Growing algae in water is difficult because as it grows, the algae thickens and blocks out the light. To counteract this, OriginOil's Helix Bioreactor can be used to put lights inside the tank or the algae can be exposed to light by being rotated periodically out of the water.
OriginOil's Attached Growth System uses types of algae that will attach to surfaces rotating in and out of the water, exposing the algae to sunlight or artificial light. At harvest time, the algae is scraped off as a sludge, greatly decreasing the energy cost of dewatering during oil extraction.
Dr. Vikram Pattarkine, Chief Scientist at OriginOil said: “We demonstrated in our cost analysis, at the National Algae Association in Houston earlier this month, that algae can be far more profitable when located in wastewater treatment environments. This technology will multiply the benefit.”
OriginOil's Attached Growth System can be configured to produce bacteria as well as algae. Combining algal and bacterial growth makes for better nutrient extraction and contributes to clean water goals while making fuel and absorbing CO2.