A Novel Low Cost, High Efficiency, Algal Biomass Harvest and Dewatering Technology for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel produced from microalgae has been identified as a potential source of affordable renewable fuel. This project addresses one aspect of the algal biodiesel production chain: development of low-cost, high-efficiency algal biomass harvest and dewatering technology. The approach involves the development and verification of system models of the entire algae-to-biodiesel production chain. These models will be designed to allow optimization of any algal biodiesel production system for lowest production cost, lowest energy consumption, or other operating parameters of interest. A small scale system will be built and tested in Phase I, and a pilot scale harvesting and dewatering system will be constructed and tested in Phase II. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: If large scale biodiesel fuel production from algae were economically successful, the federal government, the renewable fuels industry, and ultimately the public will benefit from reduced economic uncertainty tied to energy costs, increased national security due to less dependence on imported oil, and reduced environmental threats from global warming. Success in this endeavor should lead to the marketing of systems engineering, integration, modeling, and optimization expertise to companies who are operating or building algal biodiesel systems.