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U.S. Department of Energy
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Fuel From Algae: Scaling and Commercialization of Algae Harvesting Technologies

Program Document ·
OSTI ID:1046659
Broad Funding Opportunity Announcement Project: Led by CEO Ross Youngs, AVS has patented a cost-effective dewatering technology that separates micro-solids (algae) from water. Separating micro-solids from water traditionally requires a centrifuge, which uses significant energy to spin the water mass and force materials of different densities to separate from one another. In a comparative analysis, dewatering 1 ton of algae in a centrifuge costs around $3,400. AVS’s Solid-Liquid Separation (SLS) system is less energy-intensive and less expensive, costing $1.92 to process 1 ton of algae. The SLS technology uses capillary dewatering with filter media to gently facilitate water separation, leaving behind dewatered algae which can then be used as a source for biofuels and bio-products. The biomimicry of the SLS technology emulates the way plants absorb and spread water to their capillaries.
Research Organization:
Algaeventure Systems
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
OSTI ID:
1046659
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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