Heterotrophic Microalgae Lipid Production from Cellulose

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing lipid-based biofuels, such as biodiesel and jet fuel, face challenges in scalability and cost due to reliance on limited sources like seed oils and photosynthetic algae, which are inefficient and costly, especially in processing dilute biomass and high-energy inputs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving heterotrophic fermentation of microorganisms from the kingdom Stramenopile, using cellulose as a carbon source, to produce biological oils with high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, which can be converted into biodiesel or jet biofuel through transesterification or cracking, utilizing nonsterile fermentors and recycled media to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If photosynthetic algae are used to produce biological oils, then the theoretical yield of oil per acre per year is increased, but the processing costs increase due to dilute biomass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil yield per acre per yearVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the growth parameters of microalgae from photosynthetic to heterotrophic metabolism, enabling them to grow in the dark using organic carbon sources. This parameter change allows for much higher cell densities (10-100 times higher than photosynthetic cultures) and eliminates the need for expensive light processing equipment, thereby resolving the contradiction between high yield and low processing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If photosynthetic algae are used to produce biological oils, then the growth rate is increased, but the energy input requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowth rateVSAvoidenergy input

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the photosynthetic mechanism (which requires light energy input and complex photobioreactor systems) with heterotrophic fermentation using organic carbon sources. This substitution eliminates the need for high-energy light inputs while maintaining rapid growth rates, as the microalgae can grow in simple fermentors using readily available organic substrates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If vegetable oils are used for biodiesel production, then the current supply meets mandate levels, but the prices of oilseed crops rise significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiodiesel supplyVSAvoidoilseed crop price

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive, non-food cellulose-based feedstocks (such as agricultural residues, wood chips, and dedicated energy crops) to produce microalgae for biodiesel. This approach uses cheap, abundant, and non-competitive feedstocks that do not drive up food crop prices, while still providing sufficient quantities of biological oil for biodiesel production to meet mandate levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the production of cost-competitive, scalable lipid-based biofuels by utilizing abundant cellulose-containing feedstocks, reducing processing costs, and enhancing the yield and efficiency of biofuel production.

Implementation Method 1

growing a microorganism of the kingdom Stramenopile by heterotrophic fermentation using feedstock comprising cellulose as a carbon source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS10308965B2Biological oils and production and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present invention provides biological oils and methods and uses thereof. The biological oils are preferably produced by heterotrophic fermentation of one or more microorganisms using cellulose-containing feedstock as a main source of carbon. The present invention also provides methods of producing lipid-based biofuels and food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products using the biological oils.