Univenture, Inc and AlgaeVenture Systems, LLC

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 nature’s 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.
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 nature’s 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 water’s 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 water’s 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.
Property of Univenture, Inc.
Patent Documents Filed
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.
Process
$ / Ton
$ / Barrel $ / Gallon
Centrifuge
3,400.00
932.78
22.209
Preconcentrate
Centrifuge
875.00
240.06
5.716
AVS
HDD
1.92
.51
.012
Property of Univenture, Inc.
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).
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.
Property of Univenture, Inc.
Patent Documents Filed