Microalgal cultivation on palm oil mill effluent for bio-naphtha production
Innovative cultivation of microalgae on palm oil mill effluent for producing bio-naphtha, jet fuel, and specialty chemicals through optimized processes, including genetic engineering and co-hydrothermal liquefaction.
Overview
This innovative approach leverages the nutrient-rich palm oil mill effluent (POME) as a cultivation medium for microalgae, including Nannochloropsis oculata, Chlorella vulgaris, and Scenedesmus obliquus, to produce valuable bio-naphtha, jet fuel, and specialty chemicals. The project also explores genetic engineering of Synechocystis sp. 6803 to enhance fatty acid production, aiming to optimize biomass and biofuel yield using open-tank systems under natural sunlight.
Technical specifications
- Microalgae Cultivation: Utilizes POME for growing selected algal strains, optimizing the ratio of microalgae, sludge, and biomass to effluent for maximum productivity.
- Genetic Engineering: Overexpression of fatty acid pathway genes in Synechocystis sp. 6803 enhances biofuel precursors.
- Co-hydrothermal Liquefaction: Combines water and ethanol as co-solvents for efficiently converting algal biomass and mill sludge into bio-crude products.
Technology readiness level
This project is at Technology Readiness Level 5, having been validated in a relevant environment with further optimization studies planned in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University and other partners.
About SIBCo Medical and Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd.
SIBCo Medical and Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysia-incorporated division of the broader SIBCo Group, a conglomerate focused on Islamic economy and investment activities. The medical division is led by professionals with extensive experience in government, private, and NGO healthcare sectors. It is dedicated to participating in the medical and pharmaceutical industries as part of the group's wider efforts to structure investments and foster collaborative ventures across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
By leveraging the expertise of its leadership team, the company operates within a framework that emphasizes Shariah compliance and sustainable economic development. The medical unit serves as a critical component of the group's interest in sectors aligned with growing global demand, including nutraceuticals and general healthcare. Through this divisional approach, the company engages in planning and development activities intended to build trust with partners and counterparts while contributing to the group's diversified international business interests.
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