AlgaeVenture Systems announces process to reduce cost of dewatering by 99 percent; potential breakthrough for algae commercialization

In Ohio, AlgaeVenture Systems will announce a new major algae dewatering system that lowers the cost of drying algae by 99 percent compared to centrifuge, or flocculation.  breakthrough later this morning in a webinar for investors.  “Our system currently provides a ton of dry mass at $1.72 ($1.90 metric ton) from a solution concentration of 3g/l microalgae,” said AlgaeVenture CEO Ross Youngs.  “At 400mg/liter concentration, the cost is $9.06 per metric ton.  Full-scale production model should improve on costs because of the scale related to the efficiencies of mechanized parts.” Al Darzins of NREL, speaking in Dayton last month indicated that economic viability for algae to oil cannot be achieved until the cost of harvesting, dewatering and drying is less than $50 per ton. This new technology, which has not yet been seen or independently reviewed, beats the NREL target by $48 per ton.

According to Youngs, “based on actual measurements of volumes, energies, and rates associated with our first generation prototype machine we have determined 500 liters of water containing Chlorella microalgae in densities of from 300mg/l to 3g/l can be harvested in a one-hour period using between 30 to 40 watts (this includes a transfer pump at ~ 7.0 watts).  Using a kilowatt price of $0.0725 the cost for harvesting, dewatering and drying a kilogram of dry algal mass in the 300mg/l to 3g/l range is ~ $0.0019 to $0.0145.   This compares to a cost of centrifugation concentration of a kilogram of microalgae at $3.45.  This also compares to a $0.89 cost of flocculation combined with flotation or sedimentation prior to further concentration by centrifugation or filtration.”

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