# US 2010/0167339 A1 · Process for microalgae conditioning and concentration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0167339 A1 - Document ID: US20100167339A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/665,218 - Filed: 2008-06-18 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-19 - Assignees: Eastman Chemical Company - Inventors: Robert L. Clayton; Stephen N. Falling; Jeffrey S. Kanel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100167339A1 ## CPC - B03D 1/02: Froth-flotation processes - B03D 1/1412: {with baffles, e.g. at the wall for redirecting settling solids} - B03D 1/1462: {Discharge mechanisms for the froth} - B03D 1/20: with internal air pumps - B03D 1/24: Pneumatic {(mixing gases or vapours with liquids B01F23/20)} - C02F 1/24: by flotation (C02F1/465 takes precedence) - C12M 47/02: {Separating microorganisms from the culture medium; Concentration of biomass (separating microorganisms from their culture media C12N1/02)} - C12N 1/02: Separating microorganisms from their culture media - C12N 1/066: by physical processes - C02F 1/40: Devices for separating or removing fatty or oily substances or similar floating material (cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like materials E02B15/04; devices in sewers for separating liquid or solid substances from sewage E03F5/14, e.g. for use in drains leading to the sewer E03F5/16) - C02F 1/52: by flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities {(C02F1/463 takes precedence)} - C02F 2101/20: Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds - C02F 2101/32: Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil - C02F 2103/10: from quarries or from mining activities - C02F 2201/003: Coaxial constructions, e.g. a cartridge located coaxially within another - C02F 2209/38: Gas flow rate - C02F 2209/40: Liquid flow rate - C02F 2301/063: Underpressure, vacuum - C02F 2303/12: Prevention of foaming - B03D: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D) - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract Conditioning and concentration of microalgae are accomplished by the process steps of grinding a dilute aqueous dispersion of microalgae in the presence of grinding media and then applying adsorptive bubble separation. This process is amenable to the use of dilute feed microalgal dispersions such as are encountered in the production of algal biomass for biofuel applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A continuous process for recovering and concentrating valuable components from microalgae, the process comprising: a. obtaining microalgae from a source thereof, b. disrupting the microalgae by agitation in the presence of solid particles to give a conditioned microalgal slurry, and c. treating the resulting conditioned microalgal slurry with an adsorptive bubble separation process to form a stream rich in algal biomass and a stream depleted in algal biomass. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The continuous process of claim 1, wherein disrupting microalgae comprises intimately contacting the microalgae and the solid particles by vibration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The continuous process of claim 1, wherein disrupting microalgae comprises intimately contacting the microalgae and the solid particles by sonication. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The continuous process of claim 1, wherein disrupting microalgae comprises intimately contacting the microalgae and the solid particles by mechanical agitation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4) The continuous process of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, wherein the conditioned microalgal slurry is treated by froth flotation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The continuous process of claim 5 wherein the froth flotation is performed in a Jameson cell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The continuous process of claim 1, further comprising: after (b), but before (c), separating the solid particles to produce a conditioned microalgal suspension. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The continuous process of claim 7, wherein disrupting microalgae comprises intimately contacting the microalgae and the solid particles by vibration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The continuous process of claim 7, wherein disrupting microalgae comprises intimately contacting the microalgae and the solid particles by sonication. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The continuous process of claim 7, wherein disrupting microalgae comprises intimately contacting the microalgae and the solid particles by mechanical agitation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7, 8, 9, 10) The continuous process of claim 7, claim 8, claim 9, or claim 10, wherein the conditioned microalgal suspension is treated by froth flotation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The continuous process of claim 11 wherein the froth flotation is performed in a Jameson cell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The continuous process of claim 1 wherein the microalgae is Dunaliella. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The continuous process of claim 8, wherein the microalgae disruption occurs in a vibratory grinding mill. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The continuous process of claim 10, wherein the microalgae disruption occurs in a horizontal or vertical stirred media mill. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1, 7) The continuous process of claim 1 or claim 7, wherein microalgae enters the process at a rate greater than 500 gallons per minute (1850 liters per minute) microalgal dispersion.