An Algal Biofuels Consortium

Algae as a Renewable Energy Source: Challenges and Progress

Work Funded By US DOE Bioenergy Technology Office, DE-EE0003046

This presentation does not contain any proprietary, confidential, or otherwise restricted information

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José A. OlivaresLos Alamos National Laboratory

LA-UR-14-23468

Algae Biomass SummitSan Diego, CA

Oct. 1, 2014

Purpose of NAABB

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NAABB is developing and demonstrating the science and technology that will significantly increase production of algal biomass and lipids, efficiently harvest and extract algae and algal products, and establish valuable

conversion routes to fuels and co-products.

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NAABB Members

NAABB R&D Framework

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R&D Framework with High Level Outcomes

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Sustainability Advanced System-level Models

New Strain Isolation and Development

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Selecting for improved algal strains:

• Over 2,200 independent algal isolates were collected across the US. More than 60 strains were identified that out performed bench mark production algal strains.

• 30 of the best strains deposited into UTEX

• New micro-GC/MS techniques were developed for measuring lipid quantity and fatty acid profiles

• A genetic bar-coding system was developed for tracking algal strains

1. Sample

2. Isolate

3. Screen

4. Characterize

5. Validate

Increased Productivity Through Transgenics

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• Transgenic algae with self-adjusting light-harvesting antenna

• NABCAO lines self-adjust their Chl a/b ratios and peripheral light-harvesting antenna size

• Response to changing light levels or culture densities• Chlorophyll a/b ratios ranged from 4.2 (day 6) to 3.4 (Day

12) for the best performing strain (NABCAO 77).

• Cultivation• The ARID raceway system has been shown to

be cost – CAPEX > 8% OPEX < 45%

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• A commercial photobioreactor system that mimics a pond environment has been developed and a start-up company, Phenometrics, initiated

Advanced AgroBioFuels, LLC

• Harvesting• Current bottlenecks to cost effective production of biofuels from

algae – traditional is centrifuge

• Need to concentrate from 1 g/L to 40 or 100 g/L prior to extraction

Filtration

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Acoustic Focusing

Electrocoagulation

• Technologies for M1: Demonstrate 100L/hr

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• Conversion Lipid Extracts to Fuels

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• Combined HTL & CHG Conversion of Whole Algae

HTL

HY

DR

OT

RE

AT

FR

AC

TIO

NA

TE

CHG

HTL Bio-oil

HTL Effluent Water

Hydrotreated Oil

Jet Diesel Heavy

Fractionated Oil

CHG Effluent Water

Whole Algae Feedstock

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Characterization of Jet Fuel from HTL Conversion

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• Value of LEA for Shrimp and Fish Feed

• Based on fractions of energy, protein, fat, etc. in LEA

and whole algae; the value of these ingredient in

mariculture rations are:– Whole algae averages $82/ton more than soybean meal – about $373/ton in 2013

– LEA averages $94/ton less than soybean meal – about $200/ton in 2013

– A non-market advantage of feeding LEA to mariculture is it replaces a portion of fishmeal in the

ration thus protecting the ocean’s fish population

0

200

400

600

800

1000

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1400

$/To

n

Time

Spirulina maxima NO floc Menhaden Fishmeal

0

100

200

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$/To

n

Time

Spirulina maxima NO floc Soybean meal (high protein)

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NAABB Scenarios for Overall Economic Feasibility

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$7.50/gal

• Critical Factors for Future Success

Priority IImprove Biomass Productivity

Target: 2-4 X Increase (g/m2)

• Transfer genes to production organisms

• Validate GMO strain outdoors• Reduce pond crashes

• Optimize HTL processing/upgrading• Integrate with CHG Processing• Enable Nutrient Recycle

Priority 2 Improve Extraction-

Conversion YieldTarget: 2 X Increase in

Yield

Priority 3Improve Cultivation-Harvesting Efficiency

Target: 1.5X • Reduce energy &

extend season• H2O and CO2

management• Demonstrate

harvesting scale-up

Integration ToolsGrowth modelsResource

Assessment ModelsSensitivity analysis

to optimize conversion systems

Tools to optimize algae to climate conditions

LCA for recycle of water nutrients and energy balances

• >100 scientific publications

• Five theses

• New Journal: ALGAL RESEARCH (by Elsevier)

• New Conference Series: International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts

• Deposited 30 most productive algae strains into UTEX culture collection

• 33 Intellectual Property Disclosures

- Molecular biology tools – 10

- Cultivation – 5

- Harvesting and Extraction – 7

- Fuel conversion – 8

- Co-products and other – 3

• 2 New Companies

Advanced AgroBioFuels, LLC

NAABB Accomplishments

Condition (depth, culture, light, te

mp, CO 2,

etc.)

Strain, Mutant, Culture mix etc

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http://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/downloads/national-alliance-advanced-biofuels-and-bioproducts-synopsis-naabb-final