Systems and methods for extracting lipids from wet algal biomass
Presented herein are exemplary systems and methods for extracting lipids from a wet algal biomass. An exemplary method comprises lysing a wet algal biomass with an insoluble granular lysing agent to create a lysate, creating a lipid-rich phase in the lysate, and separating the lipid-rich phase from the lysate. An exemplary system comprises a lysing station for creating a lysate from a wet algal biomass and a separation station for creating and separating a lipid-rich phase from the lysate. According to further exemplary systems and methods, ultrasound may be used in place of or in addition to a lysing agent to lyse the wet algal biomass.
1. A method comprising:
lysing a wet algal biomass with an insoluble granular lysing agent to create a lysate;
creating a lipid-rich phase in the lysate; and
separating the lipid-rich phase from the lysate.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insoluble granular lysing agent has a grain size dispersion of 10 to 1000 micrometers.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insoluble granular lysing agent is sand.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insoluble granular lysing agent is chalk.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insoluble granular lysing agent is gypsum.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the insoluble granular lysing agent is fly ash.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wet algal biomass is in the presence of an extraction solvent.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the extraction solvent is monophasic and multipolar.