Solix BioSystems Introduces for Sale the LumianTM AGS4000, a 4000 Liter Outdoor Algae Growth System for R&D and Inoculum Production

Solix BioSystems today announced the availability for sale of the Lumian™ AGS4000, a 4000 liter, high productivity, integrated Algae Growth System (AGS™) that provides an outdoor growth environment for the evaluation of algal species or as a source of clean culture inoculum for larger growth systems. The Lumian AGS4000, which utilizes Solix's proprietary floating photobioreactor panels (Lumian panels), offers a unique solution for customers seeking a high productivity, reliable algae growth environment outside the laboratory.

"The Lumian AGS4000 is the first commercial launch of Solix's Lumian algae production systems. It is for customers interested in outdoor growth systems for R&D or to generate clean inoculum," said Joel Butler, Solix's Chief Executive Officer. "Its integrated design allows a customer to quickly establish an outdoor algae production system, taking advantage of Solix's experience in both system design as well as algae cultivation. In our AGS in Ft. Collins, Co., we have been able to continuously grow algae for 3 years now with no production failures and with peak growth rates of more than 3000 gallons of lipids per acre per year ( > 29,000 liters per hectare per year)."

Solix's proprietary Lumian panels combine extensive engineering design to optimize algae light exposure with biological know-how to maximize algae growth. Solix's unique combination of engineering and biology expertise has resulted in an algae growth system that is cost competitive, scalable and highly automated.

The Lumian AGS4000 includes:

• A thermal basin with 20 Lumian panels plus inoculum expansion lane and includes a dual header delivery systems for separate CO₂ delivery to two independent sets of Lumian panels as well as the inoculum panels;
• A complete integrated, compact support system for media preparation, harvest, reinjection and system cleaning;
• A control system for programmable sparge gas timing, automated pH management and alarm notifications.

Customers can also opt for heating and cooling capabilities, dewatering and weather protection options. The equipment trailer can support up to six basins, if desired.

Solix Secures Additional Financing and Changes Name to Solix BioSystems

Solix Biofuels today announced it has secured an excess of $16 million from inside investors as the first part of its Series B financing round. The new funding will drive the commercialization of Solix's industrial algae growth system, the AGS™, utilizing Solix's proprietary, high-productivity photobioreactors. Bohemian Ventures, The Southern Ute Alternative Energy Fund and I2BF Global Ventures have all participated in this financing. In conjunction with the financing, Solix is changing its name to Solix BioSystems to better reflect its role as a leading provider of algae production systems.

"This new round of financing from current investors demonstrates their continued excitement and support for our progress," said Joel Butler, Solix's Chief Executive Officer. "Solix is poised to launch its first commercial AGS product into the market. With our focus on providing customers with algae production systems, Solix BioSystems better reflects the Company's objectives."

(Crossposted from American Fuels)

VG Energy Contracts BioProcess Algae To Verify "Lipid Trigger" Results For Commercial Biofuels Production

VG Energy, a subsidiary of Viral Genetics, Inc., announced today that it has retained alternative energy producer BioProcess Algae, LLC to verify lab results on a large scale for the development of commercial production of its potential biofuel process. VG Energy has developed proprietary technology, with results reproduced multiple times from test-tube to small-pond studies, which holds promise in producing algal biofuel on a commercial scale, at prices competitive with or better than current oil prices.

"VG Energy's technology has shown great promise as a viable and cost-effective additive for alternative energy sources," said Haig Keledjian, CEO of VG Energy and Viral Genetics.  "We are thrilled to be working with BioProcess Algae to take the next steps and move from the laboratory to a viable production setting."

The agreement came together quickly and was facilitated by VG Energy SVP Monica Ord.  "I have Richard Branson and Mike Willis from Virgin Green to thank for the introduction to Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and BioProcess Algae," said Ord.  "We have repeated our proof of principle research studies multiple times, internally and through Texas A&M, which have clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the compound on a small scale.  BioProcess Algae gives us the ability to move quickly into full autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic scale-up studies, and we are excited to begin."

