Solar steam explosion of algae

A system, comprising:

• an algae bioreactor configured to contain an algae slurry;
• a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the algae bioreactor and comprising a solar heater including a heat pipe configured to contain the algae slurry and a parabolic mirror situated to reflect and redirect rays emanating from the sun toward the heat pipe to heat and pressurize the algae slurry within the heat pipe, wherein the heat pipe is constructed to maintain an internal pressure of at least about 75 pounds per square inch gauge (psig);
• one or more valves arranged at a discharge of the heat exchanger and sized to cause a pressure drop of at least 50 psig on fluid entering the one or more valves at a pressure of at least about 75 psig, wherein a 50 psig pressure drop generates a high shear environment that lyses algae cells of the algae slurry to generate an algae biomass;
• a control system in communication with the one or more valves and operable to regulate a residence time of the algae slurry within the heat pipe based on solar irradiance;
• a flash vessel in fluid communication with an outlet side of the one or more valves;
• and
• a separator that receives the algae biomass from the flash vessel and separates oils from the algae biomass to generate a biofuel.