Managing variability in algal biomass production through drying and stabilization of feedstock blends
The uncertainty and variability of algal biomass production presents several challenges to the algal biofuel industry including equipment scaling and the ability to provide a consistent feedstock stream for conversion. Blended feedstocks containing both algal and terrestrial biomass may provide a cost-effective method to manage variability of algal biomass production. The hypothesis is that mixing of algae with terrestrial biomass has the potential to create blends with rheologic (flowability) properties similar to terrestrial feedstock and that blends with the consistency of terrestrial biomass can be dried using established low-cost drying systems. To test this hypothesis and its technical feasibility, prototype bench scale simulated drum dyers were designed and tested with blends of algae and ground pine. Scenedesmus dimorphus biomass was used as the algal feedstock, while 2 mm grind pine was used as the terrestrial feedstock. Pine was selected as the representative terrestrial feedstock to leverage independent HTL research using pine feedstock. In these studies, blends up to 60% algae produced drying curves similar to those of pine alone, and reached dryness (2% moisture) much more rapidly than algae alone. Thermogravimetric analyses performed on these feedstocks provided drying curves consistent with the simulated drum dryers. In addition, observable rheologic properties at the time of blending served as an indicator of drying performance, as those blends with texture similar to pine also dried similar to the pine control. Logistics analyses performed to determine cost and availability of feedstock materials for blending at production scale further indicate the potential of this approach. Lastly, our results indicate that blending of algae with terrestrial biomass enables the use of low cost dryers and has the potential to improve overall algal biofuel economics by capturing the value of excess biomass produced during periods of high productivity and by decoupling of algal production farms and conversion facilities.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1361414
- Alternate ID(s):
- OSTI ID: 1396632
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-15-34261; PII: S2211926416306348
- Journal Information:
- Algal Research, Vol. 24, Issue PA; ISSN 2211-9264
- Publisher:
- ElsevierCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
Optimal blending management of biomass resources used for biochemical conversion: Optimal Blending Management of Biomass
|
journal | April 2018 |
Assessing the stability and techno-economic implications for wet storage of harvested microalgae to manage seasonal variability
|
journal | April 2019 |
Similar Records
Assessing the stability and techno-economic implications for wet storage of harvested microalgae to manage seasonal variability
Algae as a Feedstock for Biofuels: An Assessment of the State of Technology and Opportunities. Final Report