Methods of and systems for producing biofuels from algal oil
US8313648B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P30/20
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for producing biofuels is provided that includes dewatering 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 hydrodeoxygenating 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. The method further includes supplying the hydrogenation and deoxygenation processes with hydrogen produced from reformed light hydrocarbons or an algae culture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.