Effect of Ni, Mo and W on hydrothermal co-liquefaction of macroalgae and microalgae: Impact on bio-crude yield and composition

The co-hydrothermal liquefaction of macroalgae (Enteromorpha Clathrata) and microalgae (Chlorella Vulgaris) with metal catalyst was conducted at the temperature of 350 degrees C. Ni/MCM-41, Mo/MCM-41 and W/MCM-41 catalysts were used to investigate the role of catalyst on the bio-oil yield and composition distribution during hydrothermal liquefaction. the physicochemical properties of MCM-41, Ni/MCM-41, Mo/MCM-41, and W/MCM-41 were investigated by SEM, XRD, XPS, and NH3-TPD. These catalysts all reduced the production of bio-oil but improved the quality of bio-oil. The results of ultimate analysis showed that Ni/MCM-41 revealed high per-formance in hydrodeoxygenation and upgrading of bio-oil, and had the highest HHV. Mo/MCM-41 displayed an achievement in increasing the content of hydrocarbons (23.04%) and reducing the relative content of acid products in bio-oil. The W/MCM-41 had the most obvious effect on increasing the content of ester compounds and reducing the content of N-containing compounds in bio-oil.

Automated summary

The co-hydrothermal liquefaction of macroalgae and microalgae with metal catalysts was investigated. The catalysts reduced the bio-oil production but improved its quality. Ni/MCM-41 showed high performance in hydrodeoxygenation and upgrading of bio-oil, while Mo/MCM-41 increased hydrocarbon content and reduced acid products in bio-oil. W/MCM-41 had a significant effect on increasing ester compounds and reducing N-containing compounds in bio-oil.