Research & Development Update

Research & Development Update

Cold came early to the Columbus, Ohio area bringing temperatures to near zero in December and then to nearly 20oF below in January.  Our prime power generator was installed in the middle of December and started providing electricity for our installed research cell and associated systems.  Unfortunately an oil breather port on the prime power generator froze solid during the -19oF reached in January and back pressure pushed the dip stick out of place and the generator automatically shut down once low oil was detected.  Thankfully the protection systems kept the generator from any damage.  The restart took several days and the very, very cold weather has kept the staff from installing the heat exchanger and CO2 distributor.

Without adequate external waste heat (generator will supply the waste heat) we were unable to bring the temperature to target because of the record cold temperatures.  The Algae Growth cell was in the 40oF range for most of December and January.  Vivid green algae was visible through the canopy at those temperatures, even through no nutrients have been introduced into the cell.  During the next 8 weeks full scale growth and harvesting will commence.  At least the outdoor difficulties have not impacted our indoor research, growth, testing, and experimentation, which are continuing unabated.

Micro-Algae Harvesting, Dewatering, Drying has been a bane to the industry for over 3 decades.  AlgaeVS’s highly innovative engineering staff has been researching this issue since early 2008, employing a number of different strategies.  A proof of concept for a unique new technology was successfully tested on January 12th, 2009 and a prototype device is being readied for initial testing.  Provisional patents are filed and patent applications are being readied.  Various options for commercialization of this technology are being considered.  AlgaeVS is not ready to disclose the technology, or make any claims on performance at this time – so stay turned.

Posted in Milestones | No Comments »

Algae Initiative Presentation with an Agriculture Focus: The Synergy Between Algae Farming & Anaerobic Digesters

By Norma McDonald, Phase 3

Algae cultivation requires four things: light, nutrients, proper temperature, and CO2. All of these can be provided by co-location with livestock operations which incorporate the latest technologies.

An increasing number of US farms are installing anaerobic digestion systems to provide two key benefits versus conventional land application of untreated manure: enhanced environmental management of manure, and, energy independence. The systems are best suited to farms with liquid manure like swine and dairy, but drier manures such as beef, chicken, turkey and horse manure can be mixed with the more liquid sources.
During anaerobic digestion, naturally occurring bacteria decompose the manure to produce biogas which is typically composed of about two-thirds methane (or natural gas). The biogas can be used to generate heat, electricity or be upgraded for insertion into the pipeline or used as compressed natural gas for vehicle fuel. Farms can become energy independent and obtain revenues from selling excess energy production and emission reduction credits.

After digestion, the liquid leaves the digester with several improvements: vastly reduced odor, pathogens, weed seeds, fly larvae and particulate matter. The remaining particulate matter in the effluent can be separated, leaving a warm, homogeneous liquid organic fertilizer that makes a perfect feedstock for algae cultivation. By co-locating, algae cultivation can benefit from these nutrients, and also from the thermal and electrical energy production and vented CO2. Farms can provide the necessary acres for rapid growth photobioreactors, as well as utilize the remaining liquid for irrigation. The expanded farm activities are truly synergistic.
Phase 3 Renewable’s specializes in the development and commercialization of agricultural-based conversion of waste to renewable energy and biobased products, and is collaborating with AlgaeVS AlgaeVenture to commercialize rapid and profitable growth of algae. The two companies are exploring sites for a commercial scale model in 2009.

Phase 3 brings a unique combination of knowledge and practical experience to the marketplace, with a staff that has extensive experience in biobased products including upgraded biogas, fermentation processes, anaerobic digestion, logistics, manufacturing equipment, purchasing, financial management, and marketing. Managers come from farming families, and formal qualifications include electrical, mechanical and biosystems engineering; general contracting and licensed electrical contractor.

Phase 3 has also developed a proprietary decision-support software tool, PATHWAYS 2 PROFIT™, for biogas and energy conversion plants using agricultural and other food wastes. The tool allows farmers and other producers to simultaneously examine all of the options for construction, equipment, biogas production, co-feeds, energy conversion, emission reductions, nutrient management, and funding. The tool integrates data from operating systems around the world and provides the financial and operational perspective needed to make system choices.
Phase 3 is a certified Carbon Credit Aggregator, registered with the Chicago Climate Exchange. Phase 3 is a small, women and veteran-owned and operated business. http://phase3developments.com/

Posted in Articles & Newsletters | No Comments »

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium Host Proposal of Unique Sustainable Infrastructure System

An Expert Team of Collaborators formed to submit proposal to Ohio Third Frontier
By Mike Long, Resource 100 LTD

AlgaeVS and a Who’s Who of collaborators including The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Ohio State University, Honda of America Manufacturing, The Ohio Grocers Association, Rockwell Automation, The Center for Innovative Food Technology, Makel Engineering, George J. Igel and Company and Resource100 LTD submitted a Research Commercialization Proposal for a “Scalable and Integrated Waste to Energy System” to the Third Frontier Commission on November 7th.

This unique project, when fully implemented will use an integrated and synergistic system of technologies to provide waste removal, clean water, energy and food on a small footprint of less than 5 acres. AlgaeVS’s rapid algae farm will be the hub of the system which makes the integration possible.

What brings this diverse group of organizations together is a common goal of developing sustainable infrastructures that can lead to development of a sustainable community by ensuring that the development of a zoo, community, or nation makes smart infrastructure improvements that do not deplete natural resources. Therefore, the transition and adoption of policies and actions that rely on renewable resources figure heavily into the development of sustainable infrastructures including the zoo project which AlgaeVS and the collaborators want to replicate around the globe.

The collaborators on the proposed RCP project will:

1. Receive Honda cafeteria & zoo restaurant food waste, mix it with zoo animal waste & anaerobically digest the mixture, assuring it does not go into a landfill or incinerator.
2. Produce digester gas to be converted into electricity in the Makel Engineering engine.
3. Produce compost that can be used in landscaping & food production.
4. Produce a nutrient rich liquid from the digester which will be modeled by The Ohio State University / OARDC & controlled by technology from Rockwell Automation to provide “food” for AlgaeVS’s algae farm.
5. Harvest & dewater the algae producing oil which will then be atomized & fed into the Makel engine to make electricity or ultimately be used to produce biodiesel fuel.
6. Take the remaining biomass from the algae & either anaerobically digest it to produce more gas & electricity or use it as an animal feed based on recommendations of the animal nutritionists at the zoo & Ohio State.
7. Rockwell Automation will develop software & control systems for system integration.
8. CIFT & Resource100 LTD will provide systems engineering & project management.

Posted in Articles & Newsletters | 2 Comments »