Co-liquefaction of Chlorella and soybean straw for production of bio-crude: Effects of reusing aqueous phase as the reaction medium

Co-liquefaction was combined with hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) aqueous phase (AP) recirculation to improve the practicality of HTL process. The Chlorella powder (CL), soybean straw (SS), and their mixture (CS) with ratio 1:1 were processed at 300 degrees C for 20 min, and the AP was recirculated four times. The yield of CS bio-crude was increased (from 24.28% to 31.83%) by co-liquefaction, but remained stable during AP recirculation. By contrast, the yields were increased for CL bio-crude (from 32.40% to 41.19%), SS hydrochar (from 19.55% to 30.88%), and CS hydrochar (from 9.42% to 14.76%) by recirculation. The elemental analysis, chemical composition analysis, functionality analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and verification experiments (HTL with model AP components) show the N containing compounds (e.g., amines) in AP were converted into amides (acylation) for CL bio-crude, into N heterocycles (Maillard reactions) for CS hydrochar, and into Mannich bases for SS hydrochar, which contributed to the increased yield and N content (from 7.27% to 8.82% for CL bio-crude). Furthermore, the O content of CS biocrude was decreased (from 15.31% to 12.52%) by recirculation, resulted from the conversion of N-heterocyclic ketones into pyrazine derivates. The decreased O content and comprehensive combustibility index (from 0.306 to 0.177) of CS bio-crude indicate the great potential of this craft combination.

Automated summary

Co-liquefaction combined with hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) aqueous phase (AP) recirculation can improve the practicality of the HTL process. It was found that different compounds were formed during the co-liquefaction and recirculation, which led to changes in the yield and chemical properties of the bio-crude and hydrochar.