Projectproject

Project

Practical Use of Algae Biomass Energy (Tsukuba International Strategic Zone)

We are conducting R&D on microalgae production using outdoor large-scale cultivation facilities. After harvesting,we extract algae oil and proceed to driving experiment with its blended fuels.

Research Facilities for Algae Biomass and Biofuel Production in Kurihara, Tsukuba, Ibaraki.

First driving experiment using algae blended fuel was performed on March 24th, 2014.

Botryococcus oil contained hand cream called “moina” appeared in market on November 2014. This is an outcome of our research collaboration with DENSO CORPORATION.

 

 

Research and Development for the Use of Microalgae Energy (Tohoku Recovery Next-Generation energy Research and Development Project)

Together with the Sendai City and Tohoku University, we are aiming to construct a new circulation system in the waste water treatment process, which produces oil by algae and uses the oil in the sludge incineration facility.

This will be achieved by combining the cultivation of two types of algae (Aurantiochytrium and Botryococcus braunii) in the sewage treatment process at Minami-Gamo Wastewater Treatment Plant, which sustained damage by the tsunami.

    :Oil production process by algae
Sustainable system of oil production in the sewage treatment and its use as fuel in the sludge incineration.

 

  • Aurantiochytrium produces oil by absorbing the organic matters found in sewage sludge.
  • Botryococcus braunii is a photosynthetic alga and it absorbs nitrogen and phosphorus in the treated sewage water as nutrients and produces oil.
  • Waste heat and waste CO2 generated during the sludge incineration process are used in the cultivation of algae.
  • The algae oil, which is produced during the sewerage treatment process can be use as a fuel of sludge incineration.

 

 

Demonstration Project on Microalgae Fuel Production

As one of members of Algae Industry Incubation Consortium, Japan (AIIC), we are conducting a project in Minamisoma, Fukushima. In this project we cultivate large amount of native algae to produce fuel. Our goal is to reduce production cost and lower energy consumption during the fuel production process. In order to achieve this goal, we use waste heat, CO2, and sewage water in cultivation process, and optimize down streamlining process such as drying, concentrating, conversion (to crude oil using HTL), as well as residue recycling.

Algae Biomass Production R&D Center, Minamisoma, Fukushima

Fukushima’s native algae(1)

Fukushima’s native algae(2)