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Property of Univenture, Inc. Patent Documents Filed
Univenture, Inc and AlgaeVenture Systems, LLC Harvesting,
Dewatering, and Drying Technology
Property of Univenture, Inc. Patent Documents Filed, Equipment
Built and Tested
Ross O. Youngs, AVS Team, 3/15/2009 The best way to describe our
breakthrough technology in algae harvesting, dewatering, and drying
is a model of natures liquid moving strategies in organisms. It has
been one of our focuses to simulate nature at its best. We had a
very difficult time finding a centrifuge in nature. Certainly there
is sedimentation, however, no biological system has anything even
remotely close to a functioning centrifuge. For that matter we
found it difficult to find flocculation or flotation occurring in a
biological organism. So we looked to nature to provide some insight
in how to move liquid.
We also learned that the average human body uses 96 watts to
perform all functions during a 24-hour period, including moving and
filtering 6,000 liters of viscous blood. So we focused on a
membrane, or screen, or filter, or mesh, or sieve and etc.
(hereafter called a screen) with the idea there was an opportunity
to improve the performance of screen separation of algal biomass
from water (solution). All literature describes screening of algae
as costly, inefficient, and problems because of clogged screens,
low flows, and mass that will stick to the screen regardless of
whether wet or dry.
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Property of Univenture, Inc. Patent Documents Filed
So it occurred to us that a centrifuge moves the entire mass of
water and its contents in order to separate into fractions. This
was also true of flocculation, flotation, and other methods to a
certain degree because the focus was on moving the algae and not
moving the water. A water molecule is 1/33,000 the size of a 10
micron algae. When differential pressure (even excessive
gravitational pressure in the form of a water column) is moved to
force algal mass and water through a screen, this energy compacts
the algal mass into a form that blocks water and impacts algal mass
into screen. So using several of natures gifts to move the water
molecules by changing the surface tension, adhesion, cohesion,
taking advantage of the meniscus being formed, a capillary action
from a compression pull (think artificial Transpirational) allowing
absorption and next, use waters surface area to mass to
dramatically improve evaporation (think of a water based paint
applied thin and how quick it dries). Surface tension can be broken
by hundreds of ways, however, a class of materials that were
patented several years ago has a combination of natural plus
synthetic materials called superabsorbent polymer (SAP) fabrics. It
is these SAP fabric material types of we call our cap belt and they
allow for simulating nature in multiple ways. These materials, when
put into contact with the bottom of the screen (water meniscus),
have the capability to move vast amounts of water without moving
the algae because the molecular bonds from water to water are
stronger then water to algae, as long as energy applied does not
break waters bonds to itself. The capillary effect and adhesion
effect (once wetted, and rung) can be designed to be continuous,
just like the screen can be designed to be continuous.
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Property of Univenture, Inc. Patent Documents Filed
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Property of Univenture, Inc. Patent Documents Filed
This continuous approach allows for a thin layer of algae to be
continuously processed from in solution to dry flake in a distance
of four feet at a scalable rate with scalable equipment. In our
prototype equipment, the rate exceeds 500 liters per hour on less
than 40 watts per hour of run time. Below is a photo of the algal
mass build up on our screen, the pattern is by process design and
can be modified to accommodate various options.
Screen Belt with Chlorella Vulgaris
Close up of dried flake.
1.25 dollars to Euro exchange rate 50% lipid 1 ton is a metric
ton or 2204.6 pounds or 1000 kilograms or 1,000,000
grams 7.2 pounds per gallon of lipid 1102.3 pounds of lipid per
ton, or 153.09 gallons per ton, or 3.645 barrels
per ton 42 gallons per barrel 1,000,000 grams = 1 metric ton If
we have 3g / liter we need to harvest 333,333 liters. If our
prototype harvester will process 500 liters per hour then we need
667
hours of equipment run time. AVS Harvester uses 40 watts per
hour (2 DC motors, 1 pump - heat is
expected to be waste heat so is not counted in energy model).
667 hours/1000 kWh X 40 watts/hour = 26.68 kWh If one kWh is .072
then total cost of electricity is 1.92 per ton If @ .4g/l the
electricity is $7.20 /ton (DC motor speed reduction saves 20
watts per hour).
Process $ / Ton $ / Barrel $ / Gallon
Centrifuge 3,400.00 932.78 22.209
Pre- concentrate Centrifuge
875.00 240.06 5.716
AVS HDD 1.92 .51 .012
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Property of Univenture, Inc. Patent Documents Filed
Numerous alternatives of our technology have been contemplated
and documented in our patent filings and following are three. Not
all options contemplated will result in additional patent filings.
Once we determine strong patentability of a particular innovation
then we will choose the best course of action.
Utilization of this technology for extension/multiple step
milking of extracellular lipids from live algae using appropriate
solvents.
Processing sequence utilizing self-cleaning automation with a
surfactant or detergent to renew the cap belt and screen after
extended usage. Potentially the cleaning to occur with nutrients
influx into the pond.
Portable prescreened harvesters located in natural or manmade
waters where excessive nutrients have led to bloom conditions for
microalgae.
It is our intention to continue to pursue multiple patents
worldwide in the various areas of applications, of which algae
harvesting, dewatering, and drying is just one of those various
areas. It is also our intention to find a workable early stage
arrangement for research licensing in order to advance the
technology we possess. We want to work with people who want to work
with us. We are looking for customers, collaborators, funding, and
investors, not competitors. The ideal relationship would be as
partnering with distinct focus and responsibilities and cooperation
for mutual benefits. Certainly we will continue to focus the other
segments of AlgaeVenture Systems mostly outside of the desert.