Process of producing oil from algae using biological rupturing

Abstract

A process for production of biofuels from algae can include cultivating an oil-producing algae, extracting the algal oil, and converting the algal oil to form biodiesel. Extracting the algal oil from the oil-producing algae can include biologically rupturing cell wall and oil vesicles of the oil-producing algae using at least one enzyme such as a cellulose or glycoproteinase, a structured enzyme system such as a cellulosome, a virus, or combination of these materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for production of biodiesel from algae, comprising:
 a) algae growth reservoirs including a carbon dioxide source and a mixing mechanism configured to circulate an oil-producing algae within the algae growth reservoirs;   b) an oil extraction bioreactor operatively connected to the algae growth reservoirs and configured for biologically rupturing algal oil vesicles of the oil-producing algae to form an algal oil and algal residue;   c) a biological agent source operatively connected to the oil extraction bioreactor including a biological agent selected from a cellulase, a glycoproteinase, a cellulosome, a virus, or a combination thereof; and   d) a conversion reactor operatively connected to the oil extraction bioreactor to convert at least a portion of the algal oil to a fuel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conversion reactor is configured to convert at least a portion of the algal oil to a biodiesel by direct hydrogenation of the algal oil. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the conversion reactor is configured to convert at least a portion of the algal oil to a biodiesel by transesterification of the algal oil. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biological agent includes a virus. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the biological agent consists essentially of at least one virus. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biological agent includes a cellulase, a glycoproteinase, or cellulosome.