Stabilization of Stored Microalgae and Co-product Formation

Significantlyless expensive than storage through drying (65% drying cost on a $/liter dieselproduced basis) Decreasedmicroalgae loss (demonstrated 5-15% after  30 days of storage compared to typical wetstorage losses of 8-37%) Organicacid production, particularly succinic acid, a valuable bioproduct andintermediate. Highest demonstrated yield was 0.34 g/g sugar in the algae[internal report]Usefulgas production, including hydrogen4.8to 11% increased diesel production (based on theoretical cost analyses)

Microalgaebiomass production and storageBio-Succinicacid production

Researchers at INL havedeveloped methods for storing concentrations of microalgae-derived biomass withmuch lower dry matter loss than under previously explored ensilage techniques. Thismethod has also demonstrated production of significant volumes of bio-succinicacid and hydrogen, which would enhance the value of the stored algae and can resultin secondary revenue streams for producers. This minimal dry matter loss,combined with the co-product formation, helps offset storage costs and enables economicallyviable, short- or long-term storage (1-6 months) of microalgae for laterconversion.

LICENSINGOPPORTUNITY:
INLis currently looking for commercialization partner(s) interested to enteringinto a license agreement for the purpose of commercializing the technologydescribed below.  

INTELLECTUALPROPERTY STATUS:

This invention has associated intellectual propertyPatent Application No. 15/495,625: “Methods of Preserving a Microalgae Biomassand a Preserved Microalgae Biomass,” filed 24 April 2017; BEA Docket Nos.BA-914, BA-915

DEVELOPMENTSTATUS:
This technology has been tested and validated at thebench scale. Additional development will be required to demonstrate a pilotscale process.

Publications:

• Report: “Evaluation of ahigh-moisture stabilization strategy for harvested microalgae blended withherbaceous biomass: Part I—Storage performance,”INL quarterly report, 2014
• Paper: “Evaluation of ahigh-moisture stabilization strategy for harvested microalgae blended withherbaceous biomass: Part II — Techno-economic assessment,” AlgalResearch, 2017
• Paper: “Managingvariability in algal biomass production through drying and stabilization offeedstock blends,” Algal Research, Vol 24, Part A, June 2017, pp9-18

USA