International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and
Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae
Rio Tinto
EPRI
Arizona Public Services
ExxonMobil
Gas Technology Institute
ENEL Produzione Ricerca
AN R& D ROADMAP FOR MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION
Background:
• Microalgae, by nature, require sunlight for cultivation
• Only a few species currently being mass cultured in outdoor ponds
• High-value food supplements/specialty animal feeds main products
• Microalgae ponds used in wastewater treatment (but not unialgal)
• Microalgae proposed for greenhouse gas abatement
• Both open ponds and closed photobioreactors being proposed
• Major R&D programs in US (1980 -1995) and Japan (1990 -2000)
• International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse gas
Abatement with Microalgae started operation in June 2002.
AN R& D ROADMAP FOR MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION
Background:
• Microalgae, by nature, require sunlight for cultivation
• Only a few species currently being mass cultured in outdoor ponds
• High-value food supplements/specialty animal feeds main products
• Microalgae ponds used in wastewater treatment (but not unialgal)
• Microalgae proposed for greenhouse gas abatement
For larger volume products major R&D advances are required:
• Maintain specific algal strains against invaders and grazers
• Achieve high productivities of biomass and higher value products
• Develop low-cost and reliable harvesting technologies
• Must process the biomass for multiple products / services.
R&D PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS
CO2 INPUTS
CONCENTRATED
CO2 SOURCES:
• Power Plants
• Industries
• Others
ALGAL STRAINS
•
•
•
•
Genetics
Metabolism
Physiology
Ecology
SCIENCE
PROCESSES
PRODUCTS
for mitigating GHGs /
replacing fossil fuels:
• Stand-alone Systems
• Waste treatment
• Co-products
RENEWABLE FUELS AND
GHG MITIATION:
• Biofuels (CH4, ethanol,
biodiesel, H2, etc.)
• Fertilizers, biopolymers
• Clean water
MICROALGAE MASS
CULTURE SYSTEMS
• Open Ponds
• Photobioreactors
• Harvesting/
• Processing
ENGINEERING/ COST
ASSESSMENTS
• Engineering Designs
• Cost Estimates
• GHG Accounting
• Markets and Products
APPLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGIES
ANALYSIS
R & D TARGETS FOR THE NETWORK
• Isolate/select algal strains useful for mass culture
• Manage ponds for algal species and culture stability
• Maximize overall algal biomass productivity
• Maximize C-storage products and co-products
• Demonstrate large-scale, low cost algal cultivation
• Develop low cost harvesting technologies
• Processing for biofuels and higher value co-products.
• Demonstrate waste treatment - nutrient recovery
MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION PATHWAYS
•. Municipal wastewater treatment with CO2 utilization:
reduce energy use, biofuels, recycle nutrients, etc.
• Agricultural / aquacultural / industrial waste treatment
with CO2 utilization, biofuels and feed co-products.
• Nitrogen fixation and nutrient recycling for agricultural
fertilizer applications.
•. Co-production of biofuels and large volume / higher
value by- products (biopolymers, feeds, etc.)
POWER PLANT & CO2 CAPTURE (CYANOTECH)
Botryococcus braunii