Methods of and systems for producing diesel blend stocks
First Claim
1. A method of making biofuels, comprising:
- dewatering intact algal cells to make an algal biomass;
extracting a first liquid fraction from the algal biomass using a first solvent set, wherein the first solvent set comprises an alcohol, in a ratio of about 1 part algal biomass to about 1 part first solvent set, the first liquid fraction comprising a protein rich fraction;
extracting a second liquid fraction from the algal biomass using a second solvent set, wherein the second solvent set comprises an alcohol, in a ratio of about 1 part algal biomass to about 1 part second solvent set, the second fraction comprising polar lipids, the second solvent set having a lower polarity than the first solvent set, and the second liquid fraction having a higher percentage of polar lipids than the first liquid fraction;
extracting a third liquid fraction from the algal biomass using a third solvent set, wherein the third solvent set comprises an alcohol, in a ratio of about 1 part algal biomass to about 1 part third solvent set, the third fraction comprising neutral lipids, the third solvent set having a lower polarity than the first and second solvent sets, and the third liquid fraction having a higher percentage of neutral lipids than the first or second liquid fractions and a lower percentage of polar lipids than the second liquid fraction;
esterifying the neutral lipids;
separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters;
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; and
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.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of making biofuels, comprising:
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dewatering intact algal cells to make an algal biomass; extracting a first liquid fraction from the algal biomass using a first solvent set, wherein the first solvent set comprises an alcohol, in a ratio of about 1 part algal biomass to about 1 part first solvent set, the first liquid fraction comprising a protein rich fraction; extracting a second liquid fraction from the algal biomass using a second solvent set, wherein the second solvent set comprises an alcohol, in a ratio of about 1 part algal biomass to about 1 part second solvent set, the second fraction comprising polar lipids, the second solvent set having a lower polarity than the first solvent set, and the second liquid fraction having a higher percentage of polar lipids than the first liquid fraction; extracting a third liquid fraction from the algal biomass using a third solvent set, wherein the third solvent set comprises an alcohol, in a ratio of about 1 part algal biomass to about 1 part third solvent set, the third fraction comprising neutral lipids, the third solvent set having a lower polarity than the first and second solvent sets, and the third liquid fraction having a higher percentage of neutral lipids than the first or second liquid fractions and a lower percentage of polar lipids than the second liquid fraction; esterifying the neutral lipids; separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters; 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; and 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)
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Specification