A review on fast hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is one of the most promising processes for the production of liquid biofuel as it can directly and efficiently convert wet biomass into biocrude with high heating values and avoid the energy-intensive drying process. Compared with conventional isothermal HTL, fast HTL utilizes a rapid heating process to avoid unfavorable secondary reactions and achieves a higher biocrude yield in short reaction times. This paper summarized the effects of biomass composition, moisture content, heating rate, temperature, holding time and pressure on the yield and composition of biocrude from fast HTL. Recoveries of nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in aqueous phase products under isothermal and fast HTL conditions were compared. In addition, reaction kinetic networks of fast HTL and computational fluid dynamics modeling of the reactor were also reviewed. Future research directions were finally proposed to realize the industrialization of fast HTL.

Automated summary

This paper provides a summary of the effects of various factors on the yield and composition of biocrude in fast hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). It compares the recovery of nutrients in aqueous phase products under isothermal and fast HTL conditions. The study also reviews the reaction kinetic networks and computational fluid dynamics modeling of fast HTL.