Process and apparatus for extracting biodiesel from algae

摘要

The present invention relates to a system for cultivation of algae, extraction of lipids and transesterification of the lipids to obtain biodiesel. The system comprises three sections, that is to say cultivation, extraction and storage and reaction. In the lipid extraction area there is an ultrasonic reactor wherein the external walls of the alga are ruptured together with those of the oil sac to permit the extraction of lipids in the transesterification area there is also an ultrasonic reactor which ruptures the molecules of the fluid which passes therethrough to accelerate the reaction and render it almost immediate.

主权项

1. System for obtaining diesel from algae comprising a growth section, and extraction section, and a reaction section,
said growth system comprising a primary mixer and a closed tubular bioreactor that receives fluid from the primary mixer, said extraction section comprising a first centrifuge that receives fluid from the closed tubular bioreactor, a primary extractor that receives algae from the first centrifuge, a secondary extractor that receives extracted lipids from the primary extractor, a second centrifuge that receives oil from the secondary extractor, and said reaction section comprising, a reactor wherein the reactor comprises at least two ultrasound emitters and wherein the reactor receives oil from the second centrifuge, a third centrifuge that receives oil from the reactor and a filter, wherein the primary extractor is a continuous pipe wherein various energy emitters that generate ultrasound to break algae walls are located in the continuous pipe, wherein the system additionally comprises storage tanks that receive oil from the second centrifuge, catalyst reaction tanks that receive oil from the storage tanks or second centrifuge, and daily tanks that receive oil from the storage tanks or second centrifuge, wherein the reactor receives oil from the catalyst reaction tanks or the daily tanks, wherein the reaction section additionally comprises an oil heater that receives oil from the daily tanks, a static mixer that receives heated oil from the oil heater and catalyst from the catalyzes tanks, and a continuous pipeline for receiving a mixture of oil and catalyst, wherein various energy emitters that accelerate a transesterification reaction and generate ultrasound to break down oil components molecules are located in the continuous pipe, and wherein the secondary extractor is a compressor capable of extracting oil.