could be enhanced by low temperature or dark incubation of the culture after growth.
Original source link here - Springer Link
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Effect of photobioreactor inclination on biomass productivity of outdoor algal culture
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Effect of photobioreactor inclination on the biomass productivity of an outdoor algal culture
Yuan-Kun Lee *, Chin-Seng Low
Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 0511
*Correspondence to Yuan-Kun Lee, Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 0511
Keywords - tubular-loop photobioreactor • orientation • Chlorella pyrenoidosa • biomass productivity
Abstract
The profiles of photon flux density incidented on a tubularloop photobioreactor in the day could be altered by inclining the bioreactor at an angle with the horizontal. The photon flux density at noon decreased with increasing angle of inclination, whereas the photon flux density in the early morning and late afternoon increased with increasing angle of inclination. The overall photosynthetic radiance received by the bioreactor inclined at 0, 25, 45, and 80° was 1:0.89:0.77:0.62. Regardless of the angle of bioreactor inclination, the overall biomass output rate of a fed-batch culture over an 8-h/day period was comparable (26-36 g-biomass m-2 bioreactor surface area day-1). As a bioreactor inclined at an angle occupied smaller land area, and daily biomass output rate per land area of a bioreactor inclined at 80° (130 g-biomass m-2 land) was about six times of that obtainable at horizontal position (21-g biomass m-2 land). The bioenergetics growth yield from the absorbed photosynthetic radiance was not a constant but an inverse function of the photon flux density. The quasi-steady state chlorophyll content of the Chlorella cells varied between 36 and 63 mg g-1 cells. Photoinhibition of the maximum photosynthetic capacity was not observed in this study.
Received: 28 November 1990; Accepted: 22 March 1991
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Design, performance of ?-type tubular photobioreactor for microalgae mass cultivation
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Design and performance of an ?-type tubular photobioreactor for mass cultivation of microalgae
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue -
Volume 7, Number 1 / February, 1995
DOI - 10.1007/BF00003549
SpringerLink Date - Saturday, July 29, 2006
Design and performance of an ?-type tubular photobioreactor for mass cultivation of microalgae
Yuan-Kun Lee1, Sun-Yeun Ding1, Chin-Seng Low1, Yoon-Ching Chang2, Wayne L. Forday2 and Poo-Chin Chew3
(1)
Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore, 0511
(2)
Department of Biotechnology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, 535 Clementi Road, Singapore, 2159
(3)
Gold Coin Services Singapore Pte Ltd, 14 Jalan Tepong, Singapore, 2261
Received: 25 April 1994 Revised: 28 September 1994 Accepted: 2 October 1994
Abstract
A ?-shape tubular photobioreactor was designed and constructed based on knowledge of algal growth physiology using sunlight. The algal culture is lifted 5 m by air to a receiver tank. From the receiver tank, the culture flows down parallel polyvinyl-chloride tubes of 25 m length and 2.5 cm internal diameter, placed at an angle of 25 ° with the horizontal to reach another set of air riser tubes. Again the culture is lifted 5 m to another receiver tank, then flows down parallel tubes connected to the base of the first set of riser tubes. Thus, the bioreactor system looks like the symbol ?. As there is no change in the direction of the liquid flow, high liquid flow rate and Reynolds Number can be achieved at relatively low air flow rate in the riser tubes. Due to the high area-volume ratio of the bioreactor, and equable photosynthetically available radiance and culture temperature, biomass density of exceeding 10 g dry weight L-1 and daily output rate of 72 g dry weight m-2 land d-1 were achieved.
Key words photobioreactor - microalgae - design performance
Original Springer Link here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Productivity and photosynthetic efficiency ofSpirulina platensis as affected by light intensity, algal density and rate of mixing in a flat plate phot
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Productivity and photosynthetic efficiency ofSpirulina platensis as affected by light intensity, algal density and rate of mixing in a flat plate photobioreactor
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Issue - Volume 8, Number 2 / March, 1996
DOI - 10.1007/BF02186317
Pages - 139-145
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Productivity and photosynthetic efficiency ofSpirulina platensis as affected by light intensity, algal density and rate of mixing in a flat plate photobioreactor
Hu Qiang1 and Amos Richmond1
(1)
Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Sede Boker Campus, 84990, Israel
Received: 14 February 1996 Revised: 20 May 1996 Accepted: 22 May 1996
Abstract The effect of the rate of mixing on productivity of algal mass in relation to photon flux density and algal concentration was quantitatively evaluated in cultures ofSpirulina platensis grown in a newly designed flat-plate photobioreactor. Special emphasis was placed on elucidating the principles underlying efficient utilization of high photon flux density for maximal productivity of algal-mass. Whereas the rate of mixing exerted little influence on productivity and photosynthetic efficiency in cultures of relatively low algal density, its effect became ever more significant as algal concentration was increased. Maximal mixing-enhanced cell concentrations and productivity of biomass were obtained at the highest light intensity used. At each level of incident light intensity, maximum productivity and photosynthetic efficiency could be achieved only when algal concentration and mixing rates were optimized. The higher the intensity of the light source, the higher became the optimal culture density, highest algal concentrations and productivity of biomass being obtained at the highest light intensity used. The rate of mixing required careful optimization: when too low, maximal productivity resulting from the most efficient utilization of light could not be obtained. Too high a rate of mixing resulted in cell damage and reduced output rate.
