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Large Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels Dr. Bryan Willson Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer Solix Biofuels June 28, 2009
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Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Mar 20, 2020

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Page 1: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Large Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels

Dr. Bryan WillsonCo-Founder & Chief Technology Officer

Solix BiofuelsJune 28, 2009

Page 2: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

About Solix Biofuels• Solix is the leading developer of production systems for algae-based biofuels – with a background in fuels and a focus on low-cost, high productivity production technology

• Solix’s cost trajectory shows that fuel production from algae can be cost-competitive with petroleum – but requires full value extraction from the production co-products

• Solix will soon demonstrate the world’s largest closed photobioreactor for biofuelproduction.

3 Points:

2

Page 3: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusions

Solix / Algae Intro

Page 4: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

About Solix Biofuels• Focused on the development and commercialization of large-scale algae-to-biofuels systems

• Launched in March, 2006• Located in Fort Collins, Colorado• Privately funded• 50+ employees: 40 full-time

+ 15 FTE from students / faculty• Headquartered at CSU Engines &

Energy Conversion Laboratory• Solix facilities

• 6,000 ft2 office space, 18,000 ft2 lab / fab space• Outdoor R&D facility in Fort Collins• Scaleup facility being constructed in SW Colorado

• Significant strategic partners in industry, science and engineering

About Solix

4

Page 5: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

BIOMASS:Carbs

ProteinLipids

7

Basic Photosynthesis

Page 6: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Processing

6

Page 7: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

7

01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0006,0007,0008,000

Soy Canola Corn (ETOH)

Palm Algae

Ga

llo

ns

/Acre

/Yea

r

Land & Water Efficiency

Annual Production• Soybean: 40 to 50 gal/acre• Rapeseed: 110-145 gal/acre• Mustard: 140 gal/acre• Jatropha: 175 gal/acre• Palm oil: 650 gal/acre• Algae est.: 5,000-10,000 gal/acre

7,000 “nominal”

Page 8: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Ya gotta dream. . .

"We expect to produce 100,000 gallons (of vegetable oil) per acre per year," which is a much higher yield than soybeans and other plants being used for biofuel…”

But you also gotta obey the laws of physics. . .

Realism

8

Page 9: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

(1) Schenk, 2008(2) Chisti, 2007(3) NREL ASP, Sheehan et al., 1998

(4) Schenk, 2008(5) Chisti, 2007(6) Report on CNN, Apr 4, 2008

Wide range of projections…

What is the ultimate upper limit?

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

L∙ac

-1∙y

r-1

gal∙a

c-1∙y

r-1

Algae Oil Projections

Motivation

Page 10: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Energy STORED as oil

Inherent photosynthetic loss

Light transmission loss

Reduced photon absorption

Cellular energy use

Non-oil biomass

Non-PAR solar energy

Method

Page 11: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Practical Maximum Range: 4,900 – 6,500 gal∙acre-1∙yr-1

Practical Case: Results

Page 12: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

12

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)L∙

ac-1

∙yr-1

gal∙a

c-1∙y

r-1

Algae Oil Projections

Ultimate theoretical maximum: 53,000 gal∙acre-1∙yr-1

Practical Range: 4,900 – 6,500 gal∙acre-1∙yr-1

Conclusions

Page 13: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix Focus Area

Upstream Biology R&D

SpeciesSelection

AlgalGrowth System

Harvesting Technology

ExtractionTechnologies

BiocrudeRefining

BiodieselDistribution

s s e e So c eate, de e a d captu e a ue t e b o ue s ue s a et space by

e ect e y dep oy g o t e s e tec o og es a d g tec o ogy gaps t e de e y o e c e t

g o t a d a est g syste s

Solix must effectively partner with key strategic companies that provide the other

elements in the overall value chain to deliver value to the market.

Flue GasSpeciationTechnology

13

Page 14: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusions

Open Pond Overview

Page 15: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

15

Open Pond Cultivation:Dunaliella, Eilat, Israel

15

Page 16: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

16 16

Open Pond Production: EarthriseSpirulina. California

Page 17: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

17 17

Open Pond Production: SeambioticNanno. Ashkelon, Israel

Page 18: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

18 18

Advantages• Lowest capital cost• Only technology demonstrated

at large scale – to date• Can maintain specific cultures

of extremophilesDisadvantages• Allows contamination of

specific culturewith local species / strains

• Potential for loss / migration of GMO • Susceptible to weather • Water loss from evaporation / percolation

Open Pond Attributes

Page 19: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusions

Closed Photobioreactor Overview

Page 20: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

20

Direct Light PBRs:GreenFuels, 1st Gen

20

Page 21: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

21

Direct Light PBRs:AlgaeLink / Bioking

21

Page 22: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

22 22

Direct Light PBRs:Solix, Gen1 (1st Generation)

Page 23: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Photosynthetic Efficiency

Irradiance, Ed(arbitrary units)

Effic

ienc

y, ≈

P/E d

~15%-20% of full sun

23

Page 24: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Impact of Light Intensity

10%

40%

70%

100%

Note: 10X increase in light, but only 3.5X increase in output. Implies a 3X reduction in photosynthetic efficiency.

Conversely, if diffuse light can be used over extended surface area, 3X increase in output possible.

