Industrial Phycology “Polishing Effluents
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Industrial Phycology “Polishing effluents, recycling nutrients” ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial Winner Winner [email protected] www.i-phyc.com ‘MIT eteam‘ ‘Most Commercial Potential ‘ Industrial Phycology Background • Award winning company founded by colleagues who met at Cranfield University (06) during their PhDs 2014 with the aim to: “Use algae at industrial scales as a wastewater treatment and material recovery process” • World class founding team experienced in Phycology. ©Industrial wastewater technology and commercialising algae • Strategic partners to date include : Industrial Phycology The Wastewater Challenge • 280 billion m3 of WWT effluent released globally p.a. • Effluents contain compounds that potentially cause: • Environmental degradation & damage • Contamination of water table • Significant issue for global water industry ©Industrial Phycology . 2014 Phycology ©Industrial • These materials are also valuable resources i.e. PO4 Industrial Phycology The Wastewater Challenge Legislative Reduce & recover Improve energy pressure (e.g. nutrients before efficiency EU UWWD) discharge NO3 PO4 NH4 Very limited options to meet these requirements Examples 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial Iron / Polymer Enhanced biological Reverse osmosis Reed Beds compounds phosphorus removal These processes are flawed ; A realistic energy intensive, large footprint, process is high maintenance, toxic wastes required… Industrial Phycology Current Algal Technology 2014 ©Industrial Phycology. Phycology. ©Industrial • low efficiency • Total weather dependence • Extremely large footprint to volume • Prone to contamination • Evaporation / flooding • Only really suitable for batch culture • Require constant restocking • Expensive Industrial Phycology A Solution For All Conditions CO2 ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial • Biomass can be monetized by use for: Energy production Fertilisers Animal feed (Biogas) (recycle) (some algae ~70% protein) Industrial Phycology Our Patented Industrial Algal Process • Has been designed to allow the use of microalgae at industrial scales • It borrows concepts of existing technology for WWT and industrial biotechnology • Integrates this with expert knowledge of algae and cutting edge methods and technology ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial Advantages of the IP system Benefits Include Features Include • Maximum throughput • Weather independent • Minimise energy usage • Modular design • Handle novel WW i.e. digestate • Recycle CO2 + waste heat • Large volume to surface ratio • Maximised biomass • Automation Industrial Phycology Pilot Study • Made use of grants from TSB, PDC, SW-EIN & INETs to build an initial 1m3 system demonstrator • Support of advanced engineering company ‘Stirling Dynamics’, ‘GENeco’ ‘Wessex Water’ • Trial carried out in December: • Estuary site – Temp 0-100C Final effluent (estuary standard) ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial • Covered space - but open to elements • Average retention time 17h – range of targets treated • 70% PO4 removal, 30% COD & 30% energy saving Vs flocculation • 1g.l-1 ( equal or better than some processes), 2-4 g.l-1 for next stage • Conditions had some impact on NO3 and growth rates ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Industrial Phycology Forging Ahead • 2013 delivered first demo with £100k support from : • New phase of development – productize, build commercial scale process, use of other waste waters, ramp up company development • >£1m funding • Support of Strategic partners : Wessex Water, GENeco, Stirling Dynamics 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial • In talks with Utility's, heavy industry, parties about equity and other development opportunity's • All focused on developing the company, proposition, technology Industrial Phycology Developing I-PHYC • Biological treatment with algae is inherently more cost effective. • Treat range of targets, no flocculent, no pH adjustment, no waste, no landfill, lower power, use CO2…… • Produces product not waste • Developing know-how and applications for: • Improved biogas, metals recovery, use waste heat and CO2 ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial • Vast future potential – global issues municipal & industrial • Treatment & material recovery • Want industry support to achieve this • New partners, access to information & facility's, support with grants, direct funding • Work with industry to develop our technology for their need Industrial Phycology In Conclusion • I-PHYC algal technology helps meet a global challenge and: • Reduces costs, energy usage and CO2 footprint • Produces little waste, instead it makes product • Suitable for a range of conditions • To develop & use algae properly the correct understanding & equipment is required • We have already secured significant Gov backing : ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial • End user support vital, we want to work with strategic partners to: • Drive I-PHYC forward; maximise potential of technology; build fully integrated commercial scale demonstrator Industrial Phycology Thanks for your time ©Industrial Phycology. 2014 Phycology. ©Industrial Winner Winner Dr Daniel Murray [email protected] www.i-phyc.com ‘MIT eteam‘ ‘Most Commercial Potential ‘.