Methods of and Systems for Producing Biofuels
First Claim
1. A method of making biofuels, comprising:
- a. dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass;
b. adding a first solvent set fraction to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part algal biomass by weight;
c. separating a first substantially solid biomass fraction from a first substantially liquid fraction comprising proteins;
d. combining the first substantially solid biomass fraction with a second solvent set fraction in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part solid biomass by weight;
e. separating a second substantially solid biomass fraction from a second substantially liquid fraction comprising polar lipids;
f. combining the second substantially solid biomass fraction with a third solvent set solvent fraction in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part solid biomass by weight;
g. separating a third substantially solid biomass fraction from a third substantially liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids, wherein the third substantially solid biomass fraction comprises carbohydrates and wherein the algal cells of the third substantially solid biomass fraction are substantially intact;
h. esterifying the neutral lipids;
i. separating a water miscible fraction comprising glycerin from a water immiscible fraction comprising fuel esters, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids;
j. obtaining a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids by at least one of vacuum distillation, adsorption, and liquid-liquid extraction; and
k. hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
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Abstract
A method for producing biofuels is provided. A method of making biofuels includes dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass, sequentially adding solvent sets to the algal biomass, and sequentially separating solid biomass fractions from liquid fractions to arrive at a liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids. The method also includes esterifying the neutral lipids, separating a water miscible fraction comprising glycerin from a water immiscible fraction comprising fuel esters, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids. The method also includes obtaining a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids. The method includes hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock.
124 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of making biofuels, comprising:
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a. dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass; b. adding a first solvent set fraction to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part algal biomass by weight; c. separating a first substantially solid biomass fraction from a first substantially liquid fraction comprising proteins; d. combining the first substantially solid biomass fraction with a second solvent set fraction in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part solid biomass by weight; e. separating a second substantially solid biomass fraction from a second substantially liquid fraction comprising polar lipids; f. combining the second substantially solid biomass fraction with a third solvent set solvent fraction in a ratio of about 1 part solvent set to about 1 part solid biomass by weight; g. separating a third substantially solid biomass fraction from a third substantially liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids, wherein the third substantially solid biomass fraction comprises carbohydrates and wherein the algal cells of the third substantially solid biomass fraction are substantially intact; h. esterifying the neutral lipids; i. separating a water miscible fraction comprising glycerin from a water immiscible fraction comprising fuel esters, carotenoids, and omega-3 fatty acids; j. obtaining a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids by at least one of vacuum distillation, adsorption, and liquid-liquid extraction; and k. hydrogenating and deoxygenating at least one of (i) the C16 or shorter fuel esters to obtain a jet fuel blend stock and (ii) the C16 or longer fuel esters to obtain a diesel blend stock. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification