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Bi-Cycle project

Introduction

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REFERENCE SITUATION

The introduction/promotion of biofuels generates competition between food and energy. Example: rapeseed oil is used in food applications and in biodiesel production. Literature mentions production of oil by unicellular micro organisms, e.g. algae, yeasts, ... Single Cell Oils (SCO's) might become a valuable source of bio-oil for food and 2nd generation biofuels. The University Colleges Karel de Grote and KaHo-Sint Lieven, the University of Antwerp and the University of Karlsruhe acquired in prior projects expertise in oleo chemistry, oil recovery processes, down stream processing, algae and yeasts cultures. In this joint project the intention is to demonstrate the economic feasibility of SCO production. 

 

GENERAL PROJECT GOAL

The project aims to implement on an economic scale the production and valorization of SCO's from algae and/or yeasts. A high valorization potential is expected: (1) use of high value oil fraction (EPA, GLA, DHA,...) in food application, (2) lower value fraction in biodiesel production and (3) as chemical building blocks. Second target is valorization of side streams in order to further increase economics (cell mass, CO2, organic waste, .....). 

 

PROJECT SUB TARGETS

· Optimization of oil producing algae (OPA): productivity, illumination, cell

· Optimization of oil producing yeasts (OPY): productivity, cheap carbon-source, …

· An optimized ‘similar’ down stream processing for both cycles

· An optimized valorisation approach for algae oil and yeast oil

· Reuse of side streams: process waters, cell mass, minerals, CO2

· Check on the benefits of a combined system by linking both cycles

 

The 'Bi-Cycle' project is an ERA/SME project between Belgian research partners (Karel de Grote Hogeschool, Katholieke Hogeschool Sint-Lieven and Universiteit Antwerpen) and a German partner (Univerität Karlsruhe (TH)). The Belgian part is funded by IWT-Vlaanderen (TeTra project), the German part by VDI-VDE. 

 

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