SBIR Phase II: Nutrient Analyzer with Integrated Optics and Glass-Diaphragm Pump for Field Studies

SBIR 第二阶段：带有集成光学器件和玻璃隔膜泵的养分分析仪，用于现场研究

• 批准号: 1256277
• 负责人: Philippe Bado
• 金额: $ 41.38万
• 依托单位: Translume
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-04-15 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1256277&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Nutrient; Analyzer

This Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I project will entail the development of a microfluidic colorimetric analyzer to yield quantitative field measurements out of essential inorganic nutrients (initially nitrite and nitrate, thereafter ammonium and orthophosphate). This analyzer will primarily be used in industrial farms where algae are grown to produce biofuel. Inorganic nutrients affect not only the amount of algae biomass generated, but also its lipid content. Maximizing algae biofuel production requires a series of steps, each associated with an optimal nutrient concentration. The amount of nutrient must be measured on a frequent basis as the timescales associated with algae growth are short. Currently, nutrient concentration data is obtained at rates that are too slow to permit maximization of algae production. This problem is being addressed through the development of a small inexpensive colorimetric analyzer that will perform real-time measurement. The design of this instrument is optimized for prolonged unattended field operations, and minimal maintenance and consumption of supplies. It uses EPA-approved analytical chemistries. These have been selected because they are the least susceptible to interference from other compounds present in the algae bioreactors and/or ponds.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project effects US energy policy. The world is gradually running out of fossil oil. Renewable biofuels are increasingly seen as a key element of the US energy future. Algae, a source of oily biomass, are a leading candidate to meet biofuel needs. They can yield more fuel per acre than any other crops, they have the capability to grow in freshwater, as well as saltwater, and they are able to flourish in poor agricultural soil, which will reduce pressure on food prices. Furthermore, algae can grow using wastewater as nutrient feedstock. This reduces the ecological impact of wastewater discharges. Presently, the production of biofuel from algae is cost prohibitive due to high culturing and processing costs. Improving the management of inorganic nutrient levels in ponds and reactors where algae are grown will play a significant role in lowering biofuel production costs, ultimately making biofuels competitive with fossil fuels.

该小型企业创新研究计划 (SBIR) 第一阶段项目将需要开发微流体比色分析仪，以对必需无机营养素（最初是亚硝酸盐和硝酸盐，然后是铵和正磷酸盐）进行定量现场测量。该分析仪将主要用于种植藻类以生产生物燃料的工业化农场。无机营养物质不仅影响藻类生物量的产生量，还影响其脂质含量。最大限度地提高藻类生物燃料产量需要一系列步骤，每个步骤都与最佳营养浓度相关。由于藻类生长的时间尺度很短，因此必须经常测量营养物的量。目前，获取营养物浓度数据的速度太慢，无法实现藻类产量的最大化。这个问题正在通过开发一种小型廉价比色分析仪来解决，该分析仪将执行实时测量。该仪器的设计针对长时间无人值守的现场操作进行了优化，并最大限度地减少了维护和耗材消耗。它使用 EPA 批准的分析化学物质。选择这些是因为它们最不容易受到藻类生物反应器和/或池塘中存在的其他化合物的干扰。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力影响美国的能源政策。世界上的化石石油正在逐渐耗尽。可再生生物燃料越来越被视为美国能源未来的关键要素。藻类是含油生物质的来源，是满足生物燃料需求的主要候选者。它们每英亩可以产生比任何其他作物更多的燃料，它们能够在淡水和盐水中生长，并且能够在贫瘠的农业土壤中蓬勃发展，这将减轻粮食价格的压力。此外，藻类可以利用废水作为营养原料生长。这减少了废水排放对生态的影响。目前，由于高培养和加工成本，从藻类生产生物燃料的成本过高。改善藻类生长的池塘和反应器中无机营养水平的管理将在降低生物燃料生产成本方面发挥重要作用，最终使生物燃料与化石燃料竞争。