USF’s algae research featured in Maximum Yield’s Industry News magazine

Our algae research and recent publication featured in the June 2017 issue of the magazine Maximum Yield’s Industry News:

Bio Jet Fuel, Algae and LEDs: Leaving Fossil Fuels Behind, by Marry Otte. “From biofuel to plastics, Omega-3s to animal feed, growing algae via LED light panels lends itself to a bright, sustainable future according to a University of South Florida study.”

[Link to the article] or [Download PDF]

Maximum Yield publishes “information on controlled-environment gardening for modern growing professionals … with distribution extending to retail shops, consumers, subscribers, free digital issues online, e-newsletters, unique site visitors, and social media channels”.

Our algae research presented at 2016 ABO Summit in Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Ioannis Dogaris, postdoctoral researcher at the Biofuels and Bioproducts Lab, USF, presented the group’s research on the “Use of wastewater in a horizontal bioreactor for commercial algae cultivation” at the 2016 Algae Biomass Summit, in Phoenix, AZ, 23-26 October 2016.

Furthermore, Ioannis received the “Young Researcher Award” in Engineering & Analysis for his presentation at the 2016 Algae Biomass Summit.

Download the poster presentation here [PDF].

Dogaris Ioannis ABO 2016

Ioannis Dogaris Award 2016 ABO

 

Citation: Dogaris I., Loya B., Cox J., Philippidis G. Use of wastewater in a horizontal bioreactor for commercial algae cultivation. 2016 Algae Biomass Summit, Phoenix, Arizona, October 2016.

Abstract

We have investigated the use of low-quality water sources to cultivate algae in our novel horizontal bioreactor (HBR), which is an inexpensive and modular cultivation system with an enclosed design that protects the culture from contamination and reduces water evaporation. We present the use of landfill leachate for the cultivation of a marine microalgal species, Picochlorum oculatum UTEX LB1998, in an HBR prototype under real-world conditions. Preliminary flask growth experiments verified the ability of the algal strain to grow in landfill leachate without apparent inhibition compared to purified water. During the 150-L HBR outdoor semi-continuous operations over 74 days, P. oculatum was able to grow well in landfill leachate despite harsh semitropical ambient conditions in central Florida, although biomass productivity was lower than its previous cultivations in clean water in the same HBR system and location.

Demonstrating the use of low-quality water sources, such as landfill leachate, for the outdoor cultivation of algae is critical for the sustainability and cost-efficiency of commercial algal biofuel and bioproduct manufacturing as freshwater resources become increasingly scarce in the United States and around the world.

Congratulations Jeffrey Cox!

Congratulations to Jeffrey Cox for graduating from USF Honors College in Summer 2016!

Jeffrey Cox graduation 2016

Jeffrey conducted his research thesis on “The Effect of Water Quality on the Growth of the Microalgae Picochlorum and Chlorella” in the Biofuels and Bioproducts Lab, at the Patel College of Global Sustainability, USF, under the supervision of Dr. Ioannis Dogaris.

Honors student Jeffery Cox researches the physiology of algae in the Biofuels and Bioproducts Lab at USF.

Our algae research presented at 2016 EUBCE in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Dr. George Philippidis, Associate Professor at USF and leader of the Biofuels and Bioproducts Lab team, presented our research on the “Scale-up and Demonstration of a Horizontal Bioreactor for Commercial Algae Cultivation” at the 24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE), in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 6-9 June 2016.

Dogaris et al. Presentation at 2016 EUBCE

“Scale-up of the horizontal bioreactor was successfully performed with the development and operation of a 40-m2 modular unit under real-world conditions in Florida, USA. Using marine algae, the novel bioreactor ran contamination-free over extended periods of time without hydraulic, mechanical or other problems. High algae concentrations and productivities were routinely achieved making the patented technology ready for commercial deployment for a wide range of applications with a variety of algae strains.”

Our new algal research paper

Our new paper on algal research got published in “Biomass & Bioenergy” journal!

Dogaris I.*, Brown T.R.*, Loya B., Philippidis G. (2016) Cultivation study of the marine microalga Picochlorum oculatum and outdoor deployment in a novel bioreactor for high-density production of algal cell mass. Biomass Bioenergy 89 pp. 11-23 (*contributed equally)

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0961953416300393

Dogaris_et_al_2016_Biomass_Bioenergy

Abstract

Microalgae are considered a promising source of renewable diesel and jet fuel. Currently, large-scale microalgae cultivations are performed in open ponds because of their low capital and operating costs, but they generally suffer from low cell mass yield and high risk of contamination. A novel, cost-effective, and modular horizontal bioreactor (HBR) for algae cultivation was developed, as described in the present study. The HBR was designed to keep costs low and was engineered to minimize water and energy use while enhancing CO2 and nutrient uptake. The selected marine microalgal strain, Picochlorum oculatum (Nannochloris oculata), has shown potential for biofuel production. A series of controlled indoor growth experiments was first performed to identify the appropriate P. oculatum growth conditions before demonstrating the HBR performance. Supplying CO2 continuously or by pH-control (pulsed) did not affect culture progression. Growth on urea and nitrate yielded comparable results, while ammonium was less effective. Varying inoculum size from 10% to 15% or 20% had no significant effect on lag time and final cell concentration and comparable growth was measured in the 7–8 pH range. The 150-L HBR’s performance was successfully demonstrated outdoors by growing P. oculatum at the identified growth conditions selected to reduce operating costs (pH-controlled CO2, pH 7.5, 10% inoculum, and nitrate). High-density growth was achieved without any contamination issues in outdoor HBR cultivations over 68 days in central Florida during two consecutive growth cycles.

Global Bioenergy Partnership / International Energy Agency publication

Our algae cultivation system is featured in the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) / International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy publication “Examples of Positive Bioenergy and Water Relationships”, pp. 71-73.

Examples of Positive Bioenergy and Water Relationships

Title: “3.8 Development of a scalable algae cultivation system that enhances water sustainability in algal biofuel production in the United States”

Biofuels and Bioproducts Lab, Patel College of Global Sustainability, University of South Florida.
In partnership with Culture Fuels Inc., New York, NY.

Tampa Bay Taps Into Renewable Energy from Biomass and Algae

Tampa Bay Clean Cities Coalition (TBCCC) interview with Dr. George Philippidis, USF Biofuels and Bioproducts Lab Director.

http://www.usf.edu/pcgs/initiatives/tampa-bay-taps-into-renewable-energy-biomass-algae.aspx

“We are proud of the fact that we represent the Patel College of Global Sustainability and USF as we try to help make our state and country a better place to live. It’s very exciting and rewarding.” G. Philippidis.