Upload
others
View
12
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
Algae Biofuels John R. Benemann MicroBio Engineering, Inc.,
San Luis Obispo, California, [email protected]
KAUST - Future Fuels Workshop March 7, 2016, KAUST, KSA
KAUST - Future Fuels Workshop March 7, 2016, KAUST, KSA
2
Macroalgae (Seaweeds): Green, Red and Brown
1,000, 2000 and 6,000 species respectively
Macroalgae (Seaweeds): Green, Red and Brown
1,000, 2000 and 6,000 species respectively
3
San Luis Obispo, Calif. home of MicroBio Egineering, Inc.)
Macroalgae (Seaweeds): Green, Red and Brown
– can be found on most beaches…
Macroalgae (Seaweeds): Green, Red and Brown
– can be found on most beaches…
4
MICROALGAE
Nannochloropsis
Cryptocodinium
5
11 Division, 29 classes vs. 2/12 vascular plants Each species (>100,000), each strain is different11 Division, 29 classes vs. 2/12 vascular plants
Each species (>100,000), each strain is different
6
Salt Evaporation Ponds, San Francisco Bay(from my airplane window, June 2012)
Silicon Valley
7
here growing in salt ponds - varying salinities and nutrients determine species dominance)
…key is the ecophysiology
8
Micro- & Macro-algae: CO2 and BiofuelsMicro- & Macro-algae: CO2 and BiofuelsMicro- and macro-algae are non-vascular plants - carry out same process of photosynthesis as higher plants:
H2O + CO2 + Photons Biomass (CHxOy) + O2
(also need N, P, K, Fe, S, Ca, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn, V, Mo, etc.)A major difference: micro- or macro-algae growing in water can‘t access sufficient CO2 from the atmosphere.Microalgae require concentrated CO2 sources (such as power plant flue gases, etc.), for high productivity. Can also obtain CO2 from wastewaters and other sources).
Macroalgae can obtain CO2 from seawater, if water exchange and mixing are high (boundary layer issue).
9
The promises of micro- & macro-algae biofuels: The promises of micro- & macro-algae biofuels:
• High biomass productivities vs. conventional crops
10
Typical example of projections: land area required to replace 50% of current USA petroleum-diesel usage using corn, soybean, & algae… (~ 80,000 L /HA- YR!)
algae soybean
corn
11
The promises of micro- & macro-algae biofuels: The promises of micro- & macro-algae biofuels:
• High biomass productivities vs. conventional crops
• Microalgae use land, water resources unsuited for crops
• Macroalgae also do not compete with agricultural crops
• Many culture systems: ponds, closed reactors, floating
• High content/production fuels/feedstocks: H2, CH2O, oils
• Use power plants, stationary CO2 sources; reduce GHGs
• Project low production costs, favorable LCA/GHG
• Co-produce biofuels with feeds, high value bioproducts
12
SXPAND
23/ 2/ 2012, Coral Gables, Florida, President Obama: "We're making new investments in the development of
gasoline, diesel and jet fuel that's actually made from ... Algae.
If we can make energy out of that, we’ll be alright.“We can replace up to 17% of the fuel we import for transportation
with this fuel which we can grow right here in the USA”
13
The Current Reality of Algae Biofuels The Current Reality of Algae Biofuels • Microalgae produced mostly for high value human foods
14
Main microalga grown commercially: Spirulina: Almost all in paddle wheel mixed raceway ponds <1 ha
Main microalga grown commercially: Spirulina: Almost all in paddle wheel mixed raceway ponds <1 ha
Spirulina
15
microalgae are produced now almost exclusively for nutritional products
16
The Current Reality of Algae Biofuels The Current Reality of Algae Biofuels • Microalgae produced mostly for high value human foods
• Macroalgae (seaweeds) for foods and polysaccharides;
• Biofuels NOT produced commercially from any algae
• Production: Micro- ~40,000 mt, macro- ~>1 million mt
• Production costs: micro- ~>$10K/mt, macro- ~>$1K/mt
• Other applications: microalgae in wastewater treatment; macroalgae: IMTA - integrated multi-trophic aquaculture
• R&D Biofuels: $ billions microalgae since 2007, most USA much less for macroalgae, most in Europe, Korea, Japan
