Energy Efficient Method of Extracting Fuel Constituents From Algae
I came across this interesting invention when I was researching on novel ideas in algae-to-fuel technology. Streamline Automation LLC, USA has invented a technology of using ionic liquids for the extraction of fuel products from algae culture. According to the invention, an active ionic liquid is used to dissolve and/or lyse the algal cell walls, which results in the release of algal constituents used in the production of energy, fuel and other products.
The ionic liquid may be an ionic salt with multiple charge centers, low, very low, and ultra low melting point ionic liquid, and combinations of ionic liquids. The algae treatment system described in the invention, processes wet algae in a lysing reactor, separates out algae constituents, and optionally recovers the ionic liquid in an energy efficient manner.
This project may lower the price of renewable transportation fuels 10- times or more without any drawbacks. For this project, the company has received a DOE funding.
Have more info from this patent http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20110076748.pdf
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