Progress 08/01/16 to 01/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:During project period, we have reached out and disseminated our efforts to attendees of two major conferences: The 2017 IBE Annual Conference, March 30 - April 1, 2017 This conference theme was convergence in recognition of the increasing importance of transdisciplinary integration of life sciences, physical sciences and engineering for developing deeper understanding of complex living systems engineering novel solutions to address the grand challenges of our times - sustainable food, energy, and environment systems, as well as quality health. In this conference, we reached a wide network of partners from all fields of life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, etc with our engineering process for sustainable energy. The Algae Biomass Summit, October 29 - November 1, 2017 The Algae Biomass Summit is the largest algae conference in the world, an annual conference and trade show event since 2007, where leading producers of algae products go to network with industry suppliers and technology providers, where project developers converse with utility executives, and where researchers and technology developers rub elbows with venture capitalists. By disseminating our project efforts in this conference, we have reached wide audiences in the aforementioned groups. We were one of the 50 exhibitors that exhibited at this event. Visitor profile of this event includes algae crop growers, research scientists, municipal leaders, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, investors and policy makers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided professional development for HT staff. In addition, the HT team has trained a high school student in performing various experimental tasks. The student has received school credit in the internship. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During project period, we have reached out and disseminated our efforts to attendees of two major conferences: The 2017 IBE Annual Conference, March 30 - April 1, 2017 This conference theme was convergence in recognition of the increasing importance of transdisciplinary integration of life sciences, physical sciences and engineering for developing deeper understanding of complex living systems engineering novel solutions to address the grand challenges of our times - sustainable food, energy, and environment systems, as well as quality health. In this conference, we reached a wide network of partners from all fields of life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, etc with our engineering process for sustainable energy. The Algae Biomass Summit, October 29 - November 1, 2017 The Algae Biomass Summit is the largest algae conference in the world, an annual conference and trade show event since 2007, where leading producers of algae products go to network with industry suppliers and technology providers, where project developers converse with utility executives, and where researchers and technology developers rub elbows with venture capitalists. By disseminating our project efforts in this conference, we have reached wide audiences in the aforementioned groups. We were one of the 50 exhibitors that exhibited at this event. Visitor profile of this event includes algae crop growers, research scientists, municipal leaders, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, investors and policy makers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project will be followed by a Phase II development being planned.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A sustainable supply of renewable biofuel will contribute to the Nation's energy security. Algal biomass is seen as having potential to be a significant source of renewable bioenergy. Microalgae-derived biofuel provides a high oil productivity with a smaller land footprint than terrestrial biofuel crops. It captures carbon dioxide and can grow on marginal lands or with salty aquifer water or wastewater; thus, it provides a source of clean energy with little negative impact on food and water supplies or the biodiversity. Algae cultivation requires no external subsidies of insecticides or herbicides that are often associated with a source of stream pollution. However, the cost to produce algal biofuel is prohibitive presently and it must be significantly reduced for it to be widespread. This project tested and advanced a novel algae-liquid separation technology for separation of cultivated algae from its growth medium, thereby lowering the cost barrier of procuring lipid from algae. The project has contributed to the goal of producing algal biofuel that makes sustainable use of rural areas where rural communities can engage in bioenergy production activities of an emerging and large economic scale. It has contributed to the nation and USDA's strategic goal to assist rural communities to create prosperity so they can be self-sustaining, repopulating, and economically thriving. To move energy-rich algal lipid a step closer to become a viable source of renewable biofuel, this project has completed the following tasks with significant knowledge gains: 1. Assembly/construction and testing of the processing system The proposed novel system was constructed and tested that proved viability. Operation of the system demonstrated the ozone generator, microbubble generator, oscillating microbubble chamber, and coalescing filter worked concertedly as envisioned. 2. Evaluation of the Disruptive Transport system for rupturing of algae The constructed system above was employed to treat dilute algal suspensions. The system ruptured algal cells, as indicated by gradual disappearance of chlorophyll. The disruption of chlorophyll showed rupture of protective algal membrane and chlorophyll enclosure. Algal membrane was rapidly ruptured with the combined uses of ozone and its application in the form of oscillating microbubbles in the treatment chamber. The disruption stood in stark contrast to the absence of ozone or absence of ozone in oscillating microbubbles, in which the algal suspensions persisted in the system even after prolonged duration. The disruptive transport system was proven feasible in rupturing the cultivated algae while it is being transported, as proposed. 