Case Study: Pan Pacific Technologies validates commercial viability of algae-to-biofuel conversion with Aspen Technology (Aspen Plus)

Bioprocess Innovator Relies on Process Modeling to Optimize Algae-to-Biofuel Conversion

Pan Pacific Technologies, an Adelaide-based sustainable energy consultancy, developed proprietary concepts for converting carbon to biofuels using algae and needed a rigorous way to validate technical and economic feasibility for scale-up and commercialization. To address this challenge they adopted Aspen Technology tools—notably Aspen Plus and the aspenONE Engineering Desktop with Aspen Process Economic Analyzer—to move their models out of Excel and into a widely accepted simulation environment.

Using Aspen Technology’s Aspen Plus and linked economic tools, Pan Pacific produced a validated process model that matched laboratory and industry data, identified key limiting factors (and provided placeholders for missing algae property data), and enabled a full techno-economic analysis and scale-up assessment; two international engineering firms independently reviewed and confirmed the approach. Aspen Technology’s software gave Pan Pacific an affordable, industry-standard platform to quantify economics, demonstrate feasibility to partners, and compete effectively despite limited resources.

Pan Pacific Technologies

Eric Dunlop

Principal