Energy & Fuels, Vol.31, No.11, 12223-12231, 2017
Catalytic Conversion of Chlamydomonas to Hydrocarbons via the Ethanol-Assisted Liquefaction and Hydrotreating Processes
Ethanol-assisted liquefaction followed by a hydrotreating process has been applied to the microalgal biomass of Chlamydomonas. The intent of the research was to develop process technology to convert microalgae into drop-in fuels. The operation conditions of the ethanol-assisted liquefaction were optimized using the following variables: reaction temperatures (200-290 degrees C), ethanol concentration (10-90 vol. %), residence time (0.5-2 h), and the catalyst (SO4-2/ZrO2). The application of a higher ethanol concentration and the solid acid enhanced extraction of algal lipids and transesterification. The highest liquid yield of 93.7% for catalytic liquefaction was obtained under the reaction conditions of (290 degrees C, 90 vol. % ethanol, and 0.5 h). Hydrotreating of the liquid products generated via liquefying microalgae was conducted over a Mo2C/Biochar catalyst at 340 degrees C and 3.44 MPa hydrogen. The obtained products contained predominantly hydrocarbon molecules falling into the diesel range.