ALDUO™ : Powerful, Patented Technology for Consistent, Large-Scale Outdoor Algae Production

250x250-kdf-aerialCellana’s core technology is a photosynthetic production system that economically grows proprietary algae strains at a commercial-scale. The patented production system, called ALDUO™ technology, is unique in that it couples closed-culture photobioreactors with open ponds in a two-stage process. Previous attempts at scaling up algae production have used a photobioreactor or open pond individually, not coupled. Open pond production, which is needed for rapid algae growth, has historically been hampered by the contamination by undesirable algae strains. Photobioreactors by themselves are unable to produce algae at an acceptable rate and would take up too much room to become commercially viable.

With the development of this hybrid production system, Cellana has achieved significant breakthroughs for the large-scale production of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts.

The ALDUO™ Advantages

  • Combines low cost and the high productivity of open ponds with the protection of closed photobioreactors
  • Allows contamination-free monocultures of the most productive algae to be cultivated
  • Minimizes capital expense and overall cost of production

Technology Process

Cellana-Production-Technology

Process Detail

Supporting Technologies

Mid-scale Screening Capabilities Enables Cellana to Optimize Process Development

150x150-mid-scale-screeningFor any outdoor microalgae cultivation operation, both experimentation and large-scale cultivation are essential for the successful production of biomass, oil, feed-protein and other valuable co-products.

In order to economically maximize yield at a large scale, the capacity to experiment at smaller volumes is essential.  Cellana’s patented ALDUO mid-scale technology simulates large scale production (up to 750,000L), but with greater experimental flexibility at significantly lower cost.

A variety of strains may be grown simultaneously using a triplicate, randomized-design methodology under outdoor conditions. This allows Cellana staff to screen multiple strains for targeted performance characteristics, and to undertake a preliminary techno-economic analysis prior to scale-up.

Substantial Algae Collection Enables Cellana to Use the Right Algae for the Right Job

150x150-algea-collectionThe productivity per given area of photosynthetic microbes such as algae is over ten times greater than that of terrestrial plants. They grow up to 100 times faster than any plant on land. And the biodiversity of photosynthetic microbes is enormous—estimated at more than 100,000 species—and yet most of it remains biochemically and metabolically unexplored. To date, less than 10 species of photosynthetic microbes have been cultivated at industrial scale.

The collection of algae used by Cellana is, in part, the result of a license from the University of Hawaii. The algae from this collection, as well as additional strains of algae, have been screened through a high-throughput system in order to determine which strains have the best performance characteristics for a given range of environmental conditions. The strains have been tested under different growth conditions, such as salinity, pH, and temperature, and for optimum production of Cellana’s ReNew™ line of products, such as ReNew™ EPA and DHA (Omega-3 fatty acids), ReNew™ Fuel (biocrude oil), ReNew™ Feed (high-protein algae meal), and nutraceuticals such as astaxanthan and beta carotene

Contact us for more information on how Cellana’s technology can help your company.