Key words Spirulina platensis - mixing rate - light intensity - algal density - photobioreactor - productivity - photosynthetic efficiency
Original Springer Link source here
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
High-density photoautotrophic algal cultures: Design, construction, and operation of a novel photobioreactor system
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High-density photoautotrophic algal cultures: Design, construction, and operation of a novel photobioreactor system
Author(s): Javanmardian, MinooPalsson, Bernhard O.
Issue Date: 5-Dec-1991
Publisher: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
Citation:
Javanmardian, Minoo; Palsson, Bernhard O. (10)."High-density photoautotrophic algal cultures: Design, construction, and operation of a novel photobioreactor system." Biotechnology and Bioengineering 38: 1182-1189.
Abstract
A photobioreactor system has been designed, constructed and implemented to achieve high photosynthetic rates in high-density photoautotrophic algal cell suspensions. This unit is designed for efficient oxygen and biomass production rates, and it also can be used for the production of secreted products. A fiber-optic based optical transmission system that is coupled to an internal light distribution system illuminates the culture volume uniformly, at light intensities of 1.7 mW/cm 2 over a specific surface area of 3.2 cm 2 /cm 3 . Uniform light distribution is achieved throughout the reactor without interfering with the flow pattern required to keep the cells in suspension. An on-line ultrafiltration unit exchanges spent with fresh medium, and its use results in very high cell densities, up to 10 9 cells/mL [3% (w/v)] for eukaryotic green alga chlorella vulgaris . DNA histograms obtained form flow cytometric analysis reveal that on-line ultrafiltration influences the growth pattern. Prior to ultrafiltration the cells seem to have at a particular point in the cell cycle where they contain multiple chromosomal equivalents. Following ultrafiltration, these cells divide, and the new cells are committed to division so that cell growth resumes. The Prototype photobioreactor system was operated both in batch and in continuous mode for over 2 months. The measured oxygen production rate of 4-6 mmol/L culture h under continuous operation is consistent with th
Original source link and full report here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
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algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Flat inclined modular photobioreactor for outdoor mass cultivation of photoautotrophs
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A flat inclined modular photobioreactor for outdoor mass cultivation of photoautotrophs
Qiang Hu 1, Hugo Guterman 2, Amos Richmond 1 *
Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurlon University of the Negey, Sede Boker 84990, Israel2Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurlon University, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva, Israel
*Correspondence to Amos Richmond, Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory, The Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negey, Sede Boker 84990, Israel
Keywords - photobioreactor • solar irradiance • diffuse light • cell density • biomass productivity • Monodus subterraneus • Anabaena siamensis • Spirulina platensis
Abstract
A flat inclined modular photobioreactor (FIMP) for mass cultivation of photoautotrophic microorganisms is described. It consists of flat glass reactors connected in cascade facing the sun with the proper tilt angles to assure maximal exposure to direct beam radiation. The optimal cell density in reference to the length of the reactor light path was evaluated, and the effect of the tilt angle on utilization of both direct beam as well as diffuse sunlight was quantitatively assessed. The mixing mode and extent were also optimized in reference to productivity of biomass. The FIMP proved very successful in supporting continuous cultures of the tested species of photoautotrophs, addressing the major criteria involved in design optimization of photobioreactors: Made of fully transparent glass, inclined toward the sun and endowed with a high surface-to-volume ratio, it combines an optimal light path with a vigorous agitation system. The maximal exposure to the culture to solar irradiance as well as the substantial control of temperature facilitate, under these conditions, a particularly high, extremely light-limited optimal cell density. The integrated effects of these growth conditions resulted in record volumetric and areal output rates of Monodus subterraneus, Anabana siamensis, and Spirulina platensis.
