A "breakthrough" single-step process to extract oil from algae was unveiled by OriginOil, Inc yesterday (20th April) which says the company it intends to commercialize as soon as possible. Origin claims that its new algae oil extraction process is simpler and more efficient than current systems, without requiring chemicals or significant capital expenditure for heavy machinery.

"Throughout the world, algae production is becoming a fact, but it still has to be harvested efficiently," said Riggs Eckelberry, CEO of OriginOil. "Our breakthrough technology accomplishes key parts of the harvesting process in a single, cost-effective step. We are planning to make our new technology available to our fast-growing industry."

The company recently filed for patent protection of the new algae oil extraction process, its seventh patent application, entitled "Device and Method for Separation, Cell Lysing and Flocculation of Algae From Water." OriginOil CTO Dr Vikram Pattarkine said, "With this new process, we have greatly improved on our previous harvesting technology. We now have a single device and process that we will optimize and scale up in upcoming trials for commercialization."

In the process, the company’s Quantum Fracturing™ combines with electromagnetism and pH modification to break down cell walls, thereby releasing the oil within these 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.