A new, low-cost process is designed for the pre-treatment of algae. The technology uses pulsed electric field (PEF) technology to streamline the extraction of oils from algal cells early in the bio-refining process. The PEF process applies 10-30 kV/cm electric pulses for 2 to 20 microseconds to an algal slurry which rupture the cell walls to release biodiesel compounds such as methyl hexadecanoate. In-line and fully scalable to high volumes, the process consists of a chamber where the algal slurry is pumped into and treated along with a rack housing a power supply and pulse modulator.
Diversified Technologies