• Prospects: micro- & macro-algae biofuels long-term R&DNearer-term, particularly for KSA, is for animal feeds
17
OUTLINE OF TALKOUTLINE OF TALK#1. Microalgae H2 Production –
The Continuing Saga
#2. Algae Carbohydrate Production –The Fermentation Gambit
#3. Microalgae Oil Production –The Biofuels Moonshot
#4. The Economics of Algal Biofuels
18
Benemann, UBC, Jan 7, 2011
H2 bubbles
19
#1. Microalgae H2 Production: the continuing Saga #1. Microalgae H2 Production: the continuing Saga • First report of H2 production in 1880s by cyanobacteria • First lab studies of green algae H2 production in 1940s • Proposals for practical algae H2 production in 1950s. • 1973 Energy Crisis ignites interest in algal H2 production • Microalgae H20 splitting to O2 + H2 published 1973, 74 • R&D over following two decades in algal H2 production • One R&D focus was ‘direct biophotolysis’ – impossible?• 2000 Election: both US political parties support H2 R&D • Renewable & algal H2 were DOE R&D focus 2000-2004 • Late 2004 DOE awards $~10 million for algal H2 R&D• After G.W. Bush re-election, in early 2005 DOE rescinds awards and administration shift to lignocellulosic ethanol
20
Jackson and Ellms (1886): H2 Evolution by Anabaena cylindrica - collected from a pond, placed into glass bottle
Jackson and Ellms (1886): H2 Evolution by Anabaena cylindrica - collected from a pond, placed into glass bottle
21
The Chloroplast-Ferredoxin-Hydrogenase SystemThe Chloroplast-Ferredoxin-Hydrogenase System –(Benemann et al., 1973): Splitting water with photons
Direct biophotolysis2H2O 2H2 + O2
Chloroplasts Ferredoxin
Hydro-genase
22
Benemann et al (1973) Proc. National Academy Sciences : Chloroplast - Ferredoxin - Hydrogenase Reaction
in vitro direct biophotolysis (biological water splitting)
Benemann et al (1973) Proc. National Academy Sciences : Chloroplast - Ferredoxin - Hydrogenase Reaction
in vitro direct biophotolysis (biological water splitting) Assay Contents micromoles H2 /15 min_______________________________________________________ Basic System (Chloroplast-Ferredoxin-Hydrogenase) 0.25
“ " + DCMU (Control - inhibits O2 production) 0.00
" " - Light ( Control, in dark) 0.00
" “ + Ascorbate + DCPIP + DCMU (bypass PSII, no O2) 1.54
" " + glucose + glucose oxidase (consume O2) 1.40
" " + glucose + glucose oxidase + DCMU (Control) 0.00
using heated Chloroplasts (Control) 0.01_______________________________________________________________CONCLUSION: Direct biophotolysis severely limited by O2 produced
The basic system contained 0.8 mg chlorophyll of fresh spinach chloroplast fragments, 18 nmol of ferredoxin and 470 ug of hydrognase (both from Clostridium klyveri), 15 umol HEPES buffer pH 7.6, 1.5 umol MgCl2, 2 umol NH4Cl
23
N2-fixing Anabaena cylindrica with heterocyststhe first alga, cyanobacterium I studied, early
1970s, demonstrating heterocyst function
N2-fixing Anabaena cylindrica with heterocyststhe first alga, cyanobacterium I studied, early
1970s, demonstrating heterocyst function
Heterocyst(N2NH3protein)
Akinete (a spore)
vegetative cells (produce O2) vegetative cells
Heterocystsare site of nitrogenase enzyme where it is protected from O2
24
Model of Heterocystous Cyanobacteria for H2 Production -- “Indirect Biophotolysis” Model of Heterocystous Cyanobacteria for H2 Production -- “Indirect Biophotolysis”
Nitrogenase produces H2 in absence of N2, thus we can make H2 with this alga, split water
Benemann and Weare. "Hydrogen Evolution by Nitrogen-Fixing Anabaena cylindrica.“ Science 184, 175 (1974).
25
24
20
16
12
8
4
LESSON: Nutrient limitation can be used to make algae work as catalysts that convert sunlight into products without biomass production:
PHOTOSYNTHESIS FACTORIES
Expt. stopped
26
1998
27
28
“Microalgae biotech could be a huge source of H2 fuel”Jae Edmonds, World Industrial Biotech Congress, 2004“Microalgae biotech could be a huge source of H2 fuel”Jae Edmonds, World Industrial Biotech Congress, 2004
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
1990 2005 2020 2035 2050 2065 2080 2095
EJ/y
ear
BiomassElectrolysisCoalGasOilBiotechnology
Direct biological production of H2.
