Diversified Technologies' PEF Pre-Treatment of Algae for Oil Extraction to Help Biorefineries Cut Costs

BEDFORD, MA--(Marketwire - Sep 19, 2011) - Diversified Technologies, Inc. has introduced a low-cost process (patent pending) for the pre-treatment of algae using pulsed electric field (PEF) technology to streamline the extraction of oils from algal cells early in the biorefining process.

The Diversified Technologies' PEF Pre-Treatment of Algae for Oil Extraction Process applies 10-30 kV/cm electric pulses for 2 to 20 microseconds to an algal slurry which rupture the cell walls to release biodiesel compounds such as methyl hexadecanoate. The firm estimates this low energy process of lysing algae cells would account for about $0.03/l of the price of algae-derived biofuel compared to $0.45/l for conventional drying prior to solvent extraction.

In-line and fully scalable to high production volumes, the Diversified Technologies' PEF Pre-Treatment of Algae for Oil Extraction Process consists of a chamber where the algal slurry is pumped into and treated along with a rack housing a power supply and pulse modulator. The pulsed electric field process has been proven in food disinfection and wastewater processing, where it has been in commercial use for several years.

The Diversified Technologies' PEF Pre-Treatment of Algae for Oil Extraction Process has been funded through a National Science Foundation grant.

About Diversified Technologies, Inc.

Diversified Technologies, Inc. is the developer and marketer of the PowerMod™ line of high voltage, high power pulse modulators, DC power supplies, and control systems. The firm's products are used worldwide in high power applications such as radar, high energy physics, defense, and food processing. Selected twice by R&D Magazine as one of the 100 most significant products of the year, PowerMod™ systems are available in a wide range of voltage, current, and performance configurations.