title: Influence of strain-specific parameters on hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae.
abstract: Algae are an interesting feedstock for producing biofuel via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), due to their high water content. In this study, algae slurries (5-7 wt% daf) from different species were liquefied at 250 and 375 °C in batch autoclaves during 5 min. The aim was to analyze the influence of strain-specific parameters (cell structure, biochemical composition and growth environment) on the HTL process. Results show big variations in the biocrude oil yield within species at 250 °C (from 17.6 to 44.8 wt%). At 375 °C, these differences become less significant (from 45.6 to 58.1 wt%). An appropriate characterization of feedstock appeared to be critical to interpret the results. If a high conversion of microalgae-to-biocrude is pursued, near critical conditions are required, with Scenedesmus almeriensis (freshwater) and Nannochloropsis gaditana (marine) leading to the biocrude oils with lower nitrogen content from each growth environment.
authors: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Diego.LopezBarreiro@UGent.be.
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: López Barreiro
authors: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Zamalloa
authors: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Nico
authors: N
authors: Boon
authors: Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Vyverman
authors: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Frederik
authors: F
authors: Ronsse
authors: Sustainable Process Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Brilman
authors: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Wolter
authors: W
authors: Prins
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003470:Culture Media; D058086:Microalgae; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D058433:Photobioreactors; D044444:Scenedesmus / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D058009:Stramenopiles / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D003470:Culture Media; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Biofuel production; Hydrothermal liquefaction; Microalgae