Pilot Algal Lipids Manufacturing in the UK (PALM-UK)
Lead Research Organisation:
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Department Name: Plymouth Marine Lab
Abstract
A biorefinery uses biomass rather than crude oil to produce energy or chemicals. The term 'biorefinery' is routinely articulated in IB circles, but the concept has, as yet, never been fully realised. The objective of this project is to generate robust process economics for a fully-fledged biorefinery that will not just break even but, moreover, prove highly profitable. If successful, the project will generate £24.5m investment from the Malaysian Govt. to realise the technology at scale. The project will involve functionalising microalgae to produce a range of products that can be separated using a low-cost, continuous flow, downstream processing system. It is innovative in that it will marry the best aspects of the conventional oil refinery (100% feedstock utilisation & high throughputs) with the best aspects of IB (functional complexity and environmentally benign processing).
Technical Summary
A biorefinery uses biomass rather than crude oil to produce energy or chemicals. The term 'biorefinery' is routinely articulated in IB circles, but the concept has, as yet, never been fully realised. The objective of this project is to generate robust process economics for a fully-fledged biorefinery that will not just break even but, moreover, prove highly profitable. If successful, the project will generate £24.5m investment from the Malaysian Govt. to realise the technology at scale. The project will involve functionalising microalgae to produce a range of products that can be separated using a low-cost, continuous flow, downstream processing system. It is innovative in that it will marry the best aspects of the conventional oil refinery (100% feedstock utilisation & high throughputs) with the best aspects of IB (functional complexity and environmentally benign processing).
Planned Impact
As described in proposal submitted to IUK
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Michael Allen (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Abeln F
(2019)
Lipid production through the single-step microwave hydrolysis of macroalgae using the oleaginous yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima
in Algal Research
Beacham T
(2017)
Large scale cultivation of genetically modified microalgae: A new era for environmental risk assessment
in Algal Research
Beacham T
(2019)
Analysis of Seaweeds from South West England as a Biorefinery Feedstock
in Applied Sciences
Coma M
(2017)
Organic waste as a sustainable feedstock for platform chemicals.
in Faraday discussions
D'Adamo S
(2019)
Engineering the unicellular alga Phaeodactylum tricornutum for high-value plant triterpenoid production.
in Plant biotechnology journal
Landels A
(2019)
Improving electrocoagulation floatation for harvesting microalgae.
in Algal research
Landels A
(2017)
Vortex Structures in Fluid Dynamic Problems
Mayers J
(2020)
An energy and resource efficient alkaline flocculation and sedimentation process for harvesting of Chromochloris zofingiensis biomass
in Bioresource Technology Reports
Piccini M
(2019)
A synergistic use of microalgae and macroalgae for heavy metal bioremediation and bioenergy production through hydrothermal liquefaction
in Sustainable Energy & Fuels
Raikova S
(2016)
Assessing hydrothermal liquefaction for the production of bio-oil and enhanced metal recovery from microalgae cultivated on acid mine drainage
in Fuel Processing Technology
| Title | Halloween Phaeodactylum |
| Description | This is a digitally enhanced image of Phaeodactylum created for Halloween to help dispel the myth that GMO microalgae are scary. "#GM #GMO #Microalgae are usually safe, except this blood thirsty #Halloween #Phaeodactylum #tricornutum a.k.a. #PhaeoDRACULUM #DieForSputum" |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | 1,181 impressions on Twitter. |
| URL | https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Phaeodactylum |
| Title | Microalgae Calendar |
| Description | A series of 12 images of microalgae generated by SEM, in collaboration with PhotoQuest and part funded by BBSRC Phyconet. One of the images was the strain used in the PALM-UK project. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | We created around 200 copies of the calendar and gave them away to stakeholders in the algal biotechnology sector. This created lots of potential leads which we are currently progressing including with Sellafield. |
| URL | http://www.phyconet.org.uk/uncategorized/phyconet-calendar |
| Description | The PALM-UK project allowed us to investigate a wide range of up and down stream processing techniques which can be applied to industrial algal biotechnology processes. We investigated biological, chemical and physical processes; utilising novel technologies from both in-house and external sources. Ultimately, perhaps our biggest breakthrough was the development of a technique based around electrochemical flocculation which can be used to quickly and cheaply harvest microalgal cells regardless of whether they are freshwater, brackish or saline in origin, and either motile or non-motile. Furthermore, as a major further improvement on this process, we identified a cheap, food grade additive which could be used to enhance the effectiveness of this process further. During the course of this work, we also developed a bespoke culturing and harvesting infrastructure (and the necessary know how) which can be used to generate large volumes of genetically modified microalgae. This infrastructure continues to be utilised by external parties (both academic and industrial), in particular on an I-UK funded grant featuring the multi-functionalization of microalgae for use in cattle feeds. Whilst the PALM-UK project was being undertaken, a new collaboration developed with a chemical engineering group at Bath University, funded in the same program (by EPSRC) looking to develop alternatives to palm oil. This has stimulated new and exciting research directions entirely unrelated to either project, associated with (1) heavy metal remediation using microalgae, leading to the creation of the GW4 Avarice Community and (2) Seaweed (macroalgae) research which has already led to the generation of half a dozen research publications, and EMFF (off shore cultivation) and GCRF (conversion of problematic seaweed in Caribbean region, PhycoMExUK) funding. |