Original source and ordering info here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Mixotrophic growth ofChlorella sorokiniana in outdoor enclosed photobioreactor
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Mixotrophic growth ofChlorella sorokiniana in outdoor enclosed photobioreactor
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Subject - Biomedical and Life Sciences
Issue -
Volume 8, Number 2 / March, 1996
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Yuan-Kun Lee1, Sun-Yeun Ding1, Chye-Hock Hoe1 and Chin-Seng Low1
(1)
Department of Microbiology, National University of Singapore, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119260
Received: 5 January 1996 Revised: 29 March 1996 Accepted: 2 April 1996
Abstract
Chlorella sorokiniana was cultured in heterotrophic or mixotrophic mode in outdoor enclosed tubular photobioreactor. The culture temperature was maintained at 32–35 °C. At night, theChlorella culture grew heterotrophically, and 0.1 M glucose was completely consumed. The biomass growth yield of glucose was 0.35 ± 0.001 g-biomass g-glucose–1. During the day, the algal culture grew mixotrophically and the biomass growth yield was 0.49 g-biomass g-glucose–1 in low density culture (initial biomass concentration, Xo = 2 g l–1), 0.56 g-biomass g-glucose–1 in medium density culture (Xo = 4 g l–1) and 0.46 g-biomass g-glucose–1 in high density culture (Xo = 7 g l–1). The daily area productivity of the culture, with Xo = 4 g l–1 corresponded to 127 g-biomass m–2 d–1 during the day and 79 g-biomass m–2 d–1 during the night. In all the cultures, the dissolved O2 concentration increased in the morning, reached the maximum value at noon, and then decreased in the afternoon. The dissolved CO2 concentration remained at 3 mBar in the morning and increased in the afternoon. Glycolate was not found to accumulate in culture medium.
Key words mixotrophic - photosynthetic - Chlorella - outdoor culture - enclosed photoreactor
Original SpringerLink page here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Biotechnology of algal biomass production: review of outdoor mass culture systems
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture
Journal - Journal of Applied Phycology
Publisher - Springer Netherlands
Subject - Biomedical and Life Sciences
Issue - Volume 5, Number 6 / December, 1993
SpringerLink Date - Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Biotechnology of algal biomass production: a review of systems for outdoor mass culture
Daniel Chaumont1
(1)
Centre de Cadarache, Département de Physiologie Végétale et Ecosystèmes, Section d'Ecophysiologie en Conditions Contrôlées, Groupe d'Ecotechnie, Bâtiment 177, 13108 Saint Paul les Durance Cedex, France
Received: 19 July 1993 Revised: 16 August 1993 Accepted: 17 August 1993
Abstract
Microalgae are very efficient solar energy converters and they can produce a great variety of metabolites. Man has always tried to take advantage of these proporties through algal mass culture. Despite the fact that many applications for microalgae have been described in the literature, these micro-organisms are still of minor economic importance. Industrial reactors for algal culture are at present, all designed as open race-ways (shallow open ponds where culture is circulated by a paddle-wheel). Technical and biological limitations of these open systems have given rise to the development of enclosed photoreactors (made of transparent tubes, sleeves or containers and where light source may be natural or artificial). The present review surveys advances in these two technologies for cultivation of microalgae. Starting from published results, the advantages and disadvantages of open systems and closed photobioreactors are discussed. A few open systems are presented for which particularly reliable results are available. Emphasis is then put on closed systems, which have been considered as capital intensive and are justified only when a fine chemical is to be produced.
Key words microalgae - culture systems - race-ways - photobioreactors - mass culture - algal biotechnology
Original Springer Link page and ordering info here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Cultivation-Open-Pond, Algae-Photobioreactor
A Chat with Greenfuel Technologies' Jack Lewnard - Autopia Blog
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
A Chat with Greenfuel Technologies' Jack Lewnard
Posted at http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/02/algae_talk_a_ch.html by Mark Durham
An interview with Jack Lewnard, VP of Process Development at Greenfuel Technologies in Cambridge, Massachussetts
Excerpts:
1. Greenfuel is one of the first algae-based biofuel companies that uses algae bioreactor technology to convert CO2 from smokestack emissions to biofuels.
2. Greenfuel's closed-bioreactor system can be tuned to generate either biodiesel, ethanol, or methane
3. The key variable is the species of algae, which is selected according to the target biofuel. For biodiesel, a high-lipid species is chosen. For ethanol, you're looking for high starches; for methane, optimal anaerobic digestion of the biomass.
4. In some instances, 80 percent of daytime CO2 recapture rate has been observed by GreenFuels
5. Lewnard has been asked to present at the annual meeting of the National Academy for the Advancement of Sciences in San Francisco later this month.