29
#1. Microalgae H2 Production: the continuing Saga #1. Microalgae H2 Production: the continuing Saga • First report of H2 production in 1880s by cyanobacteria • First lab studies of green algae H2 production in 1940s • Proposals for practical algae H2 production in 1950s. • 1973 Energy Crisis ignites interest in algal H2 production • Microalgae H20 splitting to O2 + H2 published 1973, 74 • R&D over following two decades in algal H2 production • One R&D focus was ‘direct biophotolysis’ – impossible?• 2000 Election: both US political parties support H2 R&D • Renewable & algal H2 were DOE R&D focus 2000-2004 • Late 2004 DOE awards $~10 million for algal H2 R&D• After G.W. Bush re-election, in early 2005 DOE rescinds awards and administration shift to lignocellulosic ethanol
• Algal H2 production R&D continues, in many countries.
30
CONCLUSIONS:Algae make H2! But >40 years ofapplied R&D, not yet demonstrated a single plausible mechanism to produce H2 fuel!
A CAUTIONARY TALENot all R&D leads to success
31
OUTLINE OF TALKOUTLINE OF TALK#1. Microalgae H2 Production –
The Continuing Saga
#2. Algae Carbohydrate Production –The Fermentation Gambit
#3. Microalgae Oil Production –The Biofuels Moonshot
#4. The Economics of Algal Biofuels
32
Seaweed culture is a traditional technology Seaweed culture is a
traditional technology
33
Seaweed Culture: Porphyra sp. (Nori)Seaweed Culture: Porphyra sp. (Nori)
34
35
But on $ $ basis microalgae >20% of total
36
Stinking mats of seaweed (Sargassum) piling up on Caribbean beaches
Stinking mats of seaweed (Sargassum) piling up on Caribbean beaches
Cancun, Mexico, Aug 8 2015
Puerto Rico , August 8 2015
37
Peter Neushul, 1989 “Seaweeds for War: California’s WWI Kelp Industry “
Peter Neushul, 1989 “Seaweeds for War: California’s WWI Kelp Industry “
Over 1 million tons of Macrocystis pyrifera harvested and fermented by bacteria into ~10 million gallons of acetone (+ butanol, potash) in San Diego, California, 1916-1919, during WW1, for British Navy, needed for cordite manufacturing)
38
Late 1970’s: Conceptual Design of a 400 hectare “Food and Energy - Open Ocean Seaweed Farm” Late 1970’s: Conceptual Design of a 400 hectare “Food and Energy - Open Ocean Seaweed Farm”
Methane production from kelp by anaerobic digestion
39
Adult Macrocystis pyrifera Plant Adult Macrocystis pyrifera Plant
40
41
http://www.scribd.com/doc/16595766/Seaweed-Feasibility-Final-Report#scribd
“Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Offshore Seaweed Farming for Bioenergy and Biobased Products”Roesjadi, Coppinger, Huesemann, Forster, Benemann, March 2008, PNNL (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
California Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
42
History of US Department of Energy macroalgae projects –
major conclusions
History of US Department of Energy macroalgae projects –
major conclusions
John BenemannMicroBio Engineering, Inc., San Luis Obispo, California
February 11, 2016Washington DC.
US Dept. Energy ARPA-E Macroalgae Workshop
43
Huesemann et al. 2012 Bioresource Technology “Acetone-butanol fermentation of Marine Microalgae” (US DOE Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Fermentation of kelp [Saccharina sp.] Butanol and total solvent yields were 0.12 g/g and 0.16 g/g, respectively. Improvements needed to make industrial seaweed fermentations economically feasible
44
45
Recently proposals for seaweed biofuels in Europe , Korea, Japan, etc. - combine seaweed biofuels
with offshore wind, bivalve or fish aquaculture, etc.
Recently proposals for seaweed biofuels in Europe , Korea, Japan, etc. - combine seaweed biofuels
with offshore wind, bivalve or fish aquaculture, etc.
