Analysis of Solid and Aqueous Phase Products from Hydrothermal Carbonization of Whole and Lipid-Extracted Algae

Amber Broch, Umakanta Jena, S. Kent Hoekman and Joel Langford
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Amber Broch: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, USA
Umakanta Jena: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, USA
S. Kent Hoekman: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, USA
Joel Langford: Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512, USA

Energies, 2013, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Microalgae have tremendous potential as a feedstock for production of liquid biofuels, particularly biodiesel fuel via transesterification of algal lipids. However, biodiesel production results in significant amounts of algal residues, or “lipid extracted algae” (LEA). Suitable utilization of the LEA residue will improve the economics of algal biodiesel. In the present study, we evaluate the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of whole and lipid extracted algal ( Spirulina maxima ) feedstocks in order to produce a solid biofuel (hydrochar) and value-added co-products in the aqueous phase. HTC experiments were performed using a 2-L Parr reactor (batch type) at 175–215 °C with a 30-min holding time. Solid, aqueous and gaseous products were analyzed using various laboratory methods to evaluate the mass and carbon balances, and investigate the existence of high value chemicals in the aqueous phase. The HTC method is effective in creating an energy dense, solid hydrochar from both whole algae and LEA at lower temperatures as compared to lignocellulosic feedstocks, and is effective at reducing the ash content in the resulting hydrochar. However, under the treatment temperatures investigated, less than 1% of the starting dry algae mass was recovered as an identified high-value chemical in the aqueous phase.

Keywords: hydrothermal carbonization; HTC; algae; lipid extracted algae; LEA; bio-chemicals; ash (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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