History of Algae Research at CEHMM
The CEHMM algae to biodiesel project was initiated in the spring of 2006 and has evolved into a dynamic organization that is on the cutting edge of algal fuel research and commercial demonstration.
CEHMM began experimenting with a variety of algal species in a laboratory setting. Based on these experiments, CEHMM selected a few species for additional experimentation.
This experimentation initially took place in aquaria located in a greenhouse.
The next step was to take the most successful species from the aquaria to outdoor test ponds, equipped with a paddle to keep the algae in motion to expose the cells to sunlight and aerators to infuse atmospheric oxygen for growth. Nutrients supplied to the cultures were manipulated to achieve the highest culture density.
Two 95,000 liter or 25,000 gallon capacity ponds were constructed and lined with a high density polyethylene liner to prevent ground water contamination. The paddles and aerators were built to scale, and CEHMM began collecting biological and chemical data from these ponds. The species of choice was very hardy and sustainable year around.
The two years of data showed that indeed outdoor “raceway” ponds can be successfully operated. One of the concerns with outdoor ponds is their susceptibility to predation and invasion. The fact that we are not near saltwater and our ability to develop protocols to address the occasional predator or invader suggests that the issue of contamination is not as serious as once thought.
A new larger pond with twice the capacity of the original pond and the buildings to house extraction technology were constructed in 2009.

A number of harvesting techniques were examined as well as the oil content. CEHMM eventually settled on a solvent based extraction technology, and our Michigan partner built an extraction plant and deployed that system in 2010.

On April 19, 2010 CEHMM became the world’s first fully integrated biorefinery using algae as a feedstock with the capability to operate at more than 1000 gallons per day throughput.

CEHMM has successfully taken this algae feedstock and produced algal oil. Today, CEHMM can grow algae at densities previously thought unattainable by most in the industry.

 

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