46
47Image: B. H. Buck (AWI)
The Challenge of Open Ocean Seaweed Cultivation
48
OUTLINE OF TALKOUTLINE OF TALK#1. Microalgae H2 Production –
The Continuing Saga
#2. Algae Carbohydrate Production –The Fermentation Gambit
#3. Microalgae Oil Production –The Biofuels Moonshot
#4. The Economics of Algal Biofuels
49
Production of Microalgae for FuelsProduction of Microalgae for FuelsUS DOE Aquatic Species Program : Algae-to-Oil based on Benemann et al., 1978, 1982, UC Berkeley US DOE Aquatic Species Program : Algae-to-Oil based on Benemann et al., 1978, 1982, UC Berkeley
50
J. Sheehan, P. Roessler, T. Dunahay, J. Weissman J. Benemann(Principal Investigator)
Paul Roessler prior Joe Weissmanat Synthetic Genomics now at ExxonMobilNow at Algenol in Florida
THE US DOE AQUATIC SPECIES PROGRAM - 1980 – 1996
51
“The year was 1975, and my professor in Berkeley asked me if I wanted to change the world, and I said, sure, lets grow algae, that started it…”
ExxonMobil 30 sec TV spot, 2010-11
… From a 2010 TV Advert by ExxonMobil
… From a 2010 TV Advert by ExxonMobil
52
Interview by Charlie Rose, PBS, with CEO Rex Tillerson, ExxonMobil, March 12, 2013.
Charlie Rose: “…in a 2009 joint venture with J. Craig Venter’s Synthetic Genomics, Exxon predicted it could produce fuels in 5 to 10 years”
Rex Tillerson: “Exxon is at Least 25 Years away from making fuel from algae ” … “We’ve come to understand some limits of that technology, or limits as we understand it today, which doesn’t mean it’s limited forever”
53
Joule, Red Rock Biofuelsto merge, Nov 12, 2015
Layoff 60+ workers…CEO Serge Tchuruk (former CEO of Total) returns to board role
Algenol CEO Paul Woods resigns Oct 23, 2015
Lay off 45+ staffWoods stays on board Investments
total in both: ~$ ½ billion
Two examples of algae biofuel companies that promised much but failed to deliver… Two examples of algae biofuel companies that promised much but failed to deliver…
54… could we produce low cost algae oils?
55
Can algae oil compete with other crops?
56
40 ha biofuels demonstration plant,New Mexico40 ha biofuels demonstration plant,New Mexico
57
Sept 8 2009: The Sapphire Energy launches their 150 mpg "Algaeus" on 10-day US tour
(but only used 1 gallon of algae oil for this!]
Sept 8 2009: The Sapphire Energy launches their 150 mpg "Algaeus" on 10-day US tour
(but only used 1 gallon of algae oil for this!]
58
Professor Robert Dibble takes the Algeus for a spin…
Professor Robert Dibble takes the Algeus for a spin…
59
However, the Algeus was not the first car running on algae oil: Ramin Yazdani (Davis, CA) made ~ 1 barrel of B10 algae biodiesel in his backyard refinery using an extract of
However, the Algeus was not the first car running on algae oil: Ramin Yazdani (Davis, CA) made ~ 1 barrel of B10 algae biodiesel in his backyard refinery using an extract ofextract of Dunaliella salina extract I gave him (December 2005). Ran his diesel Mercedes ~1,500 miles with it
60
BASF Dunaliella salina production of beta-barotene in Australia (100 ha ponds)
(A plant now being constructed in KSA by a NAQUA and BASF joint venture]
BASF Dunaliella salina production of beta-barotene in Australia (100 ha ponds)
(A plant now being constructed in KSA by a NAQUA and BASF joint venture]
61
NAQUA Dunaliella Ponds (South of Jeddah]
Jeddah 150 km
1 km2
shrimp ponds
NAQUA Dunaliella Ponds (South of Jeddah]
Jeddah 150 km
1 km2
shrimp ponds
62
NAQUA (KSA) Shrimp Ponds Partial ViewDunaliella
ponds
NAQUA (KSA) Shrimp Ponds Partial ViewDunaliella
ponds
63Botryococcus braunii
64
WAKE and HILLEN, Melbourne, AustraliaIn 1976 a "bloom" estimated at 1500 to 3000 ton… the alga has a high liquid hydrocarbon content, sufficient to cause flotation of the algal colonies. … hydrocracked to produce a distillate: 67% gasoline, 15% aviation fuel, 15% diesel fuel, 3% residual oil
65
66
Petrobras, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, launch algal biofuels pilot
Extremoz , April 3, 2012
Petrobras, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, launch algal biofuels pilot
