US firm claims algae-to-oil commercialisation advance
11 Feb 2010
Los Angeles, California – Algae-to-oil technology company OriginOil Inc. has claimed a major step forward for the commercialisation of its technology with the unveiling a pilot system for algae growth and harvesting. The company’s developments includes an extraction system, designed to “milk” algae oil without destroying algae cultures, and a bioreactor prototype specifically designed for wastewater applications.
“Until now we have been in pure research and development. Now we have turned the corner to commercialization of our technologies.” said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO.
At the heart of the new system is a series of 200-gallon tanks which can be individually configured and managed for various strains, growth strategies, and lighting geometries. The tanks are now illuminated with LED light sticks submerged in icicle-like arrays. A stirrer circulates the algae slowly around the lights.
Once the algae reaches harvest concentration it is sent to the integrated extraction system, a combination of ultrasound generation and low-power electromagnetic pulsing (time-lapse video). This new system has a throughput of 5 gallons per minute, which easily keeps up with the daily output of the pilot system. After extraction, a series of settling tanks separates the oils and biomass for eventual use as fuel and valuable by-products. A water recycling system completes the loop so the process can start again.
The company’s Dynamic Control System manages the operation of the growth phase, releasing CO2 and other nutrients as the algae needs it. While bottled CO2 is currently used, an in-house generator is planned to test real-world scenarios where exhaust gas is processed for its CO2.
“Algae systems will be attached to wastewater plants, factories, breweries, and any other location that generates CO2,” Eckelberry concluded. “This will lead to highly distributed energy production model and will truly deliver the jobs creation that we so urgently need in this country and the world.”
