Novel Electrochemical Process for Microalgae Harvesting

Microalgae, which are known for their rapid growth and high energy content, offer the promise of expanding biofuel production. Potentially, microalgae can produce 100 times more oil per acre than soybeans, or any other terrestrial oil-producing crop. These bio-oils can be used to produce such advanced biofuels as biodiesel, green diesel, green gasoline, and green jet fuel. The technology for converting the microalgae to biofuel has been well refined; however, the lack of high throughput and low cost harvesting methods, coupled with the possibility of cross contamination, prevent these systems from operating at productivity rates near the efficiency limits of photosynthesis. This project will develop and demonstrate a new, universal, highly efficient, electrochemical/electro-flocculation reactor system for the economical harvesting of different species of microalgae from a range of water sources. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The large-scale economical production of microalgae based biofuels would help the U.S. alleviate energy security concerns by decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and mitigate U.S. contributions to climate change and other environmental concerns. The technology also should find application in the water treatment and chemical recovery industries.