Project description
The project will run for 4 years (1st July 2010 - 31st December 2014), and will consist of eight work packages (WP)
WP1: Project coordination (DTU, IITKgp-1)
This work package includes coordination with the Research and Innovation Council (RIC) in Denmark and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in India for all matters related to the financial administration and the organization of the research program.
WP2: Selection of suitable algal species (DTU, KU, IARI, IITKgp-1, IITKgp2, SPRTC)
In this WP, a thorough investigation based on literature survey will be carried out to characterize biomass from different algal species. Lab-scale experiments will be done to determine the potential for food ingredients (alginates, β-carotene), biochemicals (pigments, phenolic compounds) and biofuel (bioethanol, biogas, biodiesel) production from algal biomass.
WP3: Algal cultivation optimisation and harvesting (DTU, KU, IARI, IITKgp-1, SPRTC)
The selected algae from WP2 will be cultivated in a lab-scale to determine the optimal conditions for the cultivation. The controlled parameters such as temperature, pH, nutrients (P, N) concentration, carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration will be optimised to obtain high growth rate. Innovative biofloculation method for harvesting of microalgae will be developed and results obtained will be compared with traditional chemical flocculation mediated by metal ions and alginate.
WP 4 Production of biofertilizers from algal biomass (IARI)
In this WP Both macro- and microalgae biomass will be investigated as biofertlizers for enhanced crop (rice, wheat) production. The investigations will be based on parameters such as nutrient content, grain yield and quality, soil health, fecundity and microbial activity etc.
WP 5: Production of biochemicals and food ingrediens (IITKgp-2, IARI)
In this WP extraction (acetone, ether and ethanol) and separation (filtration) processes will be standardized to extract different biochemicals such as pigments (chlorophylls, phycobilins) from the brown algae like L. digitata and phenolic compounds (phlorotannins, terpenes, flavonoids) from Spirulina. Characterization of the obtained pigments (purity, stability, pH and light intensity ranges) and phenolic compounds (antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral activity) will be done. The deliverables of this WP will be standardization process for extraction and production of food additives, colourants ,antioxidants and process technologies for RTE /RTS (Ready To Eat/Serve) health foods and drinks such as bakery products, extruded snack products and beverages.
WP 6: Biofuels production (DTU, IITKgp-1)
In this WP, bioconversion process for production of bioethanol, biohydrogen, biomethane will be optimised individually through lab-scale experiments. For macroalgae, the sequential production of bioethanol and biogas will be compared to production of biogas alone. For microalgae as feedtsock, the production of methane will be studied. Autotrophic biohydrogen production from microalgae, as well as biohydrogen production through dark fermentation of macroalgal biomass will be also investigated.
WP 7: Technological, societal, environmental and economical assessment of sustainability (DTU, KU, IITKgp-1, IITKgp-2, IARI)
Based on data of process conditions and process outputs generated by WP3, WP4, WP5 and WP6 the technological and environmental assessment of the integrated concept for algal cultivation and different bioconversion processes will be evaluated using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model developed at DTU. The results from the LCA will be further used as input for a socio-economic analysis to evaluate the potential economic impact on the industries and on society, in order to assess the overall desirability of the technological approaches.
WP 8: Demonstration (DTU, KU, LB, IITKgp-2, IARI, SPRTC)
The different species will be cultivated rotationally according to the climate season. Mass scale cultivation of algae will be demonstrated by KU and SPRTC. Production of food supplements from algae will be demonstrated by SPRTC and IITKgp-2. Use of algal biomass as biofertilizer to improve wheat and rice yields will be demonstrated by IARI. The pilot-scale algal biomass conversion to methane will be demonstrated in 0.8 m3 reactor by the partner DTU. Full scale co-digestion of macroalgae with manure for biogas production will be applied in Lemvig biogas plant (LB).