USE OF MARINE ALGAE FOR PRODUCING HYDROCARBONS
In certain aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing hydrocarbons from alkenone-producing algae, such as algae species of the Isochrysis family.
1 . A method of producing hydrocarbons from algae, comprising:
(a) culturing an alkenone-producing alga under a growth condition sufficient to produce alkenones within the alga; and
(b) converting the alkenones to hydrocarbons.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkenone-producing alga is a species of the Isochrysis family.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the alkenone-producing alga is selected from: Isochrysis galbana, Isochrysis sp. T-Iso, and Isochrysis sp. C-Iso.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkenones comprise a number of carbons ranging from 35 to 40.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises catalytic hydroprocessing.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises converting alkenones into a liquid fuel.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the liquid fuel is selected from diesel and gasoline.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises converting alkenones into a gaseous fuel.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the gaseous fuel is a syngas.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the gaseous fuel is a synthetic natural gas.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the gaseous fuel is selected from methane, propane, and butane.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the growth condition includes a stationary growth phase.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the growth condition includes a high temperature.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the growth condition includes sufficient light.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the growth condition includes nutrient limitation.
16 . A biofuel comprising the hydrocarbons produced by the method of claim 1 .
17 . A liquid biofuel produced by the method of claim 6 .
18 . A gaseous biofuel produced by the method of claim 8 .
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alga also produces FAMEs.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein step (b) comprises converting a mixture of FAMEs and alkenones to hydrocarbons without separating the FAMEs from the alkenones.