Reviewer Comments - EERE

2011 Algae Platform Review – Reviewer Comments
Reviewer Comments are direct transcripts of commentary and material provided by the Platform’s
Review Panel. They have not been edited or altered by the Biomass Program.
of deoxygenation. Converting unpurified carboxylate salts does result in a much greater variety of organic
compounds, but these may not be problematic if the mixture is ultimately hydrotreated and blended with
petroleum-based fuels. Thus, the fermentation media is disposed of by evaporating out the water and the
solids are sent to ketonization. The ash from the ketonization contains CaCO3 and other alkaline
components which would be recycled back to neutralize the fermentation step. The ash recycle would
eventually require purging and it may have value as an alkaline soil amendment ( this is currently how the
algae sludges are disposed of—as alkaline soil conditioner) A study of comparing methanogenic and
acidogenic digestion of biomass is underway. Preliminary findings (not a part of this project) appear to
suggest that the higher value of liquid fuels and chemicals can more than offset the greater complexity of
the processing. However, AD does benefit from much easier scale down to process small volume
resources, with the small-scale resources investigated in this study, this is likely to be true. We are
finding, though, that at these smaller scales, the costs appear attractive compared to other liquid biofuel
technologies.
Project: 9.2.1.1 Montana State University
Title: Extremophilic Microalgae: Advanced Lipid and Biomass Production for Biofuels and
Bioproducts
Presenter: Brent Peyton
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 07, 2011
Criteria Avg Score Std Deviation Count
Approach 6.00 1.07 7
Progress 5.86 1.12 7
Relevance 5.71 1.28 7
Critical Success Factors 5.57 1.40 7
1. Project Approach
The project performers have implemented technically sound research, development, and deployment
approaches and demonstrated necessary results to meet their targets
The project performers have identified a project management plan that includes well-defined milestones
and adequate methods for addressing potential risks.
Reviewer Comments
Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 7
The project has proceeded in a logical fashion and has therefore had a reasonable approach. The next
stage is to scale-up out of the lab, and this is what is planned.
Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 6
A major focus of this project is to screen algae that may be good lipid producers for growth at high pH,
where they may be protected from competition and predators.
Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 7
Effort focuses on characterizing and quantifying alkaliphilic algal growth and lipid production for scaleup
to open ponds. Issues to be addressed: -Help stabilize algal pond systems without genetic modification,
-Increase CO2 uptake rates -Utilize low quality water -Provide TAG production rate and extent data in
outdoor systems
Page 77 of 223