A proposal for clean water

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Proposal for a Small-Scale River Refugium Project (RRP):

Algae-Based Biofuel Production and Water Remediation


Executive Summary

This proposal outlines the development of a small-scale River Refugium Project (RRP) designed to clean polluted water while producing raw bio-oil from algae, which will be refined into biodiesel for generator operation. The project aims to test the feasibility of scaling algae-based hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) systems to meet on-site energy demands while addressing environmental remediation goals. By outsourcing the refining of bio-oil and focusing on efficient water cleaning and algae growth, the project is projected to achieve operational sustainability and potentially profitability within the first year.


Goals and Objectives

  1. Primary Goal: Clean polluted water while producing bio-oil to meet on-site energy demands.
  2. Secondary Goals:
    • Outsource bio-oil refining for biodiesel production.
    • Sell surplus biodiesel and byproducts (e.g., glycerin, biochar).
    • Demonstrate the scalability and sustainability of the system for broader applications.

System Components and Design

1. Biofilter Refugium

  • Purpose: Pre-treatment of polluted water to remove contaminants and provide nutrient-rich effluent for algae growth.
  • Design:
    • Six 100-gallon barrels filled with biological filtration media (lava rock, bio balls, and ceramic rings).
    • Aerobic and anaerobic zones for optimal nutrient cycling.
    • Slow-flow filtration (~500 gallons/hour).
  • Output: Nutrient-rich effluent (high in nitrates and phosphates) for greenhouse algae cultivation.

2. Greenhouse Algae Farm

  • Purpose: Grow high-lipid algae for bio-oil production while maintaining water cleaning.
  • Size: 200 square meters (2,150 sq. ft.) of shallow tanks.
  • Design:
    • Algae tanks: Ten 20-square-meter tanks, each with a depth of 10–15 cm.
    • Aeration: Paddle wheels and air stones to prevent clumping and enhance growth.
    • Lighting: Solar panels with supplemental LED grow lights.
  • Algae Species: High-lipid strains such as Chlorella or Nannochloropsis.
  • Output: ~75 kg/day of dry algae biomass.

3. HTL Reactor

  • Purpose: Convert algae biomass into raw bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction.
  • Design:
    • 50-liter batch reactor, running 8 batches/day.
    • Operates at 250–300°C and 200–300 bar.
    • Energy-efficient heating system with insulation.
  • Output: 15 liters/day of raw bio-oil (20% yield from 75 kg algae biomass).

4. Generator and Energy Storage

  • Generator: 10 kW diesel generator operating 4 hours/day.
  • Fuel Requirement: 10 liters/day of biodiesel.
  • Battery System: 360 kWh capacity to store surplus energy and power the system for 36 hours.

5. Refining and Logistics

  • Refining Partner: Third-party refinery to convert raw bio-oil into biodiesel and other chemicals.
  • Schedule:
    • Monthly: Ship 450 liters of raw bio-oil.
    • Quarterly: Ship 1,350 liters of raw bio-oil.
    • Biannual: Ship 2,700 liters of raw bio-oil.
  • Refining Efficiency: 70–90%, producing 3,780–4,860 liters/year of biodiesel.

Production and Processing Schedule

Monthly Processing

  • Raw Bio-Oil: 450 liters.
  • Refined Biodiesel: 315–405 liters (70–90% yield).
  • Byproducts:
    • Solid sludge: ~30 kg (potential for biochar or compost).
    • Glycerin: ~45 liters (industrial or agricultural use).

Quarterly Processing

  • Raw Bio-Oil: 1,350 liters.
  • Refined Biodiesel: 945–1,215 liters.
  • Byproducts:
    • Solid sludge: ~90 kg.
    • Glycerin: ~135 liters.

Biannual Processing

  • Raw Bio-Oil: 2,700 liters.
  • Refined Biodiesel: 1,890–2,430 liters.
  • Byproducts:
    • Solid sludge: ~180 kg.
    • Glycerin: ~270 liters.

Buildout and Land Acquisition Costs

1. Land Acquisition

  • Land Requirements:
    • Initial site size: 2–4 acres to accommodate biofilter, greenhouse, and auxiliary facilities.
    • Expansion potential: Up to 10 acres for scaling operations.
  • Estimated Costs:
    • Rural/agricultural land: $5,000–$10,000/acre.
    • Urban/suburban land: $20,000–$50,000/acre.
    • Total: $20,000–$100,000 depending on location and size.

2. Greenhouse Construction

  • Initial Buildout:
    • 200-square-meter greenhouse structure.
    • Polycarbonate panels for insulation and solar optimization.
    • Heating and cooling systems integrated for year-round operation.
  • Estimated Costs:
    • Prefab greenhouse kits: $15,000–$25,000.
    • Site preparation and utilities: $5,000–8,000.
    • Total: $20,000–33,000.