Full article here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Photobioreactor
First algae being grown in Mookgopong bioreactor, South Africa
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
First algae being grown in Mookgopong bioreactor
Cremer Media's Engineering News Online, Dec 2006
Excerpts:
1. With the imminent release of South Africa's long-awaited national biofuels strategy, biodiesel producer De Beers Fuel has showcased a new technology that could significantly increase the country's capacity to produce biofuels.
2. Technology introduced by the company in partnership with GreenFuel Technologies and Green Star Products of the US, in Mookgopong in Limpopo, involves the growing of algae as feedstock for biofuels production. Biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas can be produced from the algae.
3. The company's ambitious expansion plans involve the production of sufficient feedstock to produce between 16-billion and 24-billion litres of biodiesel in the next five years.
4. South Africa currently uses about 8,1-billion litres of diesel a year
5. Bioreactors can be installed at power and industrial plants to recycle CO2 emissions
6. Using GreenFuel Technology's algae bioreactor system connected to APS's 1 040-MW Redhawk power plant in Arlington, Arizona, GreenFuel was able to create a carbon-rich algal biomass.
7. De Beers Fuel is part of the Global Renewable Energy Efficiency Network (Green), which is headquartered in Johannesburg. Green-Fuels Technologies has signed an agreement with Green to license its proprietary technology to the company.
8. Plans are under way for Green to deploy a fuel assessment unit at the Kelvin power station, in Johannesburg.
7. The national South African biofuels strategy will likely entail a mandatory 5% blending ratio for biodiesel (known as B5) and a 10% mandatory blending ratio for bio-ethanol into petrol, known as E10.
See full report here
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
To facilitate exploration of oil production from algae as well as exploration of other alternative energy avenues, Oilgae provides web links, directory, and related resources for algae-based biofuels / biodiesel along with inputs on new inventions, discoveries & breakthroughs in other alternative energy domains such as solar, wind, nuclear, hydro, geothermal, hydrogen & fuel cells, gravitational, geothemal, human-powered, ocean & wave / tidal energy. We hope Oilgae proves to be useful as a research information & inputs resources, and as a source of news & info for business & trade of algal oil, algal fuels & new alternative energy products - specially with regard to new feedstock / feedstocks, production processes and uses, and market info such as price / prices, data & statistics
Valcent Products Inc. Develops "Clean Green" Bio-reactor
You are at: Oilgae Blog; See also: Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from AlgaePress release: (taken from Market wire)
Valcent Products Inc. (OTCBB: VCTPF) announced today that it has developed a proprietary high density vertical bio-reactor for the mass production of oil bearing algae. While removing large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere This new bio-reactor is tailored to grow a species of algae that yields a large volume of high grade vegetable oil, which is very suitable for blending with diesel to create a bio-diesel fuel.
The system consists of a series of closely spaced vertical bio-reactors constructed of thin film membranes allowing high levels of light penetration. The membrane is configured for an optimum flow for the growth of algae. This dynamic system produces much higher algae growth rates than conventional static systems. When fully operational, the system yields a constant supply of algae which is harvested, dried and processed to remove the oil, leaving a residue of some 50% by weight, which can also be sold for a variety of commercial products. The system will be a closed loop, which allows for a greater retention of water in the system, and eliminates cross contamination by other algae species.
For purposes of comparison only, an acre of corn will yield approximately 18 gallons per acre per year of oil, whereas Valcent's new system, using extrapolated data from its own test bed facility, indicates a production yield of up to 150,000 gallons per acre per year. In doing so, up to 90% of the algae, by weight, is sequestered CO2, which will become an additional revenue source, either in the emerging voluntary green credit markets within the USA, or under the Kyoto protocols elsewhere.
Today Valcent announced that it has entered into an agreement with Global Green Solutions Inc. Who will fund the next phase of development of the technology including the completion and testing of a fully operational demonstration pilot plant over the next 9 months. Global Green expects to invest approximately $2,500,000 in development and has named the joint venture "Vertigro". In consideration of their investment GGRN will earn a 70% joint venture interest while Valcent's 30% interest will be wholly carried for commercial industrial use. Valcent retained the right to carry Global Green for a 30% Joint Venture interest if Valcent elects to produce a model for a consumer market. The joint venture interest are subject to third party royalties of 4.5%. Doug Frater, CEO of Global Green, noted, "We are experiencing significant early interest for Vertigro from power utilities, oil and gas production and petrochemical companies, as well as international government institutions. We are looking forward to working with Valcent's engineering group during the commercialization process."
Glen Kertz, CEO of Valcent, also commented, "In addition to its obvious commercial advantages, we are gratified to be assisting in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while producing a secure source of energy within the USA. We are also proud to note that Vertigro plants will not be built on existing agricultural lands." He also noted, "The development of this product could be a big step towards improving our environment, by creating cleaner air, and producing bio-diesel fuels in a dramatically more efficient and less costly method."
