Wastewater Grown Algae Feedstock Production and Processing to Bioproducts

Statement of Problem: Accelerating the expansion of the algal bioeconomy requires increasing the available supply chain of algae feedstock and greater inclusion of algal biomass into biofuels and bioproducts. Thousands of wastewater treatment pond systems currently generate up to a million tons a year of algal biomass, but virtually none is beneficially used in the bioeconomy. Overall Objective/Approach: This project will identify obstacles and develop solutions to increase the utilization of wastewater grown algae in bioproducts. Solutions this will involve more economical and sustainable biomass dewatering and drying processes, to enable greater utilization in algae-blended resins to allow greater inclusion of algae content in bioplastic consumer products. The overarching objectives of Phase I are to demonstrate the production of a low (< 10%) moisture algal biomass that can be used to increase the algal content of Algix’s BLOOM brand of products by over 50% from current levels. The Phase I project will establish the feasibility and proof of concept through experimental and modeling efforts highlighted in the project flow diagram below. Phase II will then scale-up biomass processing and drying to provide over 100 tons of algal biomass for incorporation into algae-based bioplastic products.Commercial Applications and Benefits: This work will further the bioeconomy by developing new commercial opportunities to produce, process and distribute algae biomass from municipal wastewater treatment facilities using algae ponds. These facilities are mostly located in rural and often disadvantaged communities. The immediate opportunity is to supply dried algal biomass to Algix, LLC, in Meridian, MS, to advance its commercialization and growth goals by establishing a dependable, high quality and domestic source of algal biomass. The longer-term goal is to develop bioproducts from algae harvested at such algae wastewater treatment ponds, which will help such municipalities to improve their operations and retain these low cost systems. The benefits to the public and environment include improved water quality from wastewater effluents and the advancement of biobased alternatives to currently petroleum derived products.