Patent ID: 8043496
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: B01D,C10G,C10L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A system for extracting oil from algae, comprising: a source of oil-containing algae and water, a collection station, a source of energy, a head, said head containing at least one deflector having an impingement surface and at least one outlet port, a pump having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet connected to said collection station, said outlet terminating within said head and capable of forcibly directing said algae and water against said deflector, while said pump is energized by said source of energy, in sufficient force to rupture at least a portion of said algae, thereby resulting in the release of a mixture comprising said oil, said water, and residue comprising algal cell walls, a tank capable of receiving said mixture, whereby when said tank is at least partially full and said pump is turned off, said mixture separates into three layers comprising substantially an upper layer of said oil, a middle layer of said water, and a bottom layer of said residue, a plurality of ports in said tank for enabling removal of said oil, said water, and said residue from said tank, whereby when said mixture has separated, said oil can be harvested and said water and said residue can be removed from said tank.