Extremoz , April 3, 2012 “The production of microalgae is a priority of the research projects of Petrobras, because of their yield potential, and is active in the absorption of CO2 and water cleaning. ”
Miguel Rossetto, President, Petrobras Biofuel
67
OUTLINE OF TALKOUTLINE OF TALK#1. Microalgae H2 Production –
The Continuing Saga
#2. Algae Carbohydrate Production –The Fermentation Gambit
#3. Microalgae Oil Production –The Biofuels Moonshot
#4. The Economics of Algal Biofuels
68
OUTLINE OF TALKOUTLINE OF TALK#1. Microalgae H2 Production –
The Continuing Saga
#2. Algae Carbohydrate Production –The Fermentation Gambit
#3. Microalgae Oil Production –The Biofuels Moonshot
#4. The Dismal Economics of Algal Biofuels
69
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Ryan Davis et al. “Process Design and Economics for Production of Algal Biomass Open Pond Systems”
2,000 ha unlined ponds, 20% solids paste (afdw), 84 mt/ha-year with CO2 input cost at $45/mt, with systems designs provided by: Leidos Engineering – Crump (novel serpentine pond designs); Global Algae Innovations - Hazlebeck (0.1% sloped ponds)MicroBio Engineering - Woertz, Lundquist, Benemann (standard raceway ponds - Benemann et al, 1982; Lundquist et al., 2010) Harris Group, Lukas and Sexton (review of MicroBio Engineering)
CONCLUSIONS: Avg. biomass selling price: $500/mt for a 4 ha pond design by Microbio Eng. (lower than the others)
NREL/TP-5100-64772 February 2016 NREL/TP-5100-64772 February 2016
70
Example of Schematic of Standard Raceway Ponds Example of Schematic of Standard Raceway Ponds
CO2 SumpPaddle Wheel
71
Ponds, Christchurch 5 Ha 4 ponds, $<500K Dr. Rupert Craggs, NIWA, New Zealand (Ponds destroyed by earthquakes, rebuilt in N. island)
Sump for CO2 transfer Paddle wheel
Lamellar settler harvesting
72
Earthrise Nutritionals, LLC, California, 2015 ~20 ha of Spirulina production ponds
Earthrise Nutritionals, LLC, California, 2015 ~20 ha of Spirulina production ponds
Linablue Plant(Open July 31, 2015)
Larger PondsPlant expansion area
Today >99% of all commercial autotrophic microalgal biomass produced in open ponds, >95% in paddle wheel mixed raceway ponds
73
74
Global Algae Innovation (Hazlebeck) DesignGlobal Algae Innovation (Hazlebeck) Design
75
Hawaii Bioenergy – Global Algae Innovations LLC US DOE Algae Biofuels Project in Hawaii
Hawaii Bioenergy – Global Algae Innovations LLC US DOE Algae Biofuels Project in Hawaii
Gravity fed series of ponds,up to about ~1.3 ha,
no paddle wheel mixing
Power Plant(for CO2)
76
Leidos Co. Serpentine Design Leidos Co. Serpentine Design
77
Site of MicroBio Engineering Inc. DOE NETL project to capture CO2 from a Florida coal-fired power plant to algae for fuels / feeds
78“We seem to have a few problems going from lab-scale to full-scale production”
79
THE POTENTIAL AND PROMISE OF MICROALGAEcurrent feed crops vs. future algae feed/fuel crops
THE POTENTIAL AND PROMISE OF MICROALGAEcurrent feed crops vs. future algae feed/fuel cropsU.S. ANIMAL Avg. Yield Protein millions ha Total ProteinFEED CROP mt/ha-yr mt/ha-yr Harvested 1,000 mt/yr
CORN GRAIN 8.6* 0.86 28 24,100 SOYBEAN 2.7* 0.95 30 28,500MICROALGAE 100** 50 1 50,000
*Actual Yields dry matter and current acreage harvested ** Projected future yield for microalgae; typical protein content, 1 million ha harvested, produce 100 million mt biomassWould rival 10% global or all of US animal feed production … and may allow for net fossil CO2 emission reductions
80
Benemann, April 12 2015, Ministry of Agriculture, KSA Roadmap for Algal Industry Development in the Kingdom
81
COOIan Woertz
Neal Adler
CTO: Tryg Lundquist
Matt Hutton Ruth Spierling Braden Crowe
CEO: John Benemann
THANK YOU!
82
Delhi, CA, Algae Wastewater Treatment Plant Two ~1.5 Ha raceway paddle wheel mixed pondsDelhi, CA, Algae Wastewater Treatment Plant
Two ~1.5 Ha raceway paddle wheel mixed ponds
Site of Cal Poly / Microbio Engineering US DOE-Funded Project
Paddle wheels
ANY QUESTIONS?