Hydrothermal liquefaction of Nannochloropsis oceanica in different solvents. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caporgno, M.P.; Pruvost, J.; Legrand, J.; Lepine, O.; Tazerout, M.; Bengoa, C.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 214(2016)
• Page Start: 404
• Page End: 410
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Bio-oil -- Co-solvents -- Hydrothermal liquefaction -- Microalgae; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.04.123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: High bio-oil yields were obtained from wet N. oceanica at low temperature. High temperatures increase bio-oil yields but decrease their quality. Alcohols as co-solvents increase the bio-oil yield from wet biomass. Low concentration of alcohols and low temperatures can improve bio-oil yields. Abstract: Although the hydrothermal liquefaction is considered a promising technology for converting microalgae into liquid biofuels, there are still some disadvantages. This paper demonstrated that the bio-oil yield can be significantly improved by adding alcohols as co-solvents and carrying out the conversion at mild conditions (<250 °C), but at the expense of a reduced bio-oil quality. By adding ethanol, the bio-oil yields obtained (up to ∼60%) were comparable to the yield obtained at severe operating conditions using only water as solvent (54 ± 2% on average), but the quality of the bio-oil was lower. However, the main advantages of the process here described lie in the utilisation of wet microalgae (∼75% moisture) and alcohol concentrations which avoid both drying the microalgae and decreasing the amount of microalgae loaded in the reactor.