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Title: Design and analysis of microalgal open pond systems for the purpose of producing fuels: A subcontract report

Abstract

The designs and systems developed include many innovative concepts and experiments, including the design and operation of a low-cost system. Cost-effectiveness is realized by minimizing capital costs of the system and achieving efficient use of inputs. Extensive engineering analysis of carbonation, mixing, and harvesting subsystems has elucidated both the lowest cost, most efficient options and the essential parameters needed to construct, test, and evaluate these subsystems. The use of growth ponds sealed with clay and lined with crushed rock results in construction cost savings of 50% over ponds lined with synthetic membranes. In addition a low-cost but efficient design allows improvements in technology to have maximum impact on final product cost reductions. In addition to the innovations in low-cost construction, the operational efficiency of the design is both higher and more feasible than that attained by any previous system concept of comparable scale. The water analysis has led to operational specifications that minimize water use and virtually eliminate losses of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide injection system is designed for 95% efficiency, but is still low in cost. The construction of a large-scale, covered anaerobic lagoon to recycle carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus has not been attempted atmore » the scale analyzed here. Yet efficient recycling is essential for achieving economic affordability. 23 refs., 21 figs., 53 tabs.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6546458
Report Number(s):
SERI/STR-231-2840
ON: DE87001164
DOE Contract Number:  
AC02-83CH10093
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; COST ESTIMATION; PONDS; DESIGN; UNICELLULAR ALGAE; CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES; PRODUCTION; AQUACULTURE; CARBON DIOXIDE; COMMERCIALIZATION; PH VALUE; SURFACE WATERS; ALGAE; CARBON COMPOUNDS; CARBON OXIDES; CHALCOGENIDES; MICROORGANISMS; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PLANTS; BIOMASS; CULTIVATION; PRODUCTIVITY; 140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Weissman, J C, and Goebel, R P. Design and analysis of microalgal open pond systems for the purpose of producing fuels: A subcontract report. United States: N. p., 1987. Web. doi:10.2172/6546458.
Weissman, J C, & Goebel, R P. Design and analysis of microalgal open pond systems for the purpose of producing fuels: A subcontract report. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6546458
Weissman, J C, and Goebel, R P. 1987. "Design and analysis of microalgal open pond systems for the purpose of producing fuels: A subcontract report". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6546458. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6546458.
@article{osti_6546458,
title = {Design and analysis of microalgal open pond systems for the purpose of producing fuels: A subcontract report},
author = {Weissman, J C and Goebel, R P},
abstractNote = {The designs and systems developed include many innovative concepts and experiments, including the design and operation of a low-cost system. Cost-effectiveness is realized by minimizing capital costs of the system and achieving efficient use of inputs. Extensive engineering analysis of carbonation, mixing, and harvesting subsystems has elucidated both the lowest cost, most efficient options and the essential parameters needed to construct, test, and evaluate these subsystems. The use of growth ponds sealed with clay and lined with crushed rock results in construction cost savings of 50% over ponds lined with synthetic membranes. In addition a low-cost but efficient design allows improvements in technology to have maximum impact on final product cost reductions. In addition to the innovations in low-cost construction, the operational efficiency of the design is both higher and more feasible than that attained by any previous system concept of comparable scale. The water analysis has led to operational specifications that minimize water use and virtually eliminate losses of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide injection system is designed for 95% efficiency, but is still low in cost. The construction of a large-scale, covered anaerobic lagoon to recycle carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus has not been attempted at the scale analyzed here. Yet efficient recycling is essential for achieving economic affordability. 23 refs., 21 figs., 53 tabs.},
doi = {10.2172/6546458},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6546458}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}