Patent ID: 7297262

Claim:
A system for removing lipids from a fluid containing lipids or lipid-containing organisms, the system comprising: an initial phase subsystem comprising: a first extraction solvent source containing the first extraction solvent and coupled to a first device, wherein the first device mixes the fluid and the first extraction solvent from the first extraction solvent source, forming a first mixture and dissolving at least a portion of the lipids; an intermediate phase subsystem comprising: a second extraction solvent source containing a second extraction solvent and coupled to a second device that combines the first mixture with the second extraction solvent; the second device coupled to the first device, wherein the second device receives and mixes the first mixture from the first device and the second extraction solvent from the second extraction solvent source, forming a second mixture and dissolving additional lipids and at least a portion of the first extraction solvent; and a final phase subsystem comprising: a third device coupled to the second device, wherein the third device receives the second mixture and contacts the second mixture with a gas or mineral oil, removing at least a portion of any remaining solvents from the second mixture.