Patent · US Active

Methods of and systems for producing biofuels

US8152870B2 · kind B2 · utility

35Cited by
31References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 6, 2011
Grant dateApr 10, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 6, 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, 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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.