Single-Cell Fat Production via Side Stream Reutilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-cell fat production processes are inefficient in terms of carbon and energy balance, leading to significant organic matter waste and high environmental burdens, making them unsustainable for large-scale biofuel production.
Innovation Solution
Reutilizing cell masses and side streams from single-cell fat production processes through new microbiological processes that enhance fat yield by using microorganisms like algae, yeasts, and molds, particularly filamentous fungi, to convert organic matter into usable fat, thereby improving mass and energy balances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If single-cell fat production processes are used, then fat can be produced from biomass, but carbon and energy balance are inefficient leading to significant organic matter waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers and reutilizes side streams containing organic matter that would otherwise be discarded or wasted. The method involves treating these side streams through microbiological processes to convert the organic matter into fat, thereby recovering valuable resources and improving overall process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous process where side streams from one stage of fat production are fed into another microbiological process that continues the fat production journey. This continuous utilization of organic matter ensures no valuable resources are lost, improving carbon and energy balance throughout the entire production chain.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If single-cell fat production processes are used, then biofuel can be produced, but environmental burden is high and sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste products and side streams generated during single-cell fat production into valuable fat resources through microbiological treatment. By transforming the harmful organic matter waste into useful fat, the process eliminates environmental burdens while creating additional product, thereby enhancing sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the same microbiological processes can handle both the primary fat production and the treatment of side streams. This universal approach allows a single integrated system to address multiple functions: producing fat, treating waste, and generating biofuel, thereby reducing environmental impact and improving sustainability.
3Ease of manufacture
If side streams are treated and disposed of, then process completion is achieved, but costs increase and economic viability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the process to serve itself by using the side streams generated during fat production as feedstock for additional fat production. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external treatment and disposal services, converting a cost center into a value-generating activity that improves economic viability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding side streams and incurring disposal costs, the patent recovers the organic matter in these streams and converts it into fat through microbiological processes. This recovery strategy transforms a financial liability into an asset, generating additional revenue and improving the overall economic viability of the biofuel production process.
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 approach significantly enhances the total fat yield, reduces environmental impact, and lowers costs associated with side stream treatment, making single-cell fat production more economically viable and sustainable for large-scale biofuel production.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to the use of side streams obtainable from a single-cell oil production process or the use of an obtained cell suspension or cell mass for the production of fat
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the production of fat with a principal application as transportation biofuel or a component or raw material therefor. According to the method, cell masses, cell suspensions and/or liquid phases formed in the production of single cell oil, and/or biomass-containing side streams or microorganism cell masses for another purpose and/or originating from other sources, are contacted with a fat-production capable microorganism and the organism is allowed to produce fat. The resulting fat is recovered or the microorganism mass is passed to a single-cell oil production process. By means of the invention, the organic matter present in the cell mass and side streams of single-cell oil can be re-utilized for the production of the single-cell oil, thereby improving a total fat yield, as well as reducing an organic load of the side streams.