Oil Extraction from Microalgae

............................................................. 3 1.0: Project Importance: The Need for Alternative Fuels ................................................ 3 1.1 Background .............................................. 3 1.2: The Technological Challenge ...................... 4 2.0 Project Overview .......................................... 5 3.0 Experimentation: The difficulties of microalgae oil extraction ................................... 5 3.1 Two Methods of Extraction ...................... 5 3.2 Wet Extraction Methods .......................... 6 3.2.1Freezing .............................................. 6 3.2.2 Homogenization ................................ 6 3.3.3 Sonification ....................................... 7 3.3.4 Osmotic Shock ................................... 8 3.3 Dry Extraction using Hexane .................. 11 3.3.1 Hexane Extraction ........................... 11 3.3.2 Post experimental conclusions ....... 12 4.0: Dryer Project ............................................. 12 4. 1: Design Objectives ................................. 12 4.2 Design Constrictions .............................. 12 4.3 Drying Process Concept Design .............. 12 4.3.1 Performance Targets ........................... 12 4.3.2: Alternative Designs ............................ 12 4.3.3: Review of Alternatives ....................... 13 4.3.4: Concept Testing ................................. 13 4.4: Final Concept and Rationale ................. 13 4.5: Final Dryer Design Description .............. 14 4.6: Analysis of Dryer Belt Design ................ 14 5.0 Hexane Extractor Project ........................... 14 5.1 Concept Generation ............................... 14 5.2 Current Chemical Extraction Systems .... 15 5.3 Hexane Extractor Final Design Concept . 16 5.3.1 Overview ......................................... 16 5.3.2 Oil Extraction .................................. 16 5.3.3 Hexane Recovery from Miscella ..... 17 5.3.4 Hexane Recovery from Algae Mill .. 17 5.4 Progress toward Final Design Description ..................................................................... 17 5.4.1 Deliverables: Thermal Condenser Construction ............................................ 17 5.4.2 Deliverables: Design Packet ............ 18 5.4.3 Deliverable: MTI Grant ................... 18 5.5 Technical Design Considerations ........... 18 5.5.1 System Sizing .................................. 18 5.5.2 System Vacuum Operation ............. 18 5.5.3 Material Selections ......................... 18 5.5.4 Thermoelectric Element ................. 19 5.5.5 Thermoelectric Condenser Construction ............................................ 19 5.6 Testing & Evaluation of Thermoelectric Condenser .................................................... 19 5.7 Analysis of Design .................................. 20 6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations .......... 21 6.1 Strengths of the Design Process (Dryer) 21 6.2 Weaknesses of the Design Process (Dryer) ..................................................................... 22 Bibliography ..................................................... 23