This document discusses the development of a mobile algae processing system. It notes that the algae biofuels industry currently lacks integrated processing technologies. The Center for Electromechanics has experience with process integration and bridging research to commercialization. They have previously scaled algae growth and tested concentration, lysis, separation and extraction technologies. The next step is to integrate these technologies into a demonstration-scale mobile unit capable of end-to-end algae processing up to several acres per day. This integrated system will demonstrate scalability and economics to help advance the algae biofuels industry.

1. Mobile Algae Processing System
Demonstration Unit
Robert Pearsall
r.pearsall@cem.utexas.edu
April 27, 2011

2. Industry Need – Why are we doing this?
• Recent boom in algae biofuels industry (in both technology and
funding)
• Industry is currently stifled by fragmented and unproven
processing technologies that only address one part of the overall
processing chain

3. Why CEM?
• Experience with process/technology
integration
• Experience with multidisciplinary problems
• Skilled at bridging the gap between
fundamental research and technology
commercialization

4. Examples of other projects

5. “Valley of Death”

6. Prior Work
• Scaled up growth capability up to 2,500 gal
• Built and tested technologies needed for ETE processing
– Concentration, lysing, separation and extraction
– Developed measurement and quantification techniques and
procedures
• Spent over 2 years processing batches of algae between
1000 – 3000 gal/batch ETE
– Compiled mass / energy balance performed on ETE processing
NEXT STEP 
Integrate all technologies

7. Demonstration Scale Requirements
• End-To-End (ETE) processing capability
• Capacity – up to several acres / day
• Modularity – Each module can be stand-alone or
integrated
• Can process all variations of growth media
• Can process any growth method
• Allow grower to produce/see oil at the end of the day
• Mobility
• Demonstrate scalability
• Demonstrate economics

8. Integrated System: Process Map

9. MAP Unit V1 Images

10. MAP Unit V1 Images

11. “Valley of Death”

12. Contact Information
Mr. Robert Pearsall
Center for Electromechanics
Research Engineer
(512) 232-1679
r.pearsall@cem.utexas.edu
Mr. Mike Werst
Center for Electromechanics
Algae Program Manager
(512) 232-1604
m.werst@cem.utexas.edu