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Algal-based Biofuels & Biofeeds:
Economic Development, A
Northeastern Perspective
Ira A. Levine, Ph.D.
Fulbright New Century Scholar
Burlington, VT
March 2010
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Acknowledgements
Funding: U.S. State Department’s Fulbright Program
Natural & Applied Science, University of Southern Maine
Department of Botany, University Delhi
Slides/Photos: Philip Penkos, U.S. N.R.E. L.
Stefan Kraan, OceanFuel, Ltd.
Ami Ben Amotz, Seambiotic
Charlie Yarish, UCONN
Don Cheney, Northeastern U.
Elizabeth Willett, Mars Symbioscience
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Why Algae?
(1) National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Algae is the most promising biodiesel feedstock
Rapid Growth RatesQuickest time to harvest
compared to other biofuel
feedstock
Highest YieldTypical yield for algae biomass
should be approximately 5,000
gallons per acre
No Competition with FoodDoesn’t require arable land;
SAB model calls for using non-
farm land adjacent to utilities
CO2 Capture and UseAlgae consume CO2 as they
grow; potential to capture power
plant exhaust
Environmental BenefitsNon-toxic, highly biodegradable,
clean-burning, safe fuel for
general use
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•Health Creams
•Lotion Additives
•Toothpaste
•Shampoo & Conditioners
•Facial Masques
•Clarifiers and Toners
•Cosmetics
COSMETICS & BEAUTY PRODUCTS
•Anti-coagulants
•Coagulants
•Agar Petrie Dishes
•Sterilizing Agents
• Iodine
•Laxatives
•Emollients
PHARMA & MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
•Protein Supplements
•Vitamin Supplements
•Blood Thinners
•DHA & EPA
•Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty acids
NEUTRICEUTICALS & DIETARY
SUPPLEMENTS
•Bioplastics & Biopaper
•Paper Stabilizers
•Marbling Techniques
•Decorative Papers and Wall Papers
•Paper adhesives & Temporary Glue
•Textile fibers and additives
PACKAGING & BIOPLASTICS
•Wastewater treatment
•Phosphorus and nitrogen removal
•Soil amendment as fibrous material
•Manure Processing and Soil Reclamations
SOIL & WATER TREATMENT/
RECLAMATION
•Bio-oil
•JP8 (Jet Fuel)
•Kerosene
•Ethanol
•Biodiesel
•Green Diesel
•Biomethane
•Biogasoline
BIOFUELS
•Domestic Animal Food supplement
•Protein Additive
•Livestock Pure Food
•Fish Food and Vitamin Supplement
•Flea and Tick Control
PET FOOD & FERTILIZERS
•Cooking Oils
•Protein Bars & Supplements
•Algal Flours & “Grains”
•Baby Formula
•Thickeners & Coagulants
•Gelling Agents
FOOD & SNACKS
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The Algae Commercial Process
Algae Strain
Optimized for
Biodiesel
Carbon Dioxide –
Waste Heat and
Cooling
Bioreactor Dewatering
Drying
Delipidation
Algae Strain
Optimized for
Animal Feed
Pelletized
High-Value Cattle Feed
($0.75-1.50/lb)
Mash Animal Feed
($0.14/lb)
Biodiesel
($2.00/gallon)
Green Diesel
($2.10/gallon)
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Strategic Relationships with Power Generation & Ranching
Cogeneration
120MW gas-fired power plant
ideal site for 1 acre module facility
Fossil Fueled Power plant CO2 ideal for algae
cultivation
Double Benefit
– Food for algae
– Reduction of CO2
Opportunity to benefit from carbon credits if
cap-and-trade system
Cattle Ranch/Farms
Ideal platform to demonstrate positive impact of
algae as an animal feed on healthy fat marbling in
cattle (DHA OMEGA 3)
Proprietary, genetically optimized herd resulting
from 9 generation breeding program saves money
in feedout to put into algae purchase
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Commercial demonstration of feeding special algae to cattle increases the ratio of
healthy to unhealthy fat in the marbling in cost effective manner
Market for algae-based animal feed supplements is large
Five hundred 250 acre facilities, optimized for algae production as high value cattle feed,
supplies supplement feed for US cattle population (10,000,000) continually in feed lots
The cost of this whole algae animal feed supplement is expected to be far below the
current price of conventional algae food supplements used for pigs, chickens, dairy
Current price of similar algae is $19,000 per ton,
Projected cost, based on pilot plant yields, will be $1,500-$3,000 per ton or less.
