International Energy, Inc. (OTCBB: IENI), has unveiled a continuous cyclic growth and hydrocarbon extraction process which, it says, can be applied to mass cultures of microalgae for the separation of bio-oils from the algal biomass. This proprietary IENI technology yields high purity microalgal bio-oils, which can serve as feedstock for the production of useful biofuels.

The company’s proprietary technology allows the microalgae to be processed for bio-oil separation and harvesting, while preserving the viability and vitality of the cells that produce them, says International Energy. Microalgae, stripped of their bio-oils, are then returned to the growth medium for further growth and hydrocarbon accumulation. This novel approach minimizes biomass generation time while enhancing yields of hydrocarbon production.

Over a period of three years, scientists now working under the auspices of International Energy have successfully identified proprietary microalgae that photosynthesize carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), and naturally accumulate up to 30% of their dry biomass in the form of liquid hydrocarbons. The latter can be easily converted into a variety of biofuels. Just recently, International Energy’s collaborating scientists also developed novel nutrient delivery protocols for enhanced and efficient growth of hydrocarbon accumulating microalgae, an important technical milestone that allows the company to overcome the second of the three major obstacles referenced above.