Valcent Products Inc. designs and creates some of the most technologically advanced and highest quality products on the market today - products that not only improve quality of life, but promote overall good health. With targeted innovation, the company creates products that everyone will use every day. Valcent is committed to providing superior products and services which provide explicit and definable benefits while advantageously interacting with the environment. By sound application of these principles, Valcent's scope and abilities range from daily use consumer products to global environmental projects, all of which address large and proven markets.
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
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algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Photobioreactor
Solix Biofuels
You are @ the Oilgae - Oil from Algae blog. See here for Oilgae Blog HomeCame across a company by name Solix Biofuels in a yahoo mail group on oil from algae ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oil_from_algae/ ) ...the note states that Solix Biofuels is a developer of massively scalable photo-bioreactors for the production of biodiesel and other valuable bio-commodities from algae. The Company is currently building its prototype reactor at Colorado State University and developing the
biological systems (algae strains) in order to commercialize the production of oil from algae
Not able to find much more about the company at this stage, am afraid, but perhaps worth keeping a lookout for more news from the co?
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
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algOS - Open Source Movement for Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae.com - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Grow Your Own? American Scientist Online
Here is a balanced article on the possibilities of (and problems with) algal biodiesel...Author: David Schneider, Magazine: American Scientist Online.Useful read.
Summary & excerpts
1. ...ethanol, which contains only two-thirds the energy of gasoline gallon for gallon, whereas biodiesel ends up being only 2 percent less fuel-efficient than petroleum-based diesel.
2. Conservationists have been warning that palm oil production poses a dire threat to the dwindling population of orangutans, for example, which exist in the wild only in Borneo and Sumatra.
3. Some varieties of algae can contain 50 percent or more oil, and grow much more rapidly than ordinary cultivars—with doubling times that can be as short as several hours.
4...challenges involved in devising a bioreactor that costs little and supports sufficient productivity that excessive land use is not a factor.
5. ...productivities of about 100 grams of algae per meter squared per day (about three times what was demonstrated during the Aquatic Species Program) is needed to achieve commercial viability...
6. "It's no real difficult feat to turn nutrients into algae," says Kent SeaTech's director of research, Jon C. Van Olst, "but how do you get it out of the water? They are almost impossible to harvest."
7. "Growing algae is cheap...but certainly not as cheap as growing palm oil."
8. ..."In the laboratory, you can create some very efficient bioreactors, but it just isn't scalable"...Asked whether biodiesel will ever be made this way: "Not from microalgae—I just can't see it."
Companies & individuals mentioned:
Cos/organizations: US EPA, US DoE & Aquatic Species Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Veridium Corp., GreenFuel Technologies, Kent SeaTech Corporation, John R. Benemann, Cyanotech Corporation
Persons: Michael S Briggs, David J Bayless, Isaac Berzin, Jon C. Van Olst, John R. Benemann, Gerald R. Cysewski
Read the full article here
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algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae.com - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Photobioreactor
Plankton to Provide Clean Oil - Spanish Research Study
Got this link suggestion from Michael Cohen, a faculty at Sonoma State University, California - thanks!Plankton to Provide Clean Oil - see full news item
"A system for producing energy from marine algae, to replace fossil fuels and reduce pollution, has been developed by Spanish researchers and will be operational in late 2007...
...Biofuel Systems SL (BFS), the Spanish company developing the project, told IPS that "the system will produce massive amounts of biopetroleum from phytoplankton, in a limited space and at a very moderate cost."
The executive explained that the photo-bioreactor to be produced by his company is not the same thing as algae-based biodiesel projects from other countries...
BFS, with the support of the University of Alicante, "has designed a totally new system for producing biopetroleum -- not biodiesel -- by means of an energy converter," he explained.
--end of article...
I would request you to read the article in full from the link provided above, it provides some useful data
What is really intriguing is the claim that they can produce bio-petroleum from these phytoplanktons...Guess I need to do some more reading in this regard, since from what I have learnt, the triglyceride present in the feedstock such as fixed oils and algae oil can be converted into biodiesel though transesterification, I am not aware of a process that converts these oils into petroleum/gasoline. I'd be grateful if anyone of you could provide some details in this regard
Have a nice day
Btw, have you checked out the new open source project for biodiesel from Algae we have kicked off at Algae? Admittedly, this is just a thought and an experiment at this stage, but we have been getting quite a few enthusiastic responses, do check out algOS - Oil from Algae Open Source @ Oilgae
Ec
Oilgae.com - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Photobioreactor
