Growing aquatic biomass, and producing biomass feedstock and biocrude therefrom

• US 8,623,634 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2010
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MARD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kior Inc.
• Inventors: Yanik, Steve, Bartek, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Weber, Jon P
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOORE, LARRY J
• Application Number:
  US12/818,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20110023565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 443/07, 47/14, 71/11, 422/187, 435/277.1, 210/602, 705/39
• US Class Current: 435/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 11/00 Other organic fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/08 with moving catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/145 the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 30/00 Technologies relating to oil refining and petrochemical industry
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/20 using renewable energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

A method for producing biomass and sequestering greenhouse gas includes providing a greenhouse gas, providing light energy, and growing algae in a growth container with the greenhouse gas and the light energy. The algae can be processed into a biomass feedstock. The biomass feedstock can be converted into a fuel or specialty chemical. At least a portion of the algae can be used as a fertilizer for a biomass growth source.

Claims

1. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility; and

wherein the algae comprises macro algae.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the growth container comprises a flexible pouch adapted for growing macro algae.

2. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility; and

wherein the growth container comprises a stirring reactor with an internal light source and reflective inner wall.

3. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility; and

wherein the growth container includes a sluice comprising an optically transparent region, and wherein a suspension of the algae is circulated through the sluice and the light energy is provided to the algae through the optically transparent region.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the suspension of the algae comprises about 5% by weight micro algae in an aqueous liquid.

5. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility;

wherein the algae is dewatered, agitated and contacted with a catalyst prior to the catalytic cracking; and

wherein the catalyst comprises acid alum and sodium silicate.

6. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility; and

further comprising flocculating the algae with a plurality of solid biomass particles.

8. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility; and

wherein immature algae cells are added to the growth container.

9. A method for producing biocrude from algae comprising:

growing the algae in a growth container with a greenhouse gas and light energy; and

catalytically cracking substantially all of the organic components of the algae to produce a biocrude, wherein the greenhouse gas comprises CO2 provided directly from an adjacent industrial facility;

wherein a liquid comprising sewage is introduced to the growth container and wherein algae is grown in the liquid; and

wherein purified water is separated from the liquid with a one-way osmotic membrane in fluid communication with the growth container.