Stepwise extraction of plant biomass for diesel blend stock production
US8137558B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E50/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.