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Methods of extracting algae components for diesel blend stock production utilizing alcohols

  • US 8,323,501 B2
  • Filed: 05/18/2012
  • Issued: 12/04/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2010
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of selectively separating products from a wet algal biomass comprised of intact algal cells, the method comprising:

  • a. combining a wet algal biomass with an about 1;

    1 by weight isopropyl alcohol-ethanol mixture, to make a first extraction mixture, wherein the weight of the isopropyl alcohol-ethanol mixture set is about the same as the weight of the wet algal biomass;

    b. separating the first extraction mixture into a first liquid fraction comprising proteins and a first biomass fraction;

    c. combining the first biomass fraction with an about 1;

    1 by weight isopropyl alcohol-ethanol mixture to make a second extraction mixture, wherein the weight of the isopropyl alcohol-ethanol mixture is about the same as the weight of the first biomass fraction;

    d. separating the second extraction mixture into a second liquid fraction comprising polar lipids and a second biomass fraction;

    e. combining the second biomass fraction with an about 1;

    1 by weight isopropyl alcohol-ethanol mixture to make a third extraction mixture, wherein the weight of the isopropyl alcohol-ethanol mixture is about the same as the weight of the second biomass fraction;

    f. separating the third extraction mixture into a third liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids and a third biomass fraction, wherein the first liquid fraction has a higher protein concentration than the second and third liquid fractions, the second liquid fraction has a higher polar lipids concentration than the first and third liquid fractions, and the third liquid fraction has a higher neutral lipids concentration than the first and second liquid fractions.

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