ATZINTLI

Aim

To test, in a first pilot-scale approach, a microalgal-based bioremediation technology to be employed by the Mexican water sector and generate biomass of international interest. The potential to develop a secondary value stream through biomass conversion to products will ensure the bi-lateral links are maintained but critically, that economic sustainable growth is realised.

Vision

Demonstrate the benefits of microalga-ozone-flotation technology in remediation of urban water for reuse as safe water and the production of new biomass with potential use to produce biofuels, bioplastics or bio-nutrients, which will allow diversification of the Mexican and British economy.

Project Description

Mexico City suffers from air contingencies limiting school attendance, and outdoor activities. People are also warned to avoid places irrigated with treated water. The pilot-scale prototype will show how it can decrease carbon emissions and improve water treatment, both issues affecting children and elderly people. Deploying the system in the next 5 years, will increase air and water quality in different locations. This contributes to meet SDG 6 by increasing clean water availability, help halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and give a global example in recycling and safe water reuse. The project will calculate the amount of CO2 used projecting its contribution to global commitments made by 2020 to United Nations.

A demonstration prototype accompanied with a business case will contribute to decrease economic and feasibility obstacles that water innovations face for their commercial uptake. Our activities will generate a renovated interest in the water-algal sector, attracting business investors in the short-term and green sources of employment in the long-term. This will help global efforts to meet SDG8 by promoting sustainable economic growth. Mexico has an ideal climate for microalgae growth hence, outcomes from this collaboration will help industrialize a feasible water reuse technology, setting-up the foundations for commercial intake. So far the microalgae industry has not flown due to the non-feasibility of using synthetic medium for algae.

DOCUMENTATION

Previous Journal Papers

  1. Oladapo Komolafe, Sharon B. Velasquez Orta, Ignacio Monje-Ramirez, Isaura Yáñez Noguez, Adam P. Harvey, María T. Orta Ledesma. (2014). “Biodiesel production from indigenous microalgae grown in wastewater”. Biorresource Technology. ISSN 09608524. Vol. 154: 297-304. Fecha de publicación: Febrero 2014.
  2. Sharon B Velasquez Orta; Reyna García-Estrada; Ignacio Monje-Ramirez; Adam Harvey; Maria T Orta Ledesma. (2014). “Microalgae harvesting using ozoflotation: effect on lipid and FAME recoveries”. Biomass and Bioenergy. ISSN 0961-9534. Vol. 70: 356-363. Fecha de publicación: Noviembre 2014.
  3. Valeriano González. M.T., Monje-Ramírez. I., Orta Ledesma. M.T., García Fadrique J., Velásquez-Orta. S.B. 2016. Harvesting microalgae using ozoflotation releases surfactant proteins facilitates biomass recovery and lipid extraction. Biomass and Bioenergy. ISSN ISSN: 0961-9534. Vol. 95: 109-115. Fecha de publicación: Octubre 2016.

Conference and Workshop Participations

  1. M.T. Orta Ledesma, I. Nava Bravo, S.B. Velasquez Orta, I. Monje-Ramirez, I. Yáñez Noguez, A. P. Harvey. (2014). Microalgae in Nabor Carrillo Lake Suitable for Bioenergy Production. Water, Energy and Climate Conference. México D. F. 21-23 Mayo 2014.
  2. Teresa Valeriano González, María Teresa Orta Ledesma, Ignacio Monje-Ramirez, Isaura Yañez Noguez, Sharon B. Velasquez Ortaª, Adam P. Harvey. (2014). Ozone effect on the proteins release and the recovery of fatty acids from wastewater microalgae. IWA World Congress & Exhibition. Lisboa, Portugal 21-26 de Septiembre de 2014.
  3. Nava Bravo, S.B. Velásquez Orta, I. Monje Ramírez, Ma. T. Orta Ledesma. (2015). Energy balance of biodiesel production from microalgae harvested from wastewater by ozoflotation. 4th IWA Mexico Young Water Professionals Conference 2015. Guanajuato México, 27th-29th April 2015.
  4. M.T. Valeriano, J. Gracia Fadrique, I. Monje-Ramirez, M.T. Orta Ledesma (2015). Ozone effect on the release of protein during microalgae harvesting. 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. San Diego, USA. Junio 2015.

Dissertations

  • Agosto 2013
    Alumno: Oladapo Komolafe –
    Grado: Master of Science in Environmental Engineering in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.
    Tema: Biodiesel production from microalgae growth using wastewater
    Newcastle University School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU United Kingdom.
  • Diciembre 2013
    Grado: Maestría
    Alumna: María Teresa Valeriano González
    Tema: “Efecto del ozono en la liberación de proteínas surfactantes y en ácidos grasos precursores de biodiesel durante la separación de microalgas mediante ozoflotación”
    Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ingeniería UNAM
  • Febrero 2014
    Alumno: Reyna García Estrada
    Grado: Maestría
    Tema: “Separación de Microalgas por Ozoflotación para la producción de Biodiesel.”
    Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ingeniería UNAM
  • Noviembre 2014
    Alumno: Isaac Nava Bravo
    Grado: Maestría
    Tema: “Balance energético de la producción de biodiesel a partir de microalgas separadas en el medio acuoso”
    Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ingeniería UNAM
  • Mayo 2015
    Alumno: Verónica Rodríguez Muñiz
    Grado: Licenciatura
    Tema: “Separación de microalgas por ozoflotación en un reactor tipo espumador para la producción de biodiesel”
    Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Química, UNAM
  • Enero 2016
    Alumno: Dávila Cardona Bernardo
    Grado: Maestría
    Tema: “Obtención de bioetanol a partir de biomasa microalgal cultivada en agua residual empleando ozoflotación como método de cosecha”
    Programa de Maestría y Doctorado en Ingeniería UNAM

Related Sites

Instituto de Ingeniería – UNAM. 
http://www.iingen.unam.mx  
School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials –Newcastle University. http://www.ncl.ac.uk
https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/sharon.velasquez-orta/

Key deliverables and anticipated outputs

  1. Create a focus group Mex-UK to deliver an engineering proof of concept
  2. Final concept validations and adjustments to approach real conditions. Wastewater treatment fully understood. Technology maturity plan.
  3. Characterisation of algal biomass created from treatment in order to increase the value of the technology.
  4. Deliver 1L of microalgae bio-oil to Greenfuels Research Ltd.
  5. Joint scientific publication.
  6. Economic and energetic feasibility analysis of the technology. Produce a business case that includes:
    • A benchmark analysis against other technologies.
    • A technological roadmap.
    • An intellectual property analysis.
    • Mechanisms of the technology protection and transfer.
  7. Mex-UK participants build their capacity by learning from interactions.
  8. Public engagement activity on the World Water Day, WWD.
  9. Technology showcase and a networking formed.
  10. Dissemination in relevant conferences, and interviews.

Project Participants

  • Investigators:
  • Dr. S Velasquez (UK-Principal Investigator) is a Chem. Eng. with 10y of experience in microalgae research. She has acted as PI in funded microalgae projects, she leads a research group and has been recognized by MIT for her novel developments.
  • Dr. MT Orta (Mex-Principal Investigator) has studied the ozone treatment of leachates over the last 12y; and has researched the application of ozone for microalgae separation for 3y with Dr I Monje (Mex-CoI).
  • MEng I Yanez (Project Coordinator) has 18y experience coordinating engineering research projects. Ms Isaura will coordinate the project with the help of a UK-RA.
  • Dr. I. Monge (Mex-Coinvestigator) specialises in pilot plant and microalgae separation by ozoneflotation
  • Business unit collaborators:
  • Dra G Soberon (Mex- Coordination of Innovation) specialises on conducting activities that can transform research outputs into business cases, she will work with a Mex-AT costed.
  • L McQueen (UK-Enterprise Team) coordinates a portfolio of university innovations and helps produce business cases.
  • Researchers:
  • Dr. Valentine Eze (UK-RA)
  • Mr. Francisco Fernandez (Mex-RA)
  • Students:
  • NU-UK Stage 3 Chemical Engineering Students: Laura Walls, Sam Wells, Molly Bell, Dan March, Patrick McQuillan, Ajanthan Anton Weerasingam
  • Sponsors:
  • BRITISH COUNCIL
  • NEWTON FUND
  • CONSEJO NACIONAL DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA DE MÉXICO
  • Contact: