Patent ID: 8137556
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: A61P,B01D,C11B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of making biofuels, comprising: a. dewatering substantially intact algal cells to make an algal biomass; b. adding a first ethanol fraction to the algal biomass in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol to about 1 part algal biomass by weight; c. separating a first substantially solid biomass fraction from a first substantially liquid fraction comprising proteins; d. combining the first solid biomass fraction with a second ethanol fraction in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol to about 1 part solid biomass by weight; e. separating a second substantially solid biomass fraction from a second substantially liquid fraction comprising polar lipids; f. combining the second substantially solid biomass fraction with a third ethanol solvent fraction in a ratio of about 1 part ethanol to about 1 part solid biomass by weight; g. separating a third substantially solid biomass fraction from a third substantially liquid fraction comprising neutral lipids, wherein the third substantially solid biomass fraction comprises carbohydrates and wherein the algal cells of the third solid biomass fraction are substantially intact, wherein the first substantially liquid fraction has a higher protein concentration than the second and third substantially liquid fractions, the second substantially liquid fraction has a higher polar lipids concentration than the first and third substantially liquid fractions, and the third substantially liquid fraction has a higher neutral lipids concentration than the first and second substantially liquid fractions; h. esterifying the neutral lipids with a catalyst in the presence of an alcohol; i. separating a water soluble fraction comprising glycerin from a water insoluble fraction comprising fuel esters; j. 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; k. 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.