title: Effect of operating conditions on yield and quality of biocrude during hydrothermal liquefaction of halophytic microalga Tetraselmis sp.
abstract: The biomass of halophytic microalga Tetraselmis sp. with 16%w/w solids was converted into biocrude by a hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process in a batch reactor at different temperatures (310, 330, 350 and 370°C) and reaction times (5, 15, 30, 45 and 60min). The biocrude yield, elemental composition, energy density and severity parameter obtained at various reaction conditions were used to predict the optimum condition for maximum recovery of biocrude with improved quality. This study clearly indicated that the operating condition for obtaining maximum biocrude yield and ideal quality biocrude for refining were different. A maximum biocrude yield of ∼65wt% ash free dry weight (AFDW) was obtained at 350°C and 5min, with a severity parameter and energy density of 5.21 and ∼35MJ/kg, respectively. The treatment with 45min reaction time recorded ∼62wt% (AFDW) yield of biocrude with and energy density of ∼39MJ/kg and higher severity parameter of 7.53.
authors.affiliation: Microalgal Engineering Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. Electronic address: blessing.eboibi@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Eboibi
authors.affiliation: Microalgal Engineering Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia; Muradel Pty Ltd, Whyalla, South Australia 5600, Australia.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Microalgal Engineering Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ashman
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Division, Aban Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, Chennai 600 008, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chinnasamy
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000378:metabolism*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D008670:Metals; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Biocrude; Energy; Hydrothermal liquefaction; Microalgae; Tetraselmis sp.