Patent ID: 8182689
Filing Date: 2012-05-22
Classification: A61P,B01D,C11B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture, comprised of intact algal cells and liquid, comprising: a. removing a portion of a liquid from a wet algal cell culture to obtain a first wet algal biomass fraction having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture, and a first liquid fraction, the algal cells of the first wet algal biomass fraction having a chlorophyll concentration; b. mixing a first water miscible solvent set, comprising one or more solvents, with the first wet algal biomass fraction to generate a first mixture comprised of a second liquid fraction and a second algal biomass fraction, wherein the mixing of the solvent set with the first wet biomass fraction is carried out so as to minimize the degradation, denaturation, oxidation, decomposition, or destruction of chlorophyll, carotenoids, or lipids algal cells of the second algal biomass fraction contain substantially the same chlorophyll concentration as the algal cells of the first wet algal biomass fraction; c. separating the second liquid fraction from the second algal biomass fraction; d. mixing a second water miscible solvent set, comprising one or more solvents, with the second algal biomass fraction to generate a second mixture comprised of a third liquid fraction and a third algal biomass fraction; e. separating the third liquid fraction from the third algal biomass; and f. recycling at least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture to a different algal cell culture wherein the different algal cell culture is combined with the at least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture.