Ionic Liquid Algae Lysis for Phase Separation and Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting oils from algae are energy-intensive and costly, particularly due to the need for water removal and the formation of difficult-to-separate emulsions, especially at high water content levels, and existing ionic liquids are expensive and hard to recycle.
Innovation Solution
A method using Brønsted acidic ionic liquids, formed from a strong organic base and acid with a pKa of at least 6, for algae lysis that allows easy separation of phases and efficient recycling, avoiding emulsion formation and enabling in situ transesterification to produce biofuel-compatible fatty acid methyl esters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ionic liquids are used for algae lysis, then cell wall dissolution is effective, but the ionic liquids are expensive and difficult to separate and recycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ionic liquid by selecting specific bases with pKa ≥ 6 (such as imidazole, pyridine, and their derivatives) and matching them with appropriate acids. This parameter optimization enables effective cell lysis while improving separability and reducing costs through better phase behavior and recyclability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery system where the ionic liquid is separated from the reaction mixture through phase separation and then recycled back into the process. The specific ionic liquid composition enables efficient recovery, converting what would be waste into a reusable resource, thereby reducing overall production costs
2Productivity
If water removal is performed to provide desired ionic liquid strength, then extraction efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ionic liquid composition parameters to achieve effective lysis and extraction without requiring complete water removal. By optimizing the base acid combination and ionic liquid structure, the system maintains high extraction efficiency at higher water content levels, thereby reducing the energy-intensive drying step
3Adaptability or versatility
If emulsions are formed at higher water levels, then processing wet algae becomes possible, but phase separation becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ionic liquid system to prevent emulsion formation or facilitate its breaking. By selecting specific base-acid combinations with appropriate pKa values, the system maintains phase separability even at high water content, enabling wet algae processing without the usual separation difficulties
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method achieves high oil extraction efficiency, easy phase separation, and effective recycling of ionic liquids, reducing energy consumption and costs, while maintaining high transesterification yields and avoiding emulsion formation, even at high water content.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting algae to cell lysis with the ionic liquid, whereby at least two phases are formed
Implementation Method 2
whereby at least two phases are formed, including a hydrophobic phase and a hydrophilic phase
Data Source
AI summary
In the present invention a method for treating algae is disclosed, which method comprises the steps of (a) providing an ionic liquid, which is a conjugate of an organic base with pKa at least 6 and an acid, (b) providing algae, (c) subjecting algae to cell lysis with the ionic liquid, whereby at least two phases are formed, including a hydrophobic phase and a hydrophilic phase, and (d) separating the hydrophobic phase containing lipids.