A process increasing lipid production in algae cells and considerably improving their rate of recyclability has been discovered by VG Energy and its lead researcher, Dr. M. Karen Newell Rogers, the Raleigh R. White, Jr. Endowed Professor of Surgical Research at Texas A&M Health Sciences Center and Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas.  A recent report by biofuels expert John Sheehan models several current production techniques, with their productivity enhanced by VG Energy's process, with the results showing potential for a cost-effective energy source. A direct result of work undertaken by Dr. Newell Rogers for cancer treatment, this process, Metabolic Disruption Technology (MDT), appears to act as a long-sought lipid trigger to cause algae cells to store increased fat, making them more productive as an energy source. When the process was applied to algae cells in the lab, extractable lipid, or fat, production was increased by a minimum of 300%.  Additionally, the process enables cells to release fats outside the cell walls, making much of the algae recyclable and increases its viability as an alternative energy source.

OriginOil Announces Breakthrough Innovation to Increase Algae Yield

OriginOil, Inc. today announced Algae Screen, a process that keeps algae healthy and productive by selectively eliminating microscopic predators without the use of chemicals. The technology employs an electromagnetic pulse, similar to what is used to achieve Live Extraction. OriginOil will offer Algae Screen and Live Extraction in one integrated offering for growers.

"Much of our technology is based on the same underlying science, so it makes sense to create 'functionality hubs' to simplify field operations and create more value for producers," said OriginOil's CEO, Riggs Eckelberry. "We see much more integration activity as the algae industry matures."

The company recently filed for patent protection of the new Algae Screen technology, its twelfth patent application, entitled "Enhancing Algae Growth by Reducing Competing Microorganisms in a Growth Medium."

"All algae are targets for invasion. Oil-rich algae are particularly attractive to rotifers and other microscopic predators," said Paul Reep, Senior VP of Technology. "Algae Screen will protect an algae culture continuously from microscopic invaders, such as rotifers, bacteria, and ciliates. An additional unique benefit is that it integrates fully with Live Extraction, since it is based on similar technology."

Microscopic invaders, such as rotifers, reduce the value of the algae crop by metabolizing valuable oil and biomass. Additionally, invasions can choke off algae growth and reduce the percentage of daily harvest. The problem exists in all types of growth systems, but most acutely in open ponds.

Algae Screen targets invaders with calibrated pulses of low-power electromagnetic energy that leave the algae safe. The pulsing and power levels are adjustable for different algae types and environmental conditions such as water hardness and salinity. Together with Live Extraction, Algae Screen offers a safe and easily manageable resource for algae health and continuous harvesting.

PetroAlgae And Haldor Topsoe Partner To Develop Renewable Fuels From Biomass

PetroAlgae Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Haldor Topsoe A/S and its U.S. subsidiary, Haldor Topsoe, Inc. to provide technology and catalysts to upgrade oils produced from PetroAlgae’s biomass through refinery coking processes and pyrolysis into drop-in renewable fuels, including diesel and jet fuels.

Haldor Topsoe is a leading global catalyst and technology company focused on the refining industry, petrochemical industry and the power industries. PetroAlgae’s micro-crop technology employs indigenous, aquatic micro-organisms suitable to local climates and is designed to enable its licensees to produce an alternative to fossil fuels as well as a high-value protein co-product, while absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to apply Haldor Topsoe catalysts, equipment, and licensed technology to upgrade oils derived from PetroAlgae’s biocrude.

“We are very excited to be working with Haldor Topsoe to further validate the commercial viability of our micro-crop biomass for use in refinery cokers and the production of a drop in renewable fuel,” said Dr. John Scott, Chairman of PetroAlgae. “They have extensive hydroprocessing research and development expertise from both a catalyst and a technology design standpoint and we see this agreement as just the beginning of a relationship that will help us realize the promise of our biomass as a clean and environmentally sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.”

“We look forward to taking this important step with PetroAlgae toward producing renewable fuels,” said Niels Sorensen Chief Executive Officer of Haldor Topsoe A/S “PetroAlgae is a leader in developing technology to produce biomass at a large commercial scale, which enables them to be cost competitive with traditional fossil fuels. Haldor Topsoe is committed to renewable fuels and we are excited about implementing projects that will help reach the goals set for renewable fuels all around the world.”

(Crossposted from American Fuels)