Assessment of algal farm designs using a dynamic modular approach

An integrated assessment of location-dependent scaling for microalgae biofuel production facilities

“…Individual model and analysis capabilities of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Biomass Assessment Tool (BAT) [9,18,20] are coupled to the system dynamics and technoeconomics of Idaho National Laboratory's Algae Logistics Model (ALM) [37], and a newly developed framework manages the flow of parameters and data between models, providing a data management system to administer, execute, store, and retrieve scenarios. The IAF is adaptive and is designed to incorporate new feedstock production, harvest, and processing technologies and design parameters that evolve with advances in research.…”

“…This approach is implemented with the understanding that the pond needs to be harvested within 24 h before the culture density begins to decline [49]. Specific details of the resource assessment and techno-economic parameters used in this study can be found in ANL/NREL/PNNL [8], Wigmosta et al [18], and Abodeely et al [37][38][39].…”

“…CapEx is established from land value and site preparation costs [20] and internal equipment, labor, and operations databases taken from public and industry sources [37]. The customizable and interchangeable modules enable future dynamic design and analysis of alternative algae supply chain systems starting at the site scale and expanding to local-, regional-, and/or nationalscale enterprises.…”

“…Therefore, we believe that the cost difference in the baseline is acceptable. Additional details regarding the cost breakdown of each process are provided by Abodeely et al [37][38][39]. …”

“…These components are dynamically linked together to provide a facility design configuration that can be tested for a range of userdefined parameters [37][38][39]. For example, different dewatering technologies can be plugged into the modeled process stream and tested for their individual and system-wide sensitivities on capacity, throughput, energy use, and economics by way of capital expense (CapEx) and operational expense (OpEx).…”