Integrating an Industrial Source and Commercial Algae Farm with Innovative CO2 Transfer Membrane and Improved Strain Technologies
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
- Qualitas Health, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
This report describes the overall findings of the research project “Integrating an Industrial Source and Commercial Algae Farm with Innovative CO2 Transfer Membrane and Improved Strain Technologies”. The motivation and goal for this project were to increase the carbon utilization efficiency (CUE) and areal productivity for algal cultivations, thereby reducing CO2 costs to cultivation operations and improving economics. This was achieved through a combination of enhanced delivery of inorganic carbon and improved strains of Nannochloropsis oceanica capable of higher rates of bicarbonate uptake and metabolism. The project succeeded in these goals. First, a bubble-free, membrane-based technology was developed for delivering CO2 to cultivations, which increased the CUE from the 15-20% that is standard in the industry to more than 65%. In addition, N. oceanica was modified to express a bicarbonate transporter protein, BicA, which enabled the cells to grow more quickly. In addition, advances were made in the protein engineering of carbonic anhydrase (CA) for enhanced stability and catalytic performance, the computational fluid dynamics modeling of algal cultivation systems, and in the life-cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis of algal production. Together, these outcomes contribute to advancing algal cultivation as an economically viable platform for production of fuels, materials, and other chemical products. The project results aid in addressing the dual challenges of reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and achieving green energy solutions.
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0008514
- OSTI ID:
- 2572467
- Report Number(s):
- EE0008514
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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