mongstad_499x230 Text: FHF
The aquaculture industry is facing a future shortage of fish oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Marine microalgae are primary producers of these valuable omega-3 fatty acids, and are therefore an alternative source of fish oil in salmon feed. The aim of this project was to evaluate whether the production of microalgae was suitable for industrial conditions. It was then a prerequisite that large-scale production was possible. The project has been a collaboration with several actors in addition to FHF, including the Research Council and the University of Bergen (UiB). In order to achieve the scaling up, the research environments also had to be connected with the feed industry so that the combined expertise could be used to solve the challenges. This resulted in the development of a National Algae Pilot at Mongstad (NAM).
The project has included design/specification, engineering, construction and installation of the process and reactor system, commissioning and validation of the NAM plant, which was opened on 22 November 2016. The then Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Mæland opened the pilot plant and in an interview with kyst.no at the time, Mæland stated, "Here, researchers and professionals have not been afraid to think outside the box, and have actually come up with one and the same solution to two conflicting problems. This is innovation in the true sense of the word."
Now, two years later, NAM has been established as an automated, well-functioning and flexible facility for scaling up and optimizing photoautotrophic microalgae production (see text box and illustration below). In addition, some heterotrophic microalgae are produced. These algae are produced based on the use of sugar as a carbon and energy source. Thus, there are some unresolved issues regarding the real, ecological and environmental sustainability effect of this production. The team responsible for the daily operation of NAM includes researchers from UiB and Uni Research, and an operator from the company CO2Bio.
The NAM plant has a total production capacity of 3,500 liters, and can produce several hundred kilograms of biomass annually. The researchers are now evaluating production costs based on the results obtained at the pilot plant. In addition, trials are being conducted to check the nutritional quality of the produced microalgae and their effect on fish health to gain better insight into the total value of the product. It also helps the researchers direct their research efforts in the right direction to achieve the greatest effect on cost reduction.
It is important that Norwegian stakeholders take an active role in evaluating several alternatives to fish oil to ensure that the solutions for the future are fundamentally sustainable in several areas. In addition to innovative research, NAM contributes to the education of the next generation of "algae engineers". NAM also contributes to increased awareness of other opportunities these small, green organisms can provide.
Partners illustration_stor_500x309_CO2BIO Image: Algepilot
Research projects in NAM
The second part of the project has been to establish research activity at the NAM facility through participation in research projects together with the feed and aquaculture industry. Today, two research projects, CO2Food[1] and Algae2Future[2], are ongoing at the NAM facility. Recently, the EU granted funding to the iFISHiENCi[3] project, which will use the capacity of the NAM from 2019 onwards.
In all three projects, researchers are looking at the use of microalgae in fish feed and as an ingredient in food. Researchers have now found which types of microalgae are best suited for the different end products. To find suitable algae, the researchers went through their own collection of local species, as well as international collections. Production was assessed based on growth capacity during cultivation and the final composition of the biomass. The researchers have also gained knowledge about production conditions, such as which temperatures and nutrient requirements are necessary for large-scale production of the different algae.
The researchers have landed on a robust algae that is isolated locally. This algae grows well at low temperatures, and can withstand temperature fluctuations. In addition, this algae produces relatively high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. By exposing the algae to stress, for example by not giving them enough nitrogen, they will start to produce more fat. However, this stress also negatively affects growth. Therefore, we need to find an optimal balance between fat and growth, cost and value.
Other research questions that we are working on are how to process the biomass in fish feed and how much should be dosed into fish feed to get the necessary effect. This year, many kilos of algae biomass have been produced at the NAM plant, both with normal fat levels and doubled fat levels. This is now being processed into feed and tested at EWOS on small fish. In October, another algae strain will be produced to be tested for the production of rock gilt.
In addition, we are looking at integrating microalgae production using industrial side streams to reduce production costs. We are testing carbon dioxide captured at the Technology Center Mongstad (TCM), waste from the aquaculture industry and organic municipal waste in projects. Using side streams in production also provides an additional environmental benefit. Both product quality and application areas when implementing side streams will be assessed in ongoing projects.
The outcome of the research projects is both crucial and leading to how microalgae can become an economic and sustainable resource for ingredients for food and feed, chemicals and materials.
Read about the project here
http://www.co2bio.no/nasjonal-algepilot-mongstad/