Animal Feed Supplement Market Overview
10,000,000 cattle in US
feedlots
Each consume 25 lbs of
feed daily
If 10% were replaced by
algae…
…4.5mm tons of algae
supplements would be
needed annually
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Marbling: Fatty Acid composition
Fatty acid composition of intramuscular (IM) fat:
~ 50% Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA)
~ 35-45% Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA)
~ 5% Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)
New breedline of cattle
50%
45%
5%
SFA
MUFA
PUFA
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Genetics
Nutrition:
Corn based diet => typical saturated/unsaturated ratio
Grass-based diet => increased MUFA, omega-3 and CLA
Algal supplementation => better than grass alone.
Ongoing PUFA feed trials
Demonstrate commercial value and sales of algae for cattle feed as higher value than biofuels
Algae may increase cost of commercial cow $100
Manipulating fatty acid composition
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Agricultural Byproducts
Fossil Fuel
Processing
Waste Disposal
Biomass Burning
Residential/Commercial
Annual Methane Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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Smith Algae Biofuels, Inc.
405-235-0900
DHA laden Algae & Green House Gas Reduction
22% of world methane GHG release due to cattle eructation & exhalation (98%), and flatus (2%). Producing 91 kg methane/head/year
Algae high in DHA fed to ruminants reduced methane up to 80%
Acetate + propionate + Butyrate + H2 + CO2
Methanobrevibacter ruminantium
Methanosarcina barkeri
Methane
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Northeastern Algae Co
Why Northeastern Algae?
Northeastern Algae represents a significant market opportunity in a fast growing sector
2nd Gen PlayerBenefit from millions invested by
1st gen partner
Large End Market
Animal feed market supports 500
algae projects in US
Strategic RelationshipsPower Generation & Cattle
Ranch
Scientific & OperationalKnow-How
Resources to select optimal algae
species, photobiological formula,
bioreactor & process
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University Southern Maine
Algal-based Biofuel/Biofeed
Cultivar Enhancement
Program
•Marine vs. Sweet Water cultivars
•Higher Lipid content
•Higher Growth Rates
•Greater Temperature Flexibility
•Specialty Chemicals and Natural
Products
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Algal culture, Delhi University
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Cultivar Inoculum
Scale Up Reactors
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1st Generation Systems
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Open pond
cultivation in
India
Parry Nutraceuticals
Simplicity Spirulina Farm
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Seambiotic
Ashkelon, Israel
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¼ mile long “V” troughs utilizing < 1 hp/acre of motor force
Adjacent to dairy farm
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First Generation Roller Bag
Bioreactor
Colorado State University
& Solix Biofuels
Plans to revive design by A2B2
18 month effort
East India
Algae - Power Plant
3000L
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Solix
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Algenol’s direct production of Ethanol
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Dewatering: 4-14%
2-10% operating expense
Harvest – Dewatering and Drying
Challenges
Cell Size 5-25 µm
Cell Density ~1
Cell Concentration 0.5-4 g/l
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Centrifugation Energy Efficiencies
Direct Centrifugation*
0.4 g/l cultures = 260% energy cost Open Pond
4.0 g/l cultures = 26% energy cost Closed Photobioreactors
50 g/l cultures = 2% energy cost Pretreatment
concentration
* = 100 hp centrifuge, 160 gpm = 5.2 kcal input energy/kcal
algal energy
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Separation & Filtration Systems
Differential filtration &
Dewatering System
AlgaeVenture
System
Separates, dewaters,
& dries
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Algae conversion to Brine Shrimp (50% metabolic conversion)
Harvested Brine Shrimp (20% oil)
Bioconversion: inexpensive harvesting (1.8% energy content)
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Thank You