24

Page 25: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Extended Area PBRs

Glass Plate Photobioreactor(Pulz, Richmond, others)

Glass Tube Photobioreactor(Pulz, IGV, Ketura, Torzillo, others) 25

Page 26: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

26 26

Utilizes diffuse light, short photic distances (approaches ideal cycle time of 20 ms) for high photosynthetic efficiency

≈5 m2 illuminated area for 1 m2 of ground area

IGV Diffuse PBR

Page 27: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

27 27

Pumped Tubewall PBR: IGV Haematococcus Pluvialis

Page 28: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

28 28

High-Growth Phase Stress Phase

Pumped Tubewall PBR: AlgaTechHaematococcus Pluvialis

Page 29: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

29 29

Advantages• Allow growth of specific cultures• Allows environmental control• Potential for much higher growth rates (with

extended surface area and/or high turbulence)Disadvantages• Potential for high capital cost• Potential for high energy costs• Low-cost production has not been demonstrated

Closed PBR Attributes

Page 30: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusions

Solix AGS System

Page 31: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Direct Light PBR:Low Cost & Productivity

Diffuse PBR:High Cost & Productivity

31

Cost vs. Productivity

Page 32: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G2 – May ‘07

32

Page 33: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Photo-bioreactor (G3)

Solix G3 Technology:• Extended surface area• Water supported• Integrated CO2 / air sparging• G4 – membrane exchange in development

33

Page 34: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

34

Page 35: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

35

Page 36: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

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Page 37: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

37

Page 38: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

38

Page 39: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

39

Page 40: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

40

Page 41: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G3 (cont)

41

Page 42: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Colorado – Algae Paradise?

42

Page 43: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Solix G4

Solix G4a Technology:• Membrane CO2 delivery• Membrane O2 removal, internal• Reduced thickness / higher density

Solix G4b Technology:• Membrane CO2 delivery• Membrane O2 removal, external• Reduced thickness / higher density

43

Page 44: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Potential Open-Water Application

44

Page 45: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

45

Offshore Production?Denmark Workshop, Apr 20-22

45

Page 46: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusions

Harvesting & Extraction

Page 47: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Extraction

47

Page 48: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Extraction

48

Page 49: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Extraction

49

Page 50: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Automation & Controls• Automates

conditions for optimal productivity of different organisms in different climates

• Gives predictive and diagnostic capabilities

Model-Based Control

50

Page 51: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Biology

51

Page 52: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

52

Fuel Properties - General

52

Page 53: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

53

Fuel Properties - General

• Algal oil is unique in that it tends to contain a significant quantity (~5-20% by volume) of long highly unsaturated oils, which are rarely observed in more traditional biodiesel feedstocks, such as soy and rapeseed (canola) oil.

• The two most common types of long and highly unsaturated oils found in algae oil tested to date are eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

53

Page 54: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

54

Saturated Acids Mono Unsaturated

Acids

Total Poly Unsaturated

Acids10:0 12:0 14:0 16:0 18:0 >18:0 16:1 18:1 22:1 n:2 n:3 n:4-6

Coconut 7 47 15 8 2 6 2Palm 3 40 3 46Rapeseed 3 2 1 1 12 55 15 8Soybean 9 4 8 1 26 55 6Nannochloropsis Oculata

2 15 2 2 16 10 1 6 4 31

Nannochloropsis sp.

3 14 11 3 19 6 7 3 20

Fatty acid content varies widely depending on the feedstock. The chemical composition has implications in terms of combustion characteristics.

methyl dodecanoate (coconut) methyl linoleate (soy) eicosapentaeonic acid methyl ester (algae)

Feedstock Composition

Page 55: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

55

Composite Algal Oil

• Algal oil differs from soy and rapeseed in that many algae species under consideration produce up 20% of Omega-3 fatty acids.

• For engine tests, “synthetic” algae oil is created by mixing a variety of vegetable oils with pharmaceutical grade fish oil.

• Pharmaceutical grade fish oil is used as a source of Omega-3 fatty acids found in algal oil (e.g EPA and DHA)

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

12:0

14:0

14:1

15:0

16:0

16:1

17:0

17:1

18:0

18:1

18:2

18:3

G18

:320

:020

:120

:220

:320

:3 H

G20

:420

:522

:022

:122

:222

:422

:522

:623

:024

:024

:1un

know

n

Frac

tion

of C

ompo

sitio

n

Fatty Acid Molecule

Fish Oil Profile

EPA

DHA

Page 56: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusions

Scaleup

Page 57: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

57

Page 58: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Scaling Up. . .

58

Page 59: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

400 feet

New Site:Southwest Colorado, Coyote Gulch

Page 60: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Coyote Gulch

Page 61: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusionsProduction Costs

Page 62: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Economic Overview

Solix “Economics”

Economics (Per Unit Area)

Yield

Biomass Growth

% Oil

Cost

Operating Expense

Capital Expense

Scale

Land

Capital

Engineering

62

Page 63: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

System Analysis / Modeling

63

Page 64: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Technology Status

Technology Development Process

64

Page 65: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

65

Page 66: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

OutlineSolix / Algae IntroOpen Pond OverviewClosed Photobioreactor OverviewSolix AGS SystemHarvesting & ExtractionScaleupProduction CostsConclusionsConclusions

Page 67: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

• Economical biofuel production appears feasible, using low-cost high productivity photobioreactors

• Requires tight coupling of biology and engineering

• Value of co-products must be captured; may approach or exceed value of oil

• Systems modeling/integration required to achieve cost targets

67

Conclusions

Page 68: Large Scale Production of Microalgae for BiofuelsLarge Scale Production of Microalgae for Biofuels. Dr. Bryan Willson. Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer. Solix Biofuels. June 28,

Contact InformationDr. Bryan Willson

Professor, Colorado State UniversityChief Technology Officer, Solix Biofuels

[email protected](970) 491-4783