future fuels - algae - university of texas at austin
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Future Fuels - Algae
Norman M. WhittonChE 359/3846 November 2008
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Norm Whitton
BChE, BChem, Univ of Minn 1982MBA, Univ of Houston, 1985Petroleum and Chemical Industry
12 years at Conoco and DuPontManagement Consulting
10 years at Arthur D. LittleEntrepreneur
4 years starting new businesses in oil, refining and biodiesel
Algae Entrepreneur3 years in Austin, collaborating with University of Texas
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Sunrise Ridge Operations
University of TexasAlgae selection / cultureSpecies engineering Separation
City of AustinPilot plant sitePotential expansion
State of TexasETF investment
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeThe Promise of AlgaePhotosynthesisGeneric Production ProcessesAlgae SpeciesCommodity Products
Current State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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How Fast ? How Bad?
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Peak Oil 3Q2005 – Cantarell Field
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More Problems
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Renewable Liquid Fuels
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Why We Like Algae
Doesn’t compete with food
Reduces greenhouse gas
Does not require arable land, rain or irrigation
Oil Yield, Gal / Acre / Year
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
Future Algae
AlgaePalm
Jatropha
RapeSoy
Sunrise Ridge Technology Focus
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Algae – Drive Train Compatibility
Algal Oil – Conventional Diesel Drive TrainsPotentially compatible with existing liquid fuel industryCrude oil pipelinesBiodiesel or traditional petroleum refineriesProduce diesel fuel, which is in short supply worldwideWide application in trucks, cars, rail, ships; possibly to aircraftLittle or no change required for end-users
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Value Chain
Oil FieldOil Field RefineryBlending and Distribution
Animal Feed Mill
Biodiesel Plant
Algae FarmAlgae Farm
OilOil
ByProductByProduct
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Photosynthesis
1-3% efficient
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Photosynthesis
BiomassH2O + CO2 + ~8-10 hv (CH2O) + O2
Redfield Ratio106 Carbon
16 Nitrogen1 Phosphorus
Silicon (diatoms)
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Micronutrients
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Cell Division and Growth
Exponential Growth
Typically matched to diurnal cycleOne to six divisions per day (doublings)
Exponential
Stationary
Lag
Time
Cul
ture
Den
sity
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Solar Algae Production Process
Species + Nutrients
Water
Solar Algae Farm
Separations &
Processing
Waste Treatment
Product LogisticsCO2
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Fermentation Processes
Species + Nutrients
Water
Dark Algae Tanks
Separations &
Processing
Waste Treatment
Product LogisticsSugar
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CO2 - Electric Conversion
Species + Nutrients
Water
Algae PBR
Separations &
Processing
Waste Treatment
Product LogisticsCO2
Electric Lights (LEDs)
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Algae Species• Estimated fifty thousand to hundreds of thousands of species• High genetic diversity, rapid mutation rates• Ubiquitous• Range in size from 2 microns (cyanobacteria) to macro (kelp)
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Algae Species
Neochloris alveroteras
Botryococcus brauneiiAnkistrodesmus arcuatus
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Cell Components• Cell walls and membranes
• Fatty acids• Sugar / protein binders• Silica (diatoms)• Not much cellulose
• Nucleus• Sugars and nucleic acids
• Proteins
• Pyrenoid• Starches and sugars
• Organelles• DNA, proteins, cell membranes
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Algae Products
HawaiiCalifornia (Salton Sea)New MexicoIsraelSoutheast Asia
Vitamins (A, B)Omega 3 Fatty AcidsDyesDrugs
TriglyceridesMixed OilsCarbohydratesProteins / Amino AcidsEthanol / Lactic AcidOther Chemical FeedstocksAnimal Feeds
Health supplementsSpirulinaChlorella
PigmentAstraxanthin
AquacultureSea bassShrimpMussels / Abalone
SpecialtiesCommoditiesCurrent
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of Technology
Algae Species Selection and EngineeringGreenhouse Systems (Open, Closed, Hybrid)DewateringProduct Separations
Environmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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Algae Selection
Local collectionAlgae culture collections
UT, Maryland, California, Hawaii, Japan, UKRapid screening and sequencingDesired properties
Oil productionGrowth rateSize / Harvesting Predator and disease resistance
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Oleaginous Green Algae (ASU)
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Genetic Engineering Targets
Solar efficiencyOil productionHarvesting Predator and disease resistance
ButMutation ratesEvolutionary success vs environment
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Growth Based on Temperature
Absorbance by Temperature
0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
0.350
0.400
0.450
18.6
21.6
24.4
27.3
30.2
32.9
35.9
38.5
41.4
18.6
21.6
24.4
27.3
30.2
32.9
35.9
38.5
41.4
Neochloris oleoabundans Botryococcus braunii
Temperature (°C)
Abso
rban
ce Hour 0Hour 0Hour 45Hour 93
— Hour 0
— Hour 45
— Hour 93
UTEX #1230 Absorbance by Temperature
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
21.6° 25.6° 29.0° 32.5° 35.2° 38.6° 41.5° 44.2° 47.1°
#1230 Chlorella sorokiniana
Temperature (°C)
Abso
rban
ce
Hour 0Hour 19
