International Network on Biofixation of CO2 andInternational Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with MicroalgaeGreenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae

EPRI EPRI Rio TintoRio Tinto

ExxonMobilExxonMobilArizona Public ServicesArizona Public Services

ENEL Produzione ENEL Produzione RicercaRicerca Gas Technology InstituteGas Technology Institute

AN R& D ROADMAP FOR MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION

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

AN R& D ROADMAP FOR MICROALGAE

BIOFIXATIONBackground: • 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

APPLICATIONSfor mitigating GHGs /replacing fossil fuels:• Stand-alone Systems • Waste treatment• Co-products

APPLICATIONSfor mitigating GHGs /replacing fossil fuels:• Stand-alone Systems • Waste treatment• Co-products

PROCESSES

RENEWABLE FUELS AND GHG MITIATION: • Biofuels (CH4, ethanol, biodiesel, H2, etc.) • Fertilizers, biopolymers • Clean water

RENEWABLE FUELS AND GHG MITIATION: • Biofuels (CH4, ethanol, biodiesel, H2, etc.) • Fertilizers, biopolymers • Clean water

PRODUCTSCO2 INPUTS

CONCENTRATED CO2 SOURCES: • Power Plants• Industries• Others

CONCENTRATED CO2 SOURCES: • Power Plants• Industries• Others

MICROALGAE MASS CULTURE SYSTEMS• Open Ponds• Photobioreactors• Harvesting/• Processing

MICROALGAE MASS CULTURE SYSTEMS• Open Ponds• Photobioreactors• Harvesting/• Processing

ENGINEERING/ COST ASSESSMENTS • Engineering Designs• Cost Estimates• GHG Accounting • Markets and Products

ENGINEERING/ COST ASSESSMENTS • Engineering Designs• Cost Estimates• GHG Accounting • Markets and Products

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES ANALYSIS

ALGAL STRAINS• Genetics• Metabolism• Physiology• Ecology

ALGAL STRAINS• Genetics• Metabolism• Physiology• Ecology

R & D TARGETS FOR THE NETWORK

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

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)

POWER PLANT & CO2 CAPTURE (CYANOTECH)

Botryococcus brauniiBotryococcus braunii