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Offshore Membrane Enclosure for Growing Algai (Omega) System for Biofuel Production, Wastewater Treatment, and CO2 SequestrationWe are developing Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae (OMEGA). OMEGAs are closed photo-bioreactors constructed of flexible, inexpensive, and durable plastic with small sections of semi-permeable membranes for gas exchange and forward osmosis (FO). Each OMEGA modules is filled with municipal wastewater and provided with CO2 from coastal CO2 sources. The OMEGA modules float just below the surface, and the surrounding seawater provides structural support, temperature control, and mixing for the freshwater algae cultures inside. The salinity gradient from inside to outside drives forward osmosis through the patches of FO membranes. This concentrates nutrients in the wastewater, which enhances algal growth, and slowly dewaters the algae, which facilitates harvesting. The concentrated algal biomass is harvested for producing biofuels and fertilizer. OMEGA system cleans the wastewater released into the surrounding coastal waters and functions as a carbon sequestration system.
Document ID
20140007315
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Trent, Jonathan (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Embaye, Tsegereda (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Buckwalter, Patrick (Universities Space Research Association Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Richardson, Tra-My (Universities Space Research Association Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Kagawa, Hiromi (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Inst. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Reinsch, Sigrid (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
June 11, 2014
Publication Date
June 27, 2010
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN1464
Meeting Information
Meeting: Renewable Energy 2010
Location: Yokohama
Country: Japan
Start Date: June 27, 2010
End Date: July 2, 2010
Sponsors: Japan Council of Renewable Energy
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX08AZ3ZA
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX09AG76A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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