Use of marine algae for producing polymers
Inventors
Lindell, Scott R. • Reddy, Christopher M. • O'Neil, Gregory W.
Assignees
Marine Biological Laboratory • Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • Western Washington University
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Publication Number
US-9879288-B2
Publication Date
2018-01-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
In certain aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing polymers from alkenone-producing algae, such as algae species of the Isochrysis family.
Core Innovation
A method of producing alkenone derivatives from an algal extract uses culturing alkenone-producing algae under a growth condition sufficient to produce alkenones within the algae. The approach relies on a large surface growth area for the algal culture so that alkenones are produced in situ.
The method dries the algae and extracts lipids and alkenones from the algae to produce an alkenone-containing extract. The resulting extract is processed by chemically modifying the alkenones to produce alkenone derivatives, where the derivatives comprise hydrocarbons, polymers, or combinations thereof.
After chemical modification, the method recovers the alkenone derivatives from the extract. The alkenone feedstock includes alkenones having a carbon number range of C35–C40, and downstream conversion pathways include pyrolysis/cracking and catalytic hydroprocessing.
Claims Coverage
The content provides one independent claim, with dependent claims refining algae selection, alkenone characteristics, chemical modification, and derivative recovery. The core coverage centers on culturing alkenone-producing algae, extracting an alkenone-containing extract, chemically modifying the alkenones into hydrocarbons and/or polymers, and recovering the resulting derivatives.
Alkenone-derivative production from alkenone-containing algal extract
A method producing alkenone derivatives comprising culturing alkenone-producing algae under a growth condition sufficient to produce alkenones, drying and extracting lipids and alkenones to produce an alkenone-containing extract, chemically modifying the alkenones in the extract to produce alkenone derivatives comprising hydrocarbons, polymers, or combinations thereof, and recovering the alkenone derivatives from the extract after the chemical modification.
Isochrysis-family alkenone-producing algae
The method of producing alkenone derivatives uses alkenone-producing algae that is a species in the Isochrysis family.
C35–C40 alkenone feedstock
The method uses alkenones having a carbon number ranging from 35 to 40.
Pyrolysis and/or catalytic hydroprocessing modification
The chemically modifying step pyrolyzes and/or catalytically hydroprocesses the alkenones to produce the alkenone derivatives.
Stationary growth phase for alkenone production
The growth conditions comprise a stationary growth phase.
Solvent recovery using hexane or butane
Recovering alkenone derivatives from an extract uses a hexane or butane solvent.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the inventive approach is grounded in producing an alkenone-containing extract from culturing alkenone-producing algae, chemically modifying the alkenones into hydrocarbons and/or polymers, and recovering the resulting derivatives, with refinements that specify Isochrysis-family algae, C35–C40 alkenones, stationary-phase growth conditions, pyrolysis and/or catalytic hydroprocessing, and optional recovery using hexane or butane.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Producing hydrocarbons and polymers from alkenone derivatives derived from an algal extract, including derivative pathways that cover liquid fuels and gaseous fuels, as well as polymer production via direct polymerization or via chemical modification routes including pyrolysis/cracking to monomer precursors.
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