Patents Assigned to LiveFuels, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9487716
    Abstract: Provided herein are controlled methods for producing biofuel and lipids from algae. In certain embodiments, the controlled methods comprise: (i) providing upwelled water in a body of water; (ii) culturing algae in the upwelled water; (iii) feeding the algae to planktivorious organisms; (iv) extracting lipids from the planktivorious organisms; and (v) polishing the lipids to make biofuel or other useful products. In certain embodiments, the upwelled water is provided in the body of water by using an open-cycle OTEC system. Also provided herein are controlled systems for producing biofuel and lipids from algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20150282461
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing biofuel from algae, that use fish which have a high capacity of producing and/or accumulating lipids to harvest algae from an algal culture. The invention also provides methods for growing fish that result in a high lipid content. The invention also provides methods for creating fish that have a high capacity of producing and accumulating lipids by breeding and/or recombinant DNA techniques. Also included are transgenic fish that have a higher lipid content than wild-type fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler
  • Publication number: 20150056672
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof by growing algae that produce the oils containing EPA and/or DHA and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof, harvesting the algae with fish in one or more enclosed systems, and then processing fish to separate and purify the EPA and/or DHA. The multi-trophic systems provided herein comprise at least one enclosure that contains the algae and the fishes, and means for controllably feeding the algae to the fishes. Also provided herein are the lipid compositions extracted from the fishes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20140220664
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for extracting lipids and/or producing biofuel from algae in marine and freshwater environments, wherein algae and bivalves are co-cultured in a system of enclosures comprising water that comprises recycled nutrients that are essential for algal growth. The system also include enclosures for culturing fishes which are used to harvest the algae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
  • Patent number: 8753851
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for extracting lipids and/or producing biofuel from algae in marine and freshwater environments, wherein algae and bivalves are co-cultured in a system of enclosures comprising water that comprises recycled nutrients that are essential for algal growth. The system also include enclosures for culturing fishes which are used to harvest the algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20130039833
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing ammonia fertilizer for culturing algae and aquaculture. The integrated systems provided herein can be installed on a hydrocarbon production platform and encompasses equipment and processes for generating electricity, preparation of an aqueous electrolyte, hydrogen generation by electrolysis, catalysis of ammonia formation, collection of ammonia, and optionally a nitrogen generator, and a plurality of subsystems for algae culture, and aquaculture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Luca Constantino Zullo
  • Publication number: 20120285392
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for mixing of carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or other nutrients in an ocean, wherein surface water CO2 is decreased to reduce or slow acidification of the ocean, and increases in fish populations are advantageously promoted. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for recovery of nutrients, for example, phosphorus, from an ocean floor in the form of fish biomass, which may be used to make such useful products as fish fillets, fish meal, fish oil, biofuel or fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20120283458
    Abstract: Provided herein are controlled methods for producing biofuel and lipids from algae. In certain embodiments, the controlled methods comprise: (i) providing upwelled water in a body of water; (ii) culturing algae in the upwelled water; (iii) feeding the algae to planktivorious organisms; (iv) extracting lipids from the planktivorious organisms; and (v) polishing the lipids to make biofuel or other useful products. In certain embodiments, the upwelled water is provided in the body of water by using an open-cycle OTEC system. Also provided herein are controlled systems for producing biofuel and lipids from algae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20120284165
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from water and quantifying the carbon so removed, thus facilitating valuation of that carbon for schemes (e.g., Kyoto agreement) that attach financial rewards for capture, sequestration or removal of carbon or CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20120184001
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for sustainable aquaculture. The methods provided herein allows recovery and/or recycling of autochthonous nutrients in fish farming, and recovery of allochthonous nutrients present in eutrophic water. The systems provided herein comprises two closely spaced cages, an array of rotary panels that regulates the flow of matters between the two cages; and a means for producing a directional water current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu
  • Publication number: 20120137574
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing biofuel from microalgae that use a population of zooplankton to harvest microalgae in a culture. The methods further comprise gathering the zooplankton, extracting lipids from the zooplankton, and processing the lipids to form biofuel. The systems provided herein comprise at least one enclosure comprising microalgae, means for making the microalgae available to a population of zooplankton, and means for gathering the zooplankton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu
  • Publication number: 20120058248
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for reducing algal biomass in eutrophic water, wherein organism that feed on algae are introduced into the eutrophic water and cultured in the eutrophic water, until the algal biomass is reduced or the organisms have reach desirable size. The body of eutrophic water can be restocked with juveniles after harvesting. The organisms can be fishes and/or shellfishes. The methods further comprising producing biofuel, specialty chemicals, nutraceuticals, food, and/or fish meal from the harvested fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20110239318
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing biofuel from algae, that use fish which have a high capacity of producing and/or accumulating lipids to harvest algae from an algal culture. The invention also provides methods for growing fish that result in a high lipid content. The invention also provides methods for creating fish that have a high capacity of producing and accumulating lipids by breeding and/or recombinant DNA techniques. Also included are transgenic fish that have a higher lipid content than wild-type fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler
  • Publication number: 20100236137
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof by growing algae that produce the oils containing EPA and/or DHA and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof, harvesting the algae with fish in one or more enclosed systems, and then processing fish to separate and purify the EPA and/or DHA. The multi-trophic systems provided herein comprise at least one enclosure that contains the algae and the fishes, and means for controllably feeding the algae to the fishes. Also provided herein are the lipid compositions extracted from the fishes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20100077654
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing biofuel from algae wherein the algae and fishes are co-cultured in a body of water. The methods further comprise inducing the algae to accumulate lipids by environmental stress, and concentrating the algae prior to extraction of the algal oil. The systems of the invention comprise at least one growth enclosure, means for concentrating algae, and means for subjecting algae to environmental stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20100081835
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing biofuel from algae that use cultured fish to harvest algae from an algal culture. The methods further comprise gathering the fish, extracting lipids from the fish, and processing the lipids to form biofuel. The multi-trophic systems of the invention comprises at least one enclosure that contains the algae and the fishes, and means for controllably feeding the algae to the fishes. The lipid compositions extracted from the fishes are also encompassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
  • Publication number: 20100050502
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for obtaining biofuel from an algae composition comprising algae and water. The system comprises a pump for pressurizing the algae composition to a predefined pressure and a heater for heating the algae composition to a predefined temperature. Lipids in the algae are extracted and/or hydrolyzed to form fatty acids at a set of predefined temperature and pressure. The water may be in a subcritical or supercritical state at the predefined pressure and predefined temperature. The system further comprises a separator for partitioning the treated algae composition into an organic phase which includes the lipids and/or fatty acids, an aqueous phase, and a solid phase with biomass residue, and for collecting the organic phase. The organic phase can be upgraded to biofuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, Charity Ann DeLuca, Emma Kathryn Payne