An Integrated Research Program for Algal Energy An Integrated Research Program for Algal Energy

and Environmental Remediation and Environmental Remediation

An Integrated Research Program for Algal Energy An Integrated Research Program for Algal Energy

and Environmental Remediation and Environmental Remediation

Slides prepared bySlides prepared byEmmett DuffyEmmett DuffySlides prepared bySlides prepared byEmmett DuffyEmmett Duffy

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation30 Jan 2009

Emmett DuffyEmmett DuffyElizabeth Elizabeth CanuelCanuelEmmett DuffyEmmett DuffyElizabeth Elizabeth CanuelCanuel

WMRI Algal Energy Plan: General Objective

We propose to turn pollution into fuel

Algae link two of society’s most pressing problems:

“the source problem”—dwindling fossil fuel supplies

“the sink problem”—fouling of the global environment

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

WMRI Algal Energy Plan: Context

Renewables are the future of the fuel industry

Fossil fuels are running out while demand accelerates

Source problem: fuels must be renewable

Sink problem: fuels must avoid degrading the environment

Wild algae uniquely solve both source and sink problems

Fastest-growing, high-quality biofuel feedstock

Capture and store solar energy (solves the “battery problem”)Capture and store solar energy (solves the “battery problem”)

Sequester—rather than releasing—nutrients and carbon

Linking fuel production to clean-up may be key to profitability

Carbon & nutrient credits can enhance value of algal biofuel

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

Approach: the Algal Turf Scrubber (ATS®) system

Simple: low-tech, low-labor operations for growth and harvesting

no bioreactors, little or no filtration

Inexpensive: simple, widely available materials

Adaptable: natural algal communities adapted to local conditions

Nature selects algae best adapted to applicationNature selects algae best adapted to application

useable in a range of situations

Resilient: diversity provides stability, as in a stock portfolio

diverse algae resist challenges (disease, changing conditions)

Safe: no invasive species threats, no GMO escape risk

no threat to surrounding ecosystems

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

Low oil yieldLow oil yield

Why microalgae? High oil Content

Chisti (2007) Biotechnol. Adv. 25: 294–306

High oil yieldHigh oil yield

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

Large areaLarge area

Why microalgae? Low land requirement

Chisti (2007) Biotechnol. Adv. 25: 294–306

Small areaSmall area

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

Remaining Biomass to liquid

Methane

Biochemical Components for algal fuel products

BiodieselOils (lipid)Oils (lipid)

Remaining

organicsorganicsMethane

Ethanol

Butanol

CO2; H2

Fertilizer, Value-

added products

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

FlowFlow

systemsystem

OtherOther

Simple design Yes No

Algal biomass High ?

Microalgal farm

Advantages of ATS Approach: Summary

Algal biomass High ?

Cost Low High

Species adapted to

local environment

Yes No

Risk of viral or

bacterial infection

Low High

Commercial Flow-ATS

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation

Wild algae don’t create problems—they solve them

Combining fuel production and environmental clean-up

is the key to making algal biofuel profitable.

Flow system harnesses 3 billion years of experimentation

Diverse wild algae community is key

to low cost, stable, resilient biofuel production.

WMRI Algal Energy Plan: Summary

Flow system promises exciting & potentially profitable applications

in integrated biofuel production and environmental clean-up

WILLIAM & MARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE — VIMS Council Presentation