AlgaeArt has developed a technology designed to efficiently dispose of a byproduct of reverse osmosis (RO). Water is a limiting factor in arid and semi-arid areas, and the use of RO in brackish wells presents great business potential. However, the process releases a concentrate high in salt and nitrates that requires proper disposal, which is very expensive. AlgaeArts technology feeds this RO concentrate to spirulina ponds.
AlgaeArts process integrates the management of salty waters, disposal of concentrate, and microalgae agriculture. Spirulina cultures transform the nitrates into valuable biomass, while evaporation of the brines is a zero-liquid discharge byproduct of the outdoor ponds. The results include production of the food supplement spirulina, desalination, and the profitable disposal of the concentrate.
The companys pond technology meets the strictest environmental requirements for soil and aquifer protection, and can be adapted to different climate conditions through the use of low-cost greenhouses. AlgaeArt also has adopted low-energy solutions for CO2 supply and drying spirulina.