Is Direct Extraction of Wet -Algae Possible? 32
I was reading the Oilgae newsletter and realized that the drying costs is $500 / ton of algae biomass. So many companies and individuals have come up the idea of avoiding the drying and dewatering step.But I am still wondering how its possible to subject such a wet biomass, (presuming that the algae slurry will have atleast 80% water) to a solvent extraction unit. Will the solvent be able to percolate to all the cells and extract maximum oil.
Can any of you the club give me links to the research studies in this area. Your help is appreciated. Thank you
Mon December 20 2010 08:37:52 AM by Sabna
algae | wet-extraction | drying | downstream processes
1050 views
Here is a news from the oilgae blog which talks about the research efforts undertaken by the Michigan university to eradicate the drying and the dewatering step.
http://www.oilgae.com/blog/2010/09/wet-extraction-of-algal-biomass-to-biodiesel.html
A paper recently published ( 2009) says that a thermal pre-treatment of wet microalgae is required for a efficient hydrocarbon recovery. This research paper highlights the work done on Botyrococcus braunii
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0306261909005236
Thanks Anna. That is pretty relevant.