The document describes a PAR-MAX algae production platform designed by BioFarms Hawaii LLC. The platform uses a passive/dynamic design with no moving parts and stacked arrays to cultivate various algae species across 4.3 acres. A prototype with three stacked arrays is planned to test the design. If successful, the algae produced - such as Spirulina - could be used for health foods, famine relief, supplements, and high-value extracts and dyes. The business plan also involves cultivating algae for oils, additives, lubricants and soil reclamation.
1. BioFarms Hawaii LLC
Frank 'Palani' Cipriani
P.O. Box 482
Hawi, Hawai'i 96719-0482
www.biofarmshawaii.com
algae@biofarmshawaii.com
808-333-8026
11/07/2009
PAR-MAXtm Algae Production Platform
(confidential)
(ABSTRACT)
When considering the Significant Improvements in the present Invention, one must
understand the full spectrum of the phycology to be applied and the methods & means of
application provided in the Reactor and it's support systems. *Passive/Dynamic design
parameters (*no moving parts) have been applied in the design and operation of the Reactor.
PAR-MAX Plant Model: 4.3 ac. 200'x1000' clear-span Reactor Building: (Fig. 1. *Sprung
Instant Structures): Ten (10) stacked-Arrays: (*Fig. 2. PAR-MAX Patent Drawing 1982; “a
stacked-configuration of this example”), Reactor-runs 1000' in length by 25 ea. runs wide.
Each Array, functioning independently, the Reactor Arrays are supported by 'adjustable' free-
standing lattice-work (modified surplus scaffolding materials). Fluid dynamics adjusted to +1-
ft./second Gravity flow-rate. Air-lift re-circulation down-stream to up-stream.
Volume per Array: 550,000 Liters. (Each Array operating independently). Balance of Plant x10
Arrays: 5.5 Million Liters. (Fig. 3 *PAR-MAX Installation Drawings doc.)
PHASE I PAR-MAXtm PROTOTYPE: (in-Lab Test & Demonstration) Three (3) stacked Arrays
innoculated with “Flagship Algas”: Spirulina sp, Phaeodactylum t., Chlamydomonas r.,
of 160 ft. of *Reactor Body ea. (Four 40 ft. runs per Array): w/harvesting & waste-separation
wells and all support systems (OEMs). Following 'Design-freeze', this Prototype will be further
utilized in the first “Lab Module” (Fig. 4. PAR-MAX Prototype I Module) as a support for the
Plant's Production Lines; innoculation, injection. The Module also will contain a Seed-lab and
Office.
The 'Seed-Lab' supports the Lab-Arrays in turn and the Lab-Module provides means of
isolating and “tinkering” with targeted species. A Lab-Module will precede the Installation of
each PAR-MAX Plant. All of the Plant Installation is Modulized for Rapid-deployment & On-
Site Erection.
BFH/PAR-MAXTM *BUSINESS PLAN: Products & Spinoffs
PAR-MAX Plants: Sales & Licensing:
Flagship Algas': Spirulina p., Phaeodactylum t., Chlamydomonas r.
*SPIRULINA platensis-'robustus'*: 'Flake Product', Bulk: (Fig. 9. *PSI, Inc. Market Study.
Letters of Intent. Cipriani et al, 1985), Bio-Nutritionals, Extracts & Compounds. (see Fig. 9-A.
Doc.:Spirulina specifications; Cipriani 1982). Market(s): a) Health Foods, b) Famine &
Disaster Relief: (Fig. 10.*Doc. 'Marketing Strategy'): “Living-Cell Spirulina Survival Cakes”, c)
Military MREs Supplement, d) Extracts & Compounds: Superior Organic High-Potency Dyes
for niche-markets; pharmaceutical, medical-research, cosmetics, food-coloring, fabrics, etc.
2. (2)
BFH/PAR-MAXTM *BUSINESS PLAN: Products & Spinoffs:
There is an existing under-supplied present day market for dried-bulk product, retailing
@$40+/lb. Spirulina caps & pills bringing more $ per lb. We will produce a *“Living-cell
Spirulina Survival Cake” for world market. The potent full-spectrum 'dyes' available in Sp. are
extremely valuable in medical-research procedures, ex; (RNA-DNA tagging).
PHAEODACTYLUM tricornutum: Oil Alga: High-value Markets; Premium quality Additives,
Lubricants, Organic bases & creams for niche markets; Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics,
Nutritionals, Chemicals. Phaeodactylum; (a.k.a.“Fatty-Fusiform”) is a marine diatom that, with
a little “tinkering”, will produce high quality lipids, waxes, prostaglandins; up to 60+% of the
total cell (Fig. 11. *Phaeodac t. Analysis). As the only known marine diatom having a “naked-
cell wall”, it cracks easily, and is an immediately digestable preferred feed-stock for
mariculture of panaeids, mollusks, bivalves. Ideally, Marine PAR-MAX Production Plants
should be cited on shore-lines to use the alga & effluents for diversified Mariculture.
(*This 'Bio-Oil is too valuable to 'burn' as Fuel? ; see Doc. Fig. 12: “Algal Jet-fuel?”. Analysis
by Dr. Gjert Knutsen & Svein Atle).
CHLAMYDOMONAS reinhardti: Soil Recclaimation, Sandy-Clay Soil to Loam-topsoil.
The Market: “World-wide.”
PLANNED MARKET RESEARCH: Investigate 'Organic Nano-chips' derived from the silica
cell-walls of various Diatoms. BioProspecting for Molecular Medicine.
PAR-MAX Phase I Prototype Test & Demonstration: Logistics.
Requirements: 1) Lab-space for Seed-lab set-up & 20'x40' area for Prototype installation.
2) Prototyper/Manufacturer; sugg. High Tech Development Corp (HTDC) -3d-Engineering
LLC, 3) Engineers-Consulting: Hydro/Pneumatic, Mechanical. 4) OEMs: Ocean Optics, Inc.?,
GoreTex, Inc., 5) Lliason with UH Microbiology Department; *Recruit a talented, enthusiastic,
motivated “Team” (*drawn from UH Grad students? Perhaps a stipended Internship
Program.); a) Microbiologist/Lab Manager, b) Computer-Science/Data-Process, c) Marketing
Manager, d) Organic Chemist, e) *Sufficient Funding & Support to see Development through
to Industrial-Stage; the “PAR-MAXtm Platform, Co-Engineered and integrated with an
Industrial WTE Platform.”
AUTHOR'S NOTE: “The Vision is to see these Ideas for “Nano-Farms” manifested, ushering
in the age of a vital established Industry in BioFarming. Envisioning the PAR-MAXtm
Platforms “married” to Industrial Plants, utilizing carbon-capture & recycling 'waste-products'
to operate the Alga Platforms, thereby creating a zero carbon footprint Site for Diversified
Alternative Energy Production.To educate young people for a Career in the Art. To
incorporate all the best practices of the Art and to expand the horizon of Alga Research &
Production, as my contribution to the Art, to Hawai'i nei, and to Mankind in general.
Frank Cipriani, BioFarms Hawaii 11/07/2009