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The Algae Appliance

The Algae Appliance™ is our standardized product line, providing a low energy, chemical-free, continuous flow ‘wet harvest’ system to efficiently dewater, rupture cell walls, and concentrate the microscopic algae harvest.

OriginOil’s French joint venture partner Ennesys will receive the first Model 4. “Given the very tight space constraints in our urban test program, we needed a super compact, integrated algae harvester,” says Pierre Tauzinat, President of Paris-based Ennesys. “The new design is perfect, as is the price point. We know numerous researchers and producers who are waiting for such an affordable and simple algae harvester. It’s a revolution!”

All Algae Appliances use our Single Step Extraction™ technology for a chemical-free, low- energy and high continuous flow harvest at very low capital and operating costs.

If you are interested in evaluating OriginOil’s harvesting technology, then our Model 4 is perfect for your needs.

Process Overview

The Algae Appliance is typically located on premises at the algae growth facility.

When ready for harvesting, the dilute microalgae culture is fed directly from the growth systems into the Algae Appliance without any prior pretreatment or concentration. Each system is equipped with its own integrated control system that manages the operational settings for flocculating (clumping) and for “lysing” of algae cell walls (cell wall rupture).

As the raw algae passes through the Algae Appliance, it is subjected to tuned electromagnetic pulses. The system operation consists of three phases:

  • First phase: high-flow, low-energy, chemical-free flocculation.
  • Second phase: cell wall rupture for downstream applications where appropriate.
  • Third phase: concentration to remove up to 90% of the water.

(Optional devices are available to achieve higher solids concentration downstream from the Algae Appliance.)

Capacity Ratings

Algae Appliance Models are rated by their maximum capacity to process algae dilute continuously, shown in liters per minute.

So for example, the Algae Appliance Model 285 is rated for continuous processing of up to 285 liters per minute (or about 75 gallons per minute) of your algae harvest.

Algae Appliance Model 4

Announced in spring 2012, the Model 4 is an entry-level, low-cost algae harvester designed to make it easier, faster and cheaper for producers and researchers to try and buy OriginOil’s proprietary harvesting technology.

Designated the Algae Appliance™ Model 4 for its rated capacity of four liters (about a gallon) per minute, the new unit will operate either continuously or intermittently for testing purposes on a wide variety of microalgae strains.

Algae producers know they don’t have the right technology for sustainable harvesting, but they aren’t sure the new technology will work for them. This leads to wasteful and lengthy evaluation periods.

This new trial-size model cuts through that process by letting producers evaluate very quickly and make a decision to move up to full scale. The Model 4 is also perfect for ongoing use in research labs.

The Model 4 carries a manufacturer’s suggested price of $50,000, with credits for strategic partners who sign a multi-phase collaboration agreement with OriginOil. Additional credits will be available for upgrading or trading in the Model 4 to larger systems. OriginOil will also offer training and certification in high-speed algae production and harvesting at its Los Angeles headquarters.

To order a Model 4, please call (323) 939-6645 and press 4 for Sales.

You may also email partners@originoil.com.

To save time, please click here to fill out our registration form!

Algae Appliance Model 20

Announced in Fall 2011, the Model 20 is the next step up from the Model 4. Its flow rate is variable from 2 to 20 liters per minute (.5 to 5 GPM), with the potential to remove up to 90% of the initial water volume at the harvesting stage.

Control Panel View
View from Discharge Side

The system is extremely well suited for testing aimed at the development of commercial scale processes, in that it provides these features and benefits:

Features
Advantage
Benefit
Feed algae water directly from growth system No pre-concentrating or dewatering required Savings in CAPEX and OPEX
Dewatering uses electromagnetic pulses and biomass concentrator No added chemicals in process Eliminates conflicts in downstream refining, processing or biomass usage
Low energy electromagnetic pulses to compromise algae cells Total energy less than one kWh per cubic meter Maximizes the release of lipids with low energy and without chemicals
Integrated biomass concentrator Removes up to 90% of the water from the algae Savings in OPEX by removing most of the water early in the process
High continuous throughput Scalable and efficient Reduced CAPEX and OPEX
Skid mounted modules Easy Installation Savings in installation cost

Product Specifications

  • Flow Rates: Variable based upon operator controlled settings:
    • Minimum: 2 LPM (0.5 GPM) – processing 3,000 liters per day in continuous harvest.
    • Maximum: 20 LPM (5 GPM) – processing 30,000 liters per day in continuous harvest.*
      *(Sufficient for a 150,000 liter growth facility at 20% daily harvest)
  • Microalgae concentration: Wide flexibility from less than 125mg to 1g/liter dry weight and beyond.
  • Dimensions: Length 214cm, width 152cm, height 214cm (L 7’-0”, W 5’-0”, H 7’-0”).
  • Weight: 1,140 kg (2,500 pounds).
  • Electrical requirements: 120/240 volts, 50/60 hertz.
  • Power consumption: Approximately 0.002 kWh at 10 LPM.

Additional Product Features

  • Sensor telemetry with touch screen software for real-time control.
  • Remote support by OriginOil technicians (requires support contract).
  • Tunable to a wide range of fresh and saltwater microalgae species.
  • Mounted on single skid for ease of transport and installation.
  • Applicable to all growth platforms.

Higher Capacity Models

OriginOil has also shipped harvesting systems rated at 40 and 285 liters per minute. All systems above the Model 20 are custom-quoted at this time.

To discuss your needs, please call (323) 939-6645 and press 4 for Sales.

You may also email partners@originoil.com.

To save time, please click here to fill out our registration form!


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