Patent ID: 7033500

Claim:
A device for removing at least one lipid from a fluid containing lipids or lipid-containing organisms, comprising: a fluid source containing the fluid and coupled to at least one hollow fiber contactor; a first extraction solvent source containing a first extraction solvent and coupled to the at least one hollow fiber contactor; the at least one hollow fiber contactor that receives the fluid from the fluid source and the first extraction solvent from the first extraction solvent source, forming a first mixture and dissolving at least a portion of the lipids; a second extraction solvent source containing a second extraction solvent and coupled to a first solvent removal apparatus; the first solvent removal apparatus coupled to the at least one hollow fiber contactor, wherein the first solvent removal apparatus receives the first mixture from the at least one hollow fiber contactor 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 second solvent removal apparatus that is coupled to the first solvent removal apparatus and receives the second mixture and removes at least a portion of any remaining solvents from the second mixture.