Engineering Algae Growth

Omega-3 oils are linked with reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes and depression. But can production of these omega-3 oils also decrease CO2 emissions?

The founders of��think so. The company uses algae to capture CO2 emissions from local breweries and convert it to oils which can be used as vegan omega-3 supplements, cosmetics and biofuels. Because their proprietary process entails growing algae with minimal water content, they enlisted the help of an engineer to design a water control system.

“Superior Ecotech was started by current and former CU graduate students in chemistry and business,” says chemical engineering junior Ben Mousseau. “With my engineering background, I was able to bring a unique perspective and skillset to the project and was given quite a lot of independence in design.”

When Mousseau joined the company in March 2014, he was tasked with creating a system to control algae water exposure. He helped design a novel conveyer belt system where algae is dipped in water periodically. This feature enables Superior Ecotech to produce algae more cost effectively. A patent is now pending on this system.

“If the algae remains too wet, it takes a lot of energy – and money – to dry, making the process economically unfeasible,” says Mousseau. “I helped design a system that allows the water submersion time to be precisely controlled and optimized.”

In addition to his engineering work, Mousseau also gave an interview to the Denver news channel 9News this summer after Superior Ecotech took first place in the CU Denver Jake Jabs Business Plan Competition.

While Mousseau is concentrating on classes this semester, he looks forward to also working with the company when his schedule allows.

“Superior Ecotech recently won the $100K Clean Energy Prize in the CU Cleantech New Venture Challenge and received a $75K Boulder Energy Challenge Grant from the City of Boulder. With the money, we are working with Upslope Brewing Company in Boulder to place a greenhouse on its roof to capture its CO2,” he says. “My experience has been amazing thus far, and the future is only more exciting!”��

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