3. Evaluation of the Coalescing Filtration system A significant challenge emerged because of the small quantity of lipid (<10%) in a dilute algal suspension (<30 mg/L), which would require an enormous volume of cultivated algae. To still test of concept of coalescing filtration with the constructed sand bed, we prepared a suspension of oil droplets by high-speed blending of vegetable oil into a very stable colloidal suspension. The colloidal oil suspension was subjected to the disruptive transport system (ozone treatment) above and then to sand filtration. The coarse sand filter (Grain no. 20 typically used for swimming pool filtration) removed >80% of the colloidal oil droplets in minutes. The results showed that small oil droplets were retained by the filter. Without the disruptive ozone treatment the oil suspensions remained very stable, attesting to the benefits of the disruptive transport system in enabling the coalescing filtration in harvesting small oil droplets. 4. Lipid retrieval from the filter bed and regeneration After the sand filtration process as described above, the sand filter was regenerated by back-washing (reversing of the water flow), which was shown to remove the trapped oil. The filtration and regeneration cycle showed that oil droplets were readily removed from suspension, and the filter bed was readily regenerated. Similar results were observed after repeated cycles. 5. Execution and evaluation of a streamlined, continuous disruptive transport/coalescing filtration process After separate experiments of Tasks 3 with algal suspensions and 4 with oil suspensions, the entire treatment train was operated concurrently with algal suspensions alone and with oil suspension alone. In the algal case, the system showed complete disruption of the algal cells and clarification of the suspension after the complete treatment train. In the oil case, the system showed over 90% removal of oil droplets from suspension and clarification of the water from its original milky colloidal suspension form. 6. Treatment cost estimation Because of the challenge in yielding a significant amount algal lipid, an accurate estimate of treatment cost would be difficult. We estimated based on the removal of algae by the disruptive transport system and on the removal of oil droplets from suspension, and arrived at $14/m3 of algal suspension. The harvesting cost remains relatively constant for different algae concentrations from 30 to 200 mg/L, thus achieving greater economic efficiency when algae is cultivated to a higher concentration. The overall impact of this research is that technical feasibility has been demonstrated with a novel disruptive transport system with coalescing filtration. A more accurate determination of cost saving for harvesting cultivated microalgae can be performed in the establishment of a large-scale cultivation system. This is a useful pilot demonstration in the next phase.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
X. Zhao, A. Hong. Algal Lipid Harvesting by Rupturing with Pressure Cycles of Ozonation and Coalescing Filtration. Algae Biomass Summit, 10/29-11/1, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
X. Zhao, C.C. Lin, A. Hong, PRESSURE CYLCES-ASSISTED OZONATION TREATMENT OF PRODUCED WATER BEFORE AND AFTER ALGAE CULTIVATION. Presented at IBE 2017 Conference, 3/30-4/1, 2017, Salt Lake City, UT.
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Progress 08/01/16 to 07/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences: January 2-9, 2017 - In an invited trip to Beijing, China, HT presented 4 talks at different venues to oil and water treatment companies interested in renewable energy alternatives and wastewater treatment technologies. Attendees included company executives, manager, engineers, and investors. March 30 - April 1, 2017 - Presented orally a technical paper at the Institute of Biological Engineering conference to attendees (IBE 2017). February 4 - Presented a short talk and demonstration of technology principle to 20 visiting junior high school students on current water and energy issues. April 5 - Presented in a seminar to faculty, graduates, and undergraduates of the chemical engineering department at the University of Utah on algal fuel procurement and associated water recycling technologies. July 10 - Presented HT core technologies including cultivated algae processing to an environmental engineering company practicing in energy recovery from wastes and environmental cleanup. Efforts: In many occasions above, HT presented its core technology with applications in renewable energies, environmental preservation, and water treatment and reuse to various audiences, including investors, managers and engineers in oil and water treatment industries, junior-high students, undergraduate and graduate students, and university faculty, as well as technical conference attendees. In each occasion, the NIFA/USDA supported technology development has been described and acknowledged. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?HT is a tenant and part of the BioInnovation Gateway sponsored by the gonvernor office of the State of Utah, and has been participating with professional development and training activities and seminars that further advance our knowledge and skills to commercialize our teachnologies and reach out to target audiences. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated through techical conference, seminars, andformaland informal talks to interested parties, including investors, oil company executives, water treatment company executives, junior high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, university faculty, technical conference attendees with algal energy development companies. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next 6 months leading up to the project end date of 1/31/2018, HT plans to continuewith itsprojecttofulfill the remaining objectives. HT has overcomea significanttask of setting up anddemonstrated thesuccessful operation ofthe novel process train.The results have shown it accomplishes the intended objective of rupturing of the algal cells. We will continue to move forward and deliver a novel processing scheme for cultivated algae in realizing biofuel from algae.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact of Project A sustainable supply of renewable biofuel will contribute to the Nation's energy security. Algal biomass is seen as having potential to be a significant source of renewable bioenergy. Microalgae-derived biofuel provides a high oil productivity with a smaller land footprint than terrestrial biofuel crops. It captures carbon dioxide and can grow on marginal lands or with salty aquifer water or wastewater; thus, it provides a source of clean energy with little negative impact on food and water supplies or the biodiversity. Algae cultivation requires no external subsidies of insecticides or herbicides that are often associated with a source of stream pollution. However, the cost to produce algal biofuel is prohibitive presently and it must be significantly reduced for it to be widespread. In this project, Heightened Technologies (HT) is developing a novel algae-liquid separation technology to be used for separation of cultivated algae from its growth medium, thereby removing a significant cost barrier of procuring lipid from the algae. The new technology provides a solution to the technical difficulty of harvesting algae from a dilute suspension using a novel process that deploys oscillating microbubbles in the disruptive transport of the algal cells, to be followed by coalescing filtration and collection of the released algal lipid. The outcome of the proposed project will contribute to the goal of producing algal biofuel that makes sustainable use of rural areas where rural communities can engage in bioenergy production activities of an emerging and large economic scale. It will contribute to the nation and USDA's strategic goal to assist rural communities to create prosperity so they can be self-sustaining, repopulating, and economically thriving. Goals, Objectives, and Accomplishments The over-arching goal of this project is to realize energy-rich algal lipid to become a viable source of renewable biofuel. To achieve this goal, this project is developing a new technology to harvest algal lipid from the cultivated dilute algae suspension economically. This project aims at removing the technical and economic barriers of separating the algal solid from the water. Technical objectives to be achieved in this project are: A. Assembly/construction and testing of the processing system B. Evaluation of the Disruptive Transport system for rupturing of algae C. Evaluation of the Coalescing Filtration system D. Lipid retrieval from the filter bed and regeneration E. Execution and evaluation of a streamlined, continuous disruptive transport/coalescing filtration process F. Treatment cost estimation Accomplishments A. The assembly and construction of an algae processing system has been accomplished.The system processes cultivated algal suspension in the following train: A submerged pump (SP) in the cultivated algae reservoir takes water (water only at this objective) and feeds it to a microbubble generation pump (MP) to establish priming of the MP pump. The MP takes the water from the SP and an ozone-containing gas stream (oxygen only at this stage) through a gas inlet, and combines the liquid and gas into a liquid stream now containing extensive gaseous microbubbles; this stream is fed to a triplex cylinder pump (CP). (Note that once the MP is primed and the flow established, the SP is no longer needed and turned off.) The CP processes the liquid (without algae at this stage) in the presence of the gaseous microbubbles for a prescribed contact time in pump's chambers, and returns it to the water reservoir.(Note that in this experimental phase, the treated water is returned to the reservoir, and in application the treated algal suspension will be passed forward for lipid extraction.) The recirculation of the contents between the reservoir and the pumps continues and samples are taken from the reservoir for analyses. Change in knowledge HT learns that the process train can be practiced continuously once the various valves that regulate gas and liquid flows are properly set. The system enables convenient priming of the pumps and transport of the liquid through the process train. Change in action HT learns that in order for the process train to work concertedly, the MP's exit valve and CP's inlet valve need to be completely open, and the optimal operation conditions (pressure and vacuum conditions) are to be maintained by adjustment of the CP's exit valve, the MP's inlet valve, as well as the MP's gas inlet valve. A gas reservoir at ambient pressure is needed to feed the gas at atmospheric pressure that promotes the MP's efficiency in generating the microbubbles. In constructing the viable process train, HT overcame difficulties of the pumps working together with gas and liquid and achieved a working process train. B. The disruptive transport system (the process train above) has been tested for the rupturing of algal suspension. However, this task has not been completed and is ongoing. The processing system (above) was tested with cultivated algae in the algal reservoir, the gas reservoir is filled with an ozone stream from an ozone generator.The results show strong feasibility that the process train ruptured algal cells, as evidenced by microscopic pictures of the treated suspension before and after the process train as well as apparent discoloration of the suspension after treatment that suggest oxidation of chlorophyll by ozone.Further experimentation are undertaken to quantify the extent of rupture according to treatment conditions. Change of Knowledge HT confirms that rupturing of the algal cells is not feasible with only shear stress upon the cells while they are transported through various pumps. Cell rupturing occurred only after the feed gas was dosed with ozone gas. Change in Action HT learns that variation of contact time and dose affects rupture efficiency, and is continuing to evaluate rupture efficiency according to operation conditions, as outlined originally in our objectives statement.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Xinyue Zhao, Ching Chieh Lin, Andy Hong. PRESSURE CYLCES-ASSISTED OZONATION TREATMENT OF PRODUCED WATER BEFORE AND AFTER ALGAE CULTIVATION, presented at IBE 2017 conference, 3/30-4/1 2017, Salt Lake City, UT.
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