World of Algae Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2 - February 10 2010

Low Cost Algae Oil Extraction

Processing Algae is Energy-Intensive and Costly

Harvesting algae is a challenge. Algae grow suspended in large volumes of water. Once ready for harvest, the algae culture must be concentrated and the oil extracted from each cell. Then, the oil, water and biomass must all be separated for processing. The new OriginOil process achieves all these steps in one pass.

In the process, Quantum Fracturing™ combines with pulsed electromagnetic fields and pH modification to break down cell walls, thereby releasing the oil within the cells. Algae oil rises to the top for skimming and refining, while the remaining biomass settles to the bottom for further processing as fuel and other valuable products.

Single-Step Extraction™: Simpler and More Efficient

Initial testing indicates that the new algae oil extraction process is simpler and more efficient than current systems, without requiring chemicals or significant capital expenditure for heavy machinery.

In addition to integrating this process into its own production system, OriginOil plans to rapidly commercialize the patent-pending process for use by others in the fast-growing algae industry.

The Single-Step Extraction Process

Mature algae culture is injected through through the OriginOil device, where Quantum Fracturing™, pulsed electromagnetic fields and pH modification (using CO₂) combine to break the cell walls. The processed culture now travels into a settling tank, or gravity clarifier, to fully separate into oil, water and biomass.