Biocrude oil production via hydrothermal liquefaction of algae and upgradation techniques to liquid transportation fuels

Abstract

Hydrothermal liquefaction of algae is regarded as a favorable thermochemical process to produce biocrude oil from biomass with potential to complement conventional crude oil. This chapter discusses the production of biocrude oil via hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae. Due to the presence of high protein content in algal species, the catalytic removal of heteroatoms is required to make liquid transportation fuels (biodiesel and biogasoline) from algal biocrude oil. Therefore, different upgradation techniques are explored to remove the heteroatoms using various heterogeneous acid catalysts. Special focus is given to the effects of process parameters on hydrothermal liquefaction and upgradation techniques to escalate biocrude oil yield and liquid transportation fuels.