Hydrothermal Liquefaction proves to be one of the promising process among thermochemical conversion technologies in the production of liquid transportation fuels. The red alga Galdieria sulphuraria was liquefied in a stainless-steel batch reactor and the influence of biomass loading, residence time and temperature was assessed. A maximum biocrude oil yield of 35.0 wt% was obtained at 300 °C and at a solid loading ratio of 20 % for 30 minutes residence time. Various analytical techniques were employed to analyze the valuable chemical components present in the liquefied products (bio-oil, biochar, water soluble compounds, and gaseous phase). Analysis of biochar using ICP-OES and elemental analyzer indicated the presence of macronutrients (nitrogen 6.36 mg & phosphorus 6.59 mg per gram of biochar), which are re-utilized to cultivate microalgae. Biochar was leached for macronutrients at different pH conditions (1.0 – 7.0) to estimate the efficiency and study the growth characteristics of microalgae. Gas Chromatography Mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 1H NMR spectroscopy and calorimetric techniques were also used to analyze the products. Energy recovery was calculated through the ultimate and proximate analysis of the products.
See more of this Session: Advances in Algal Biorefineries
See more of this Group/Topical: Sustainable Engineering Forum
See more of this Group/Topical: Sustainable Engineering Forum