IRFP: Systems analysis for large-scale production of microalgae and investigation of nutrient and energy by-product recovery

Brentner Laura B, New Haven CT

Investigators

Abstract

The International Research Fellowship Program enables U.S. scientists and engineers to conduct nine to twenty-four months of research abroad. The program's awards provide opportunities for joint research, and the use of unique or complementary facilities, expertise and experimental conditions abroad. This award will support an eighteen month research fellowship by Dr. Laura B. Brentner to work with Prof. Dr. René Wijffels in Bioprocess Engineering at Wageningen University in Wageningen, Netherlands. This project aims to set up a systems model to analyze sustainability of algal biorefinery operations based on pilot scale studies of algal biomass production and utilization. A cradle-to-cradle life cycle analysis (LCA) will be used to evaluate pilot-scale projects for microalgae biomass production, assessing multiple designs, including open ponds and enclosed photobioreactors, in multiple international locations. Cradle-to-cradle means the LCA will include the use and reuse of all products in the system. Feasibility of the system will depend on the use of algal cell remnants for other biotechnological applications. The investigation will help determine what can be done with the remaining remnants of a full biorefinery process. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to develop an empirical model of pilot-scale algal biomass production with comparisons among bioreactors and geographic locations. AlgaePARC is an applied research center at Wageningen University where pilot-scale microalgae reactors are in operation in collaboration with research and industry partners. The scale of operations provides a bridge from fundamental, lab-scale research to commercial applications or private ventures. The PI is involved in international collaborations and will serve as a branch to bring together a greater international effort for sustainable energy production with previously established partners in the US. The replacement of traditional transportation fuels with renewable biofuels could greatly reduce dependence on extraction of petroleum and lessen the environmental burdens associated with the production of petrofuels and petrochemicals. The proposed research will define the limits of sustainable production for microalgae systems and address questions of sustainability in meeting energy needs using algal biotechnology. The life cycle model will distinguish a set of best practices for biodiesel production from microalgae to make the information accessible to interested parties. Identifying design traits that balance productivity with material inputs will facilitate progress among partners in the algal biotechnology industry, including academic, private and public interests. A special investigation in nutrient and energy recovery from algal biomass will determine the feasibility of reducing these inputs. The investigation will address a considerable gap in knowledge in anaerobic digestion of algae and its suitability as a nutrient feed for subsequent biomass. Overall, this research will remove the barriers to reaching the goal of producing a renewable, sustainable feedstock for algae biotechnology by advancing the knowledge of how these systems can work.