Midwest Research Institute Advances Algal Biofuels Research Utilizing Open and Closed...

Midwest Research Institute Advances Algal Biofuels Research Utilizing Open and
Closed Bioreactors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. and PALM BAY, Fla., April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just
five months after announcing the creation of a state-of-the-art Center for
Integrated Algal Research, Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has installed and
activated two technically distinct bioreactor technologies to accelerate the
Institute's pursuits in algae research. MRI recently activated an open pond
"raceway" cultivation system at its laboratory in Palm Bay, Fla., and a
continuous flow, closed loop photobioreactor at its field station near Kansas
City, Mo.

Through the Center for Integrated Algal Research, MRI is leveraging the
Institute's expertise in biotechnology, chemistry, systems engineering and
bioinformatics to provide government and industry with a broad range of
integrated R&D services related to the use of algae in solving energy and
environmental challenges. MRI's algae research and development efforts are
focused in two core areas: developing biofuels and related products, and
addressing carbon dioxide capture.

"Within the R&D industry, we are seeing the pace of algae research increase at
a significant rate as we look for new ways to address energy and environmental
challenges," said Stanley Bull, Ph.D., Director of Energy Programs at MRI.
"Many organizations take the approach of using either the closed or open
bioreactor systems for their research. MRI now has an advantage by being able
to study both systems to determine the best and most effective methods for
culturing and processing specific strains of algae for use in producing
biofuels or addressing carbon dioxide capture." MRI, an independent
scientific research organization, has more than 30 years of experience
associated with renewable energy research and environmental sustainability.

MRI's open bioreactor system in Palm Bay includes two open pond raceway
channels, each 40 feet long and 4 feet wide. The two raceways combined have a
capacity of 8,000 gallons of water and are currently producing approximately
330 pounds of dry algal biomass per month with projections to increase biomass
output with new R&D improvements. The pilot raceway cultivation system
provides a platform ideally suited for the investigation of technologies
related to scale-up of algae production in open systems.

"Adding the raceway bioreactor represents a fundamental step in MRI's effort
to establish a renewable fuel production system that integrates and automates
algae growth, harvest, and oil extraction," said Roy Swiger, Ph.D., Director
of MRI's Florida Division. "The system will also be used to research water
quality and recovery, as well as energy efficiency."

MRI's closed loop photobioreactor in Kansas City provides a pilot scale algae
production facility enclosed in a greenhouse to allow for year-round testing.
This closed system has a capacity of approximately 1,000 gallons of algae
dense medium and is capable of harvesting approximately 90 pounds of dry mass
per month. Artificial lighting is available and allows for exploring effects
from using a variety of real world and simulated environments. "This robust
system provides a unique test bed for rigorous characterization of diverse
algae strains and stringent monitoring of their associated growth conditions,
said Roger Harris, Ph.D., MRI Associate Vice President and Director of the
Energy and Life Sciences Division. "It also provides integration of harvesting
and other processing equipment for end-to-end product operations."

By employing both systems, MRI will be better equipped to assist government
and industry in maximizing the potential of algae for solving energy and
environmental challenges. The Center's comprehensive focus includes
characterization of preferred algal strains, growth optimization,
contamination mitigation, harvesting methods, oil extraction, and carbon
capture.

To learn more about MRI's Integrated Algal Research Center please visit the
web page on MRI's web site at
http://www.mriresearch.org/ResearchServices/CtrIntgAlgalRes/CtrIntgAlgalRes.html

About Midwest Research Institute
MRI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization with 1,800 employees
nationwide, performs contract research and laboratory consulting services for
clients in government, industry, and academia. Established in 1944, MRI is one
of the nation's leading independent research institutes conducting research in
the areas of national security and defense, energy and environment, life
sciences, food and agriculture, and transportation safety. With headquarters
in Kansas City, MRI also has facilities in Palm Bay, Fla., Frederick, Md., and
Rockville, Md. MRI is one of the two entities in the Alliance for Sustainable
Energy, LLC, that manages and operates the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., for the U.S. Department of Energy, and has
managed NREL since its inception in 1977. MRI is also the management and
operating contractor for the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC)
located in Aurora, Colo. For more information about MRI, please visit
www.mriresearch.org

SOURCE Midwest Research Institute

Linda Cook of Midwest Research Institute, +1-816-360-1943