Light capture and processing technology for enhanced biofuel production by microalgae

Algae hold great promise for the large scale production of carbon-neutral biofuels that avoid many of the problems of terrestrial biofuels (such as Palm Oil) in that they require only about 10% of the space of terrestrial crops and can use waste water for growth and their nutrients. Current production systems are, however, uneconomic against both fossil and first generation biofuels and require significant step wise improvements to redress this. There are opportunities for improvements in the cost effectiveness of both upstream production and downstream processing of algae to close the gap between algal biofuel and fossil fuels but these will require radically different approaches from those currently employed.

This feasibility study project will be a collaboration between Xanthella, a biotechnology SME based in Oban who produce compact, efficient algal photo bioreactors, and a team of physicists at the University of St Andrews who are experts in optical materials and photophysics. The project aims to deliver a step change in the performance-cost ratio of algal photo bioreactors (PBRs) operating under solar illumination for the production of carbon neutral biofuels. This will be achieved through the development of an innovative solar light collection component for use in Xanthella's internally-lit photobioreactor designs.

This TSB project is led by Xanthella Ltd, who will be the main beneficiary of this research. Xanthella is developing innovative, low cost/high efficiency internally lit photobioreactors, with an aim to produce photobioreactor equipment that can produce algal oil at a fraction of the production cost of early-generation systems such as ponds and tubular photobioreactors. This feasibility study aims to deliver a step change in the performance-cost ratio of algal photo bioreactors (PBRs) operating under solar illumination for the production of carbon neutral biofuels. A successful outcome to the project would therefore be very beneficial to the goals of this UK SME, and lead to new product developments in
compact photobioreactors.

The research would ultimately have a broader societal benefit by helping to advance the cost effectiveness of algal biofuel production, and advance its take up in the UK and beyond. Algae hold great promise for the large scale production of carbon-neutral biofuels that avoid many of the problems of terrestrial biofuels (such as Palm Oil) in that they require only about 10% of the space of terrestrial crops and can use waste water for growth and their nutrients. Current production systems are, however, uneconomic against both fossil and first generation biofuels and require significant step wise improvements to redress this. The technology developed in this project aims to improve the cost effectiveness of production of algae, which would help to close the gap between algal biofuel and fossil fuels, potentially delivering huge
economic and societal benefits in the future.

The postdoctoral researcher working on the project will benefit from working in a multidisciplinary team and in close cooperation with an innovative UK SME. They will learn new skills related to industrial photobiology and energy production, and general skills of translational research.