Methods of robust and efficient conversion of cellular lipids to biofuels
OwnerGregory A. Anderson, Vincent V. Cunettoinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, vessels, and systems are provided for processing lipids contained in biomass, such as organisms grown in aqueous media or wastes in aqueous media, to produce fatty acid esters as components of a fuel, such as biofuels. The methods described herein are able to efficiently convert cellular lipids to biofuels from lipid-containing biomass such as algae.
Claims98
A method of producing fatty acid esters comprising:
- reacting a composition comprising cellular material in a reactor, wherein the temperature and pressure within the reactor are elevated such that the cellular material is destructible and components of the cellular material form an aqueous phase and an oily phase;
- and reacting the oily phase with an alcohol, thereby producing fatty acid esters.
A method of producing fatty acid esters comprising:
- reacting a composition comprising cellular material in a reactor, wherein the temperature and pressure within the reactor are elevated such that the cellular material is destructible and the components of cellular material form an aqueous phase and an oily phase;
- separating the aqueous phase from the oily phase;
- and reacting the oily phase with an alcohol, thereby producing a fatty acid ester.
A method of producing fatty acid esters comprising:
- reacting a composition comprising cellular material in a reactor with an aqueous solution, wherein the temperature and pressure within the reactor are elevated such that the cellular material is destructible and components of the cellular material form an aqueous phase and an oily phase;
- and reacting the oily phase with an alcohol, thereby producing a fatty acid ester.
A method of producing fatty acid esters comprising:
- reacting a composition comprising cellular material in the presence of alcohol in a reactor, wherein the temperature and pressure within the reactor are elevated such that the cellular material is destructible and wherein the alcohol reacts with the oily components of the cellular material, thereby producing fatty acid esters.
A method of producing fatty acid esters comprising:
- reacting a composition comprising cellular material in the presence of alcohol in a reactor, wherein the reactor comprises a container containing a porous structure and wherein the temperature and pressure within the reactor are elevated such that the cellular material is destructible and wherein the alcohol reacts with the oily components of the cellular material, thereby producing fatty acid esters.
A system comprising:
- (a) a reactor containing a composition comprising cellular materials;
- (b) a means for elevating the temperature and pressure within the reactor;
- and
- (c) an outlet for collecting fatty acid esters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.