Development of Algal Biomass Yield Improvements in an Integrated Process

Technical Report · Wed Jul 18 04:00:00 EDT 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1474109· OSTI ID:1474109

Hazlebeck, Dave ^[1]; Corpuz, Rodney ^[2]; Pinowska, Agnieszka ^[2]; Rickman, Bill ^[2]; Traller, Jesse ^[2]

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1. Global Algae Innovations, San Diego, CA (United States); Global Algae Innovations
2. Global Algae Innovations, San Diego, CA (United States)

Global Algae Innovations (Global Algae) collaborated with TSD Management Associates (TSD), Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego (SIO), GE Power & Water (GE), Hawaii Bioenergy (HBE), Kuehnle AgroSystems (KAS), Texas AgriLife Research (TALR), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to increase algae oil yield and optimize unit operations in order to facilitate commercial development of algal-derived, drop-in transportation fuels. All improvements were viewed through a system-wide techno economic model to ensure the work is focused on and limited to approaches that are scalable to commercially relevant size and compatible with an overall system that is economically viable. The objectives of the proposed project were (i) to develop improved strains and cultivation methods for a 40% increase in algal biofuel intermediate yield; (ii) to develop economical, scalable, low energy pre-processing technologies for harvesting, dewatering, and extraction for an 88% reduction in the downstream processing energy; and (iii) to achieve these improvements in an integrated outdoor system that reduces the projected algae biomass production cost by 58%. All project goals were exceeded, and the project was completed on schedule and budget. Two major technology breakthroughs were achieved. The first breakthrough is an improved cultivation system approach that increases algal productivity by 80% in growth phase while simultaneously reducing the energy use for cultivation by 67%. The second is a harvesting and dewatering technology that reduces energy use by 95-99%, achieves 100% capture efficiency with crystal clear permeate, and produces a 15-20% algae slurry. The harvesting and dewatering technology was commercialized and is now available to the algae industry as the Zobi Harvester®.

• Research Organization: Global Algae Innovations, San Diego, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Bioenergy Technologies Office (EE-3B)
• DOE Contract Number: EE0006314
• OSTI ID: 1474109
• Report Number(s): DOE-GAI--06314
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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