The Buzz

OriginOil Announces Layered-Growth Invention

May 5, 2010, by David Schwartz
AlgaeIndustryMagazine.com

OriginOil, Inc. has announced a direct-solar growth design that uses stacked algae layers to multiply the benefits of solar energy. The new design uses an array of lenses to direct solar radiation from the top through a system of algae channels. Algae culture is pumped continuously to the top of the array and then trickles down through the layers, ensuring equal exposure. Tapping units at the end of the stack capture valuable gases.

The growth units are oriented east-west to capture the sun’s rays throughout the day. Adjustments are made for seasonal changes in the sun’s angle of incidence. The resulting system may be 10 to 20 times more efficient than single-layer systems, according to OriginOil. This new design allows for filters and prisms to assure that only the wavelengths beneficial to algae get through, potentially diverting the rest for optional storage and night-time lighting.

Scott Fraser, the company’s vice president of operations, first outlined the new design at the National Algae Association’s Quarterly Conference in Houston on 28 April, 2010. OriginOil was one of three companies presented with the NAA’s Algaepreneur award at the conference.

The company recently filed for patent protection of the new layered solar growth design, its ninth patent application, entitled “Multi-Plane Growth Apparatus and Method.” While currently focused on algae, the invention applies to the intensive growing of any crop.

The company, which is now working in the lab with the new design, plans to build it into a standard 40-foot container for field testing. Shipping containers are inexpensive, available worldwide, easy to transport and convenient for carbon credit certification. —A.I.M.

Original press release