| Exploitation Route | We are well positioned to help academic and industrial partners to both cultivate microalgae (wild type or genetically modified) to pilot scales in order to generate biomass for e.g. proof of principle studies or economic assessments. We are particularly interested in industrial/state partners seeking to remove problematic microalgae from water bodies (such as HABs) in ODA compliant countries,as well as nationally and internationally with stakeholders such as Sellafield Ltd (nuclear industry), Reym (waste management), Veolia (heavy metal remediation). We have also engaged with the aquaculture industry to develop our GM strains as drop in feed substitutes, this is something we are keen to build on in the future. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | Cambridge Uni Legislation for import of non-native algae from outside the EU |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Fertile Land from Fertile Seas, Newton Fund Impact Scheme (NFIS). |
| Amount | £400,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 540936868 |
| Organisation | Newton Fund |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2020 |
| End | 11/2021 |
| Description | Multifunctionalized Microalgae (MM) - A novel and flexible platform technology for maximising feed/energy conversion ratios and treating severe infections in livestock |
| Amount | £726,472 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 104981 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 02/2022 |
| Description | Phyconet_ViaBio |
| Amount | £600 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Unknown |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Department | Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 02/2017 |
| Description | Bath University: Palm Oil |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Department | Department of Chemical Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have recently signed an NDA with a group led by Dr Chris Chuck at Bath University to transfer knowledge regarding the vortex bioreactor function and operation. This is involved transferring a 10 L prototype to the Bath lab. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Bath will be assigning a PDRA to work on the vortex bioreactor in the coming year as part of their Innovate-UK/EPSRC project. |
| Impact | None as yet. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | ViaBio |
| Organisation | PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) |
| Country | Viet Nam |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We are currently developing the ViaBio concept to translate know how in algal processing into a HTL based pipeline for fuel and fertiliser production. This has involved writing a GCRF EPSRC proposal with the partners, attending a Workshop in Hanoi with partners and growing algae for preliminary assessment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Vietnamese partners at VAST have provided biomass, PVN have contributed analytical services, Bath have provided HTL analysis |
| Impact | Currently a manuscript in preparation, a GCRF-EPSRC proposal under consideration, and a small grant to supplement the UK aquaculture Initiative ODA call in preparation. This is a multidisciplinary collaboration involving ecologists, biologists, chemical engineering, economicists and industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | ViaBio |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Department | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are currently developing the ViaBio concept to translate know how in algal processing into a HTL based pipeline for fuel and fertiliser production. This has involved writing a GCRF EPSRC proposal with the partners, attending a Workshop in Hanoi with partners and growing algae for preliminary assessment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Vietnamese partners at VAST have provided biomass, PVN have contributed analytical services, Bath have provided HTL analysis |
| Impact | Currently a manuscript in preparation, a GCRF-EPSRC proposal under consideration, and a small grant to supplement the UK aquaculture Initiative ODA call in preparation. This is a multidisciplinary collaboration involving ecologists, biologists, chemical engineering, economicists and industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | ViaBio |
| Organisation | Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology |
| Department | Institute of Biotechnology |
| Country | Viet Nam |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are currently developing the ViaBio concept to translate know how in algal processing into a HTL based pipeline for fuel and fertiliser production. This has involved writing a GCRF EPSRC proposal with the partners, attending a Workshop in Hanoi with partners and growing algae for preliminary assessment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Vietnamese partners at VAST have provided biomass, PVN have contributed analytical services, Bath have provided HTL analysis |
| Impact | Currently a manuscript in preparation, a GCRF-EPSRC proposal under consideration, and a small grant to supplement the UK aquaculture Initiative ODA call in preparation. This is a multidisciplinary collaboration involving ecologists, biologists, chemical engineering, economicists and industry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Eden Project: Invisible Worlds. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Eden Project developed a permanent Invisible Worlds display to promote microbial life. We contributed the design of photobiorecators, microalgal strains and text describing our research team, the algae and the applications to which we put them. It is estimated that ~900,000 people will interact directly with this display over the course of its life. In addition, team members have given presentations at special events associated with the display. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/Mike_J_Allen/status/999687375621165056 |
| Description | Seminar_Bath |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Seminar on alternative approaches to chemical engineering |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Seminar_Plymouth |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Seminar given to at Plymouth University on innovation and research, which resulted in discussion and questions afterwards about career opportunities and development. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Regular project updates on progress within the project. #Palmuk hashtag. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/Mike_J_Allen |