Independence Bio-Products Algae Production System

Independence Bio-Products (IBP) of Dublin, Ohio has received a patent from the U.S. Patent Office covering the company’s low-cost open-pond system for producing algae year-round, regardless of climate or season. IBP’s system uses heat recovered from power plants and other manufacturing facilities to maintain water temperatures within precise temperature ranges that optimize algae production.

The patent for invention number 7,905,049 B2 covers methods and systems for growing algae in water with a heating source; drying the algae with a heat source; and alternatively partially covering the body of water where the algae is grown. Heat recovery systems, algae processing and covers are also included.

The CO2 delivery system at the demonstration project
The CO2 delivery system at the demonstration project 

IBP’s low-cost open-pond system was validated in an 18-month demonstration project adjacent to a power plant in Shadyside, Ohio. The project used CO2 from the power plant to feed the algae while waste heat recovered from the plant was used to ensure proper water temperatures. This newly patented system enabled IBP to grow algae year-round, even during harsh winter months. The project yielded algae solids for animal feeds and algae oil.

To access heat and CO2, IBP’s patented system will be deployed adjacent to coal-fired power plants and other industrial facilities, producing significantly more feed per acre than traditional crops, Erd noted. The company is now developing a 400-acre project in Texas on reclaimed mining land. The facility is scheduled to open in 2012, with potential future expansion to more than 20,000 acres.

Source: http://www.algaeindustrymagazine.com/independence-bio-products-algae-production-system/

Worldwide largest closed algae production plant

IGV hands over worldwide largest closed algae production plant in Spain

Anlage_Spanien_1 After EADS and IGV together demonstrated the first flight with 100% algal fuel on the international air show ILA 2010, a further milestone was achieved in the development of algae mass cultivation for oil-production. On February 10, 2011 the algae production plant „PBR 85.000“ of the IGV GmbH Potsdam was handed over ready for production and accepted by the Spanish Aurantia-group.
The site is situated in the sun-drenched Andalusia in Southern Spain, near to Jerez. The photobioreactor = PBR has a total volume of 85.000 liter and is therefore the world’s largest closed facility for the production of microalgae ever build and successfully brought into operation. In 35 kilometer glass tube on a footprint of 1.000 m², in which algae capture sunlight and efficiently photosynthesize, they generate energy rich oils which can be used in the production of fuels.

Up to now such a density was never reached and implemented so far. The 85.000 liter- facility is a culmination point in the 30 year development work of IGV as well as internationally for the development of microalgal biotechnology.
Nevertheless IGV researchers do not dwell on this milestone but already develop a new and even more efficient reactor type in which algae, for instance for aviation fuels, will be produced economically.
The Land Government of Brandenburg together with large corporations strongly back this development.

Source: http://www.igv-gmbh.com/news/press/worldwide-largest-closed-algae-production-plant.html