3. Biofilter and HTL Facility Construction

  • Biofilter Refugium:
    • Setup of six 100-gallon barrels with plumbing and filtration systems.
    • Estimated Costs: $2,000–4,000.
  • HTL Reactor Facility:
    • Small building or retrofit for housing HTL reactor and processing systems.
    • Estimated Costs: $10,000–20,000.

4. Infrastructure and Utilities

  • Utilities Setup:
    • Water intake and discharge systems.
    • Electrical grid connection and backup power systems.
  • Estimated Costs:
    • $10,000–15,000 for initial setup.

5. Total Buildout Costs

ComponentEstimated Cost Range
Land Acquisition$20,000–$100,000
Greenhouse Construction$20,000–33,000
Biofilter Setup$2,000–4,000
HTL Facility Construction$10,000–20,000
Utilities$10,000–15,000
Total Buildout Cost$62,000–$172,000

Revenue and Profitability Analysis

Scenario A: $8,000 Annual Loss (Low Efficiency)

  • Revenue: $11,617/year.
  • Costs: $20,400/year.
  • Key Issues:
    • Higher refining or transport costs.
    • Low refining efficiency (closer to 70%).
    • Limited market for byproducts.

Scenario B: Break Even

  • Revenue: $20,400/year.
  • Costs: $20,400/year.
  • Key Drivers:
    • Balanced refining costs and market rates for biodiesel and byproducts.
    • Consistent system uptime with minimal downtime.

Scenario C: $8,000 Profit (High Efficiency)

  • Revenue: $28,400/year.
    • Biodiesel sales: $11,500 surplus (1,200 liters at $3.50/liter).
    • Byproduct sales: $2,500.
  • Costs: $20,400/year.
  • Key Drivers:
    • High refining efficiency (closer to 90%).
    • Market success of byproducts (glycerin, biochar).

Scale-Up Potential

Assuming ample dirty water and expanded algae production facilities:

1. Larger Algae Farms

  • Scale: Expand greenhouse size to 2,000 square meters (10x current capacity).
  • Output:
    • Algae Biomass: ~750 kg/day.
    • Bio-Oil: ~150 liters/day.
    • Refined Biodiesel: ~105–135 liters/day.
  • Generator Capacity:
    • Larger generator systems (50–100 kW) powered by increased biodiesel production.

2. Expanded HTL Reactor System

  • Design:
    • Multiple 500-liter reactors operating continuously.
    • Increased bio-oil processing to 4,500 liters/month.
  • Output:
    • Biodiesel: ~3,150–4,050 liters/month.
    • Annual Output: ~37,800 liters/year (10x current scale).

3. Additional Byproducts

  • Glycerin: ~2,700 liters/year at scale.
  • Biochar: ~1,800 kg/year.
  • Potential Additions:
    • Protein extraction from residual algae for animal feed or aquaculture.
    • Biogas from off-gas recovery.

4. Profitability at Scale

  • Revenue:
    • Biodiesel Sales: 37,800 liters/year at $3.50/liter = $132,300/year.
    • Byproducts: ~$10,000/year.
  • Costs:
    • Refining and Transport: ~$70,000/year.
    • Operational Costs: ~$50,000/year.
  • Profit: $22,300/year (conservative).

Risk Analysis and Mitigation at Scale

  1. Water Availability:
    • Secure partnerships with wastewater treatment plants and industrial sites.
    • Develop raw sewage pre-treatment systems.
  2. Refining Bottlenecks:
    • Explore investment in on-site refining to reduce outsourcing costs.
    • Develop agreements with multiple third-party refineries.
  3. Operational Complexity:
    • Employ automation for monitoring and system control.
    • Train staff to handle larger-scale operations efficiently.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Scaling the River Refugium Project offers significant potential for both environmental impact and profitability. The ability to clean large volumes of polluted water while generating renewable energy creates opportunities for revenue through biodiesel sales, byproduct marketing, and potential government incentives.

Next Steps for Scaling:

  1. Secure long-term water and refining agreements.
  2. Expand algae farm and HTL reactor capacity in phases.
  3. Evaluate grant funding for infrastructure expansion.
  4. Pilot larger systems with modular scalability to ensure smooth growth.

Prepared by: Cernunnos Foundation llc



When I say I will share business models and ideas I mean it. This is a clear path to a multi million dollar business and no one is doing it. All that money is flowing out of the river. So either fund me, or do it yourself.

Who wants to be in the business of clean water and utilizing natural design to simulate a swamp in a controlled environment with the intent of producing algae and then biofuel from the pollutants in the river, while cleaning the river.

Seriously. It will be fun.

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