Future Fuels - Algae384/lecture_notes/topic_9/alga… · Commodity products from algae have...
Transcript of Future Fuels - Algae384/lecture_notes/topic_9/alga… · Commodity products from algae have...
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Future Fuels - Algae
Norman M. WhittonChE 359/3846 November 2008
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Norm Whitton
BChE, BChem, Univ of Minn 1982MBA, Univ of Houston, 1985Petroleum and Chemical Industry
12 years at Conoco and DuPontManagement Consulting
10 years at Arthur D. LittleEntrepreneur
4 years starting new businesses in oil, refining and biodiesel
Algae Entrepreneur3 years in Austin, collaborating with University of Texas
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Sunrise Ridge Operations
University of TexasAlgae selection / cultureSpecies engineering Separation
City of AustinPilot plant sitePotential expansion
State of TexasETF investment
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeThe Promise of AlgaePhotosynthesisGeneric Production ProcessesAlgae SpeciesCommodity Products
Current State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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How Fast ? How Bad?
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Peak Oil 3Q2005 – Cantarell Field
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More Problems
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Renewable Liquid Fuels
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Why We Like Algae
Doesn’t compete with food
Reduces greenhouse gas
Does not require arable land, rain or irrigation
Oil Yield, Gal / Acre / Year
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2000
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6000
8000
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Future Algae
AlgaePalm
Jatropha
RapeSoy
Sunrise Ridge Technology Focus
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Algae – Drive Train Compatibility
Algal Oil – Conventional Diesel Drive TrainsPotentially compatible with existing liquid fuel industryCrude oil pipelinesBiodiesel or traditional petroleum refineriesProduce diesel fuel, which is in short supply worldwideWide application in trucks, cars, rail, ships; possibly to aircraftLittle or no change required for end-users
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Value Chain
Oil FieldOil Field RefineryBlending and Distribution
Animal Feed Mill
Biodiesel Plant
Algae FarmAlgae Farm
OilOil
ByProductByProduct
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Photosynthesis
1-3% efficient
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Photosynthesis
BiomassH2O + CO2 + ~8-10 hv (CH2O) + O2
Redfield Ratio106 Carbon
16 Nitrogen1 Phosphorus
Silicon (diatoms)
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Micronutrients
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Cell Division and Growth
Exponential Growth
Typically matched to diurnal cycleOne to six divisions per day (doublings)
Exponential
Stationary
Lag
Time
Cul
ture
Den
sity
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Solar Algae Production Process
Species + Nutrients
Water
Solar Algae Farm
Separations &
Processing
Waste Treatment
Product LogisticsCO2
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Fermentation Processes
Species + Nutrients
Water
Dark Algae Tanks
Separations &
Processing
Waste Treatment
Product LogisticsSugar
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CO2 - Electric Conversion
Species + Nutrients
Water
Algae PBR
Separations &
Processing
Waste Treatment
Product LogisticsCO2
Electric Lights (LEDs)
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Algae Species• Estimated fifty thousand to hundreds of thousands of species• High genetic diversity, rapid mutation rates• Ubiquitous• Range in size from 2 microns (cyanobacteria) to macro (kelp)
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Algae Species
Neochloris alveroteras
Botryococcus brauneiiAnkistrodesmus arcuatus
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Cell Components• Cell walls and membranes
• Fatty acids• Sugar / protein binders• Silica (diatoms)• Not much cellulose
• Nucleus• Sugars and nucleic acids
• Proteins
• Pyrenoid• Starches and sugars
• Organelles• DNA, proteins, cell membranes
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Algae Products
HawaiiCalifornia (Salton Sea)New MexicoIsraelSoutheast Asia
Vitamins (A, B)Omega 3 Fatty AcidsDyesDrugs
TriglyceridesMixed OilsCarbohydratesProteins / Amino AcidsEthanol / Lactic AcidOther Chemical FeedstocksAnimal Feeds
Health supplementsSpirulinaChlorella
PigmentAstraxanthin
AquacultureSea bassShrimpMussels / Abalone
SpecialtiesCommoditiesCurrent
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of Technology
Algae Species Selection and EngineeringGreenhouse Systems (Open, Closed, Hybrid)DewateringProduct Separations
Environmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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Algae Selection
Local collectionAlgae culture collections
UT, Maryland, California, Hawaii, Japan, UKRapid screening and sequencingDesired properties
Oil productionGrowth rateSize / Harvesting Predator and disease resistance
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Oleaginous Green Algae (ASU)
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Genetic Engineering Targets
Solar efficiencyOil productionHarvesting Predator and disease resistance
ButMutation ratesEvolutionary success vs environment
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Growth Based on Temperature
Absorbance by Temperature
0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
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0.350
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0.450
18.6
21.6
24.4
27.3
30.2
32.9
35.9
38.5
41.4
18.6
21.6
24.4
27.3
30.2
32.9
35.9
38.5
41.4
Neochloris oleoabundans Botryococcus braunii
Temperature (°C)
Abso
rban
ce Hour 0Hour 0Hour 45Hour 93
— Hour 0
— Hour 45
— Hour 93
UTEX #1230 Absorbance by Temperature
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0.20
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21.6° 25.6° 29.0° 32.5° 35.2° 38.6° 41.5° 44.2° 47.1°
