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Industry Need – Why are we doing this?
• Recent boom in algae biofuels industry (in both technology and funding)
• Industry is currently stifled by fragmented and unproven processing technologies that only address one part of the overall processing chain
Why CEM?
• Experience with process/technology integration
• Experience with multidisciplinary problems • Skilled at bridging the gap between
fundamental research and technology commercialization
Examples of other projects
“Valley of Death”
Prior Work
• Scaled up growth capability up to 2,500 gal • Built and tested technologies needed for ETE processing
– Concentration, lysing, separation and extraction – Developed measurement and quantification techniques and
procedures • Spent over 2 years processing batches of algae between
1000 – 3000 gal/batch ETE – Compiled mass / energy balance performed on ETE processing
NEXT STEP Integrate all technologies
Demonstration Scale Requirements
• End-To-End (ETE) processing capability • Capacity – up to several acres / day • Modularity – Each module can be stand-alone or
integrated • Can process all variations of growth media • Can process any growth method • Allow grower to produce/see oil at the end of the day • Mobility • Demonstrate scalability • Demonstrate economics
Integrated System: Process Map
MAP Unit V1 Images
MAP Unit V1 Images
“Valley of Death”
Contact Information
Mr. Robert Pearsall Center for Electromechanics Research Engineer (512) 232-1679 [email protected] Mr. Mike Werst Center for Electromechanics Algae Program Manager (512) 232-1604 [email protected]
