Characterization of biocrudes recovered with and without solvent after hydrothermal liquefaction of algae

Donghai Xu, Phillip E. Savage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bench-scale, batch experiments exploring algae hydrothermal liquefaction typically use organic solvents such as dichloromethane (DCM) to recover biocrude from the reactor contents. Commercial-scale, continuous processes, however, may separate biocrude and the aqueous phase co-product without solvent use. Herein, we provide the first thorough examination of the influence of DCM extraction on biocrude yield and composition from microalgae liquefaction in hot compressed water (350. °C, 20. min). We provide gravimetric biocrude yields and biocrude characterization via elemental analysis, GC-MS, NMR, and IR spectroscopies. The application of DCM increases the biocrude yield because it extracts water-soluble compounds from the aqueous phase co-product. Indeed, the biocrude recovered from the aqueous phase accounted for about 8. wt% of the total amount of biocrude. The addition of these molecules diminishes the biocrude quality, however, by decreasing the C and H content, increasing the O and N content, and thereby decreasing the higher heating value of the biocrude. The biocrude extracted from the aqueous phase had a remarkably different elemental composition than did the biocrude recovered without solvent. The O and N contents were more than twice as high, and the higher heating value was 20% lower. The biocrudes recovered directly from hydrothermal liquefaction (e.g., without water and DCM coming into contact) were 87%-88% C and H, and possessed a higher heating value of >. 39. MJ/kg.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalAlgal Research
Volume6
Issue numberPA
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Agronomy and Crop Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Characterization of biocrudes recovered with and without solvent after hydrothermal liquefaction of algae'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this