Results•Strain 1 grew maximally at 30-33°C and growth ceased past 36°C•Strain 2 grew fast from 35-42°C and growth ceased past 45°C•Strain 3 grew well between 29-35°C and growth ceased past 39°C
AFC Absorbance by Temperature
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
21.6° 25.6° 29.0° 32.5° 35.2° 38.6° 41.5° 44.2° 47.1°
Algae Farm Chlorella
Temperature (°C)
Abso
rban
ce
Hour 0Hour 49
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“Greenhouse” Systems
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Ponds
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Raceways
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Horizontal Closed Systems
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Vertical Closed Systems
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Light Conversion
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Species Control Failures
Bi-Culture of our desired species + blue-green cyanobacteria (filaments)
Native species + Vorticella(predator)
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Species Control Strategies
Accept whatever falls inMake the environment specialized
SalinitypHTemperature
Closed greenhouse, physical barrierPeriodic sterilizationSmall, stable, symbiotic ecology
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System Productivity
ShadingEvaporative coolingHeated / chilled water
Physical barrierSterilization protocols
100-150Closed vertical system
MixedNutrient starvation20-40, but higher oil content
Hybrid
Evaporative cooling barrier gives longer growing seasonExternal evaporative cooling required in summer
Physical barrier Salinity pH
40-60 Closed horizontal system
NoneVia salinity or pH20Open Raceway with mixing and CO2 addition
NoneNone0-5High Rate PondCO2 addition
NoneNone0-2Natural pond
Temperature ControlSpecies Controlg / m2 / dType
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Dewatering
“It looks like green paint to me!”
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Too much cost…
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New Tech Harvesting – Fish Poo
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Lysing
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“Traditional” Extraction
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Oil Content & Quality
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Other Conversion Options
AcidolysisFermentationGasificationDrying / PelletingAnaerobic Digestion
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory Issues
WaterSpeciesGenetic Engineering
Economic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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Water Issues
Saline systemsMake up water sourcesSaline water disposal
Non-saline systemsMake up waterDischarge to aquifer / aquifer qualityDischarge permits (nutrients N, P)
Large-scale farm disturbance of surface flow and aquifer recharge
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Non-native species
Invasive “pests”Texas “black list” regulations – Parks & WildlifeGlobal transportMutation and adaptationProving “Harm”Proposed “white list” regulation
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Genetically Engineered Species
Fitness improving featuresGrowth ratesPredator resistanceToxics
Fitness reducing featuresOil contentOther “toxic” productsProduct export outside the cell
Testing?Deployment?
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More regulation issuesDownstream solvent extraction / processing emissions & wastePlastic recyclingLand use and zoning
“Look and feel” of the farmsFlat land is relatively scarce – how to use contour?
Radio waves / spectrum for radio-controlled equipment in the farms
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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Challenges…
Cost: Commodity products from algae have relatively low value We must be very low in cost (capital and operating)
Scale: Sunlight is a dilute source of energy; and it’s variable We need enormous scale to make a difference (1 MMBPD ~ 1-2,000,000 acres)
Yields: Algae convert 3-4% of sunlight to biomass, which might be only 30%-40% oil.Our production systems need to maximize desirable products and revenues.
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More challenges…
Siting:Microclimates and repeatabilityCO2 source?Water and nutrients source?Land – and lots of itGet everyone to agree without destroying the project
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Orders of Magnitude…
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Techno-Economics - Assumptions
Revenue / PricesOil prices $40 – 200 / bblCarbon credits $2 – 40 / tonByproduct values $30 – 300 / ton
YieldsBiomass production rate 25 – 200 g / m2 / dayOil content 3% to >60%
Costs“Greenhouse” $0.50 - >$10 psfSeparations 0.02 - $20 / gal (product)Feedstocks / Inputs Site and process specific
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Techno-Economics - Targets
Based on our models for an “interesting”project at reasonable revenue assumptionsTargets include:
Biomass yields > 75 g / m2 / day ANDOil yields > 30%
Greenhouse cost < $2.00 psf, all in ANDSeparation cost <0.40 / gal oil, all in ANDByproduct is recovered and sold at feed value
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Target Markets
Price,$/Ton
Size, $Bn / yr
Renewable Diesel (2015)
45% Protein
1000
500
10 0 10
Vegetable OilVegetable Oil5050--70% Revenue70% Revenue
Animal FeedAnimal Feed3030--50% Revenue50% Revenue
Bio
dies
el
Ole
oche
m
65%
Pro
tein
0
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Challenges to Algae Commercialization
Techno-economicsObtaining InputsEffective OperationsObtaining PermitsPenetrating MarketsCreating Confidence
How do we make it happen?
How do we How do we make it make it happen?happen?
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers