METHODS OF PRODUCING BIOFUELS FROM AN ALGAL BIOMASS
First Claim
1. A method of making biofuels, comprising:
- a. dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass;
b. adding a first ethanol fraction to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol 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 solid biomass fraction with a second ethanol fraction in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol 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 ethanol solvent fraction in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol 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 solid biomass fraction are substantially intact;
h. esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol;
i. separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters;
j. distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids;
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, extracting neutral lipids from the algal biomass, and esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol. The method also includes separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters and distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain 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 further 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.
37 Citations
7 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 ethanol fraction to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol 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 solid biomass fraction with a second ethanol fraction in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol 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 ethanol solvent fraction in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol 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 solid biomass fraction are substantially intact; h. esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol; i. separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters; j. distilling the fuel esters under vacuum to obtain a C16 or shorter fuel esters fraction, a C16 or longer fuel ester fraction, and a residue comprising carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids; 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)
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Specification