#1230 Chlorella sorokiniana
Temperature (°C)
Abso
rban
ce
Hour 0Hour 19
Results•Strain 1 grew maximally at 30-33°C and growth ceased past 36°C•Strain 2 grew fast from 35-42°C and growth ceased past 45°C•Strain 3 grew well between 29-35°C and growth ceased past 39°C
AFC Absorbance by Temperature
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21.6° 25.6° 29.0° 32.5° 35.2° 38.6° 41.5° 44.2° 47.1°
Algae Farm Chlorella
Temperature (°C)
Abso
rban
ce
Hour 0Hour 49
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“Greenhouse” Systems
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Ponds
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Raceways
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Horizontal Closed Systems
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Vertical Closed Systems
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Light Conversion
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Species Control Failures
Bi-Culture of our desired species + blue-green cyanobacteria (filaments)
Native species + Vorticella(predator)
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Species Control Strategies
Accept whatever falls inMake the environment specialized
SalinitypHTemperature
Closed greenhouse, physical barrierPeriodic sterilizationSmall, stable, symbiotic ecology
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System Productivity
ShadingEvaporative coolingHeated / chilled water
Physical barrierSterilization protocols
100-150Closed vertical system
MixedNutrient starvation20-40, but higher oil content
Hybrid
Evaporative cooling barrier gives longer growing seasonExternal evaporative cooling required in summer
Physical barrier Salinity pH
40-60 Closed horizontal system
NoneVia salinity or pH20Open Raceway with mixing and CO2 addition
NoneNone0-5High Rate PondCO2 addition
NoneNone0-2Natural pond
Temperature ControlSpecies Controlg / m2 / dType
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Dewatering
“It looks like green paint to me!”
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Too much cost…
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New Tech Harvesting – Fish Poo
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Lysing
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“Traditional” Extraction
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Oil Content & Quality
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Other Conversion Options
AcidolysisFermentationGasificationDrying / PelletingAnaerobic Digestion
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory Issues
WaterSpeciesGenetic Engineering
Economic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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Water Issues
Saline systemsMake up water sourcesSaline water disposal
Non-saline systemsMake up waterDischarge to aquifer / aquifer qualityDischarge permits (nutrients N, P)
Large-scale farm disturbance of surface flow and aquifer recharge
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Non-native species
Invasive “pests”Texas “black list” regulations – Parks & WildlifeGlobal transportMutation and adaptationProving “Harm”Proposed “white list” regulation
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Genetically Engineered Species
Fitness improving featuresGrowth ratesPredator resistanceToxics
Fitness reducing featuresOil contentOther “toxic” productsProduct export outside the cell
Testing?Deployment?
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More regulation issuesDownstream solvent extraction / processing emissions & wastePlastic recyclingLand use and zoning
“Look and feel” of the farmsFlat land is relatively scarce – how to use contour?
Radio waves / spectrum for radio-controlled equipment in the farms
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers
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Challenges…
Cost: Commodity products from algae have relatively low value We must be very low in cost (capital and operating)
Scale: Sunlight is a dilute source of energy; and it’s variable We need enormous scale to make a difference (1 MMBPD ~ 1-2,000,000 acres)
Yields: Algae convert 3-4% of sunlight to biomass, which might be only 30%-40% oil.Our production systems need to maximize desirable products and revenues.
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More challenges…
Siting:Microclimates and repeatabilityCO2 source?Water and nutrients source?Land – and lots of itGet everyone to agree without destroying the project
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Orders of Magnitude…
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Techno-Economics - Assumptions
Revenue / PricesOil prices $40 – 200 / bblCarbon credits $2 – 40 / tonByproduct values $30 – 300 / ton
YieldsBiomass production rate 25 – 200 g / m2 / dayOil content 3% to >60%
Costs“Greenhouse” $0.50 - >$10 psfSeparations 0.02 - $20 / gal (product)Feedstocks / Inputs Site and process specific
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Techno-Economics - Targets
Based on our models for an “interesting”project at reasonable revenue assumptionsTargets include:
Biomass yields > 75 g / m2 / day ANDOil yields > 30%
Greenhouse cost < $2.00 psf, all in ANDSeparation cost <0.40 / gal oil, all in ANDByproduct is recovered and sold at feed value
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Target Markets
Price,$/Ton
Size, $Bn / yr
Renewable Diesel (2015)
45% Protein
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10 0 10
Vegetable OilVegetable Oil5050--70% Revenue70% Revenue
Animal FeedAnimal Feed3030--50% Revenue50% Revenue
Bio
dies
el
Ole
oche
m
65%
Pro
tein
0
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Challenges to Algae Commercialization
Techno-economicsObtaining InputsEffective OperationsObtaining PermitsPenetrating MarketsCreating Confidence
How do we make it happen?
How do we How do we make it make it happen?happen?
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Future Fuels - Algae
Commodity Production of AlgaeCurrent State of TechnologyEnvironmental and Regulatory IssuesEconomic Feasibility ModelsQuestion and Answers