Catalytic Hydrotreatment of algal biocrude from fast Hydrothermal Liquefaction

Hydrotreatment(HDT) of algal biocrude produced via a continuous flow reactor system at reaction condition of 380 degrees C and 0.5 min is conducted over a range of commercially available C and mesoporous gamma Al2O3 supported, 5 wt% loaded Pt, Pd, Ru and NiMo catalysts. Upgraded Biocrude(UBC) yield of over 60 wt% was achieved with the highest yield gained via NiMo/Al2O3 catalysed reaction. The change in elemental composition resulted in the UBC attaining deoxygenation levels similar to crude oil with oxygen level in the region of 6.07-1.60 wt%, and a maximum denitrogenation of 42.7%. The low 0 content of the UBC increased the Higher Heating Value(HHV) in the range of 38.36-45.40 MJ/kg from a value of 36.54 MJ/kg for the biocrude feedstock. Similarly, combined with the yield, an Energy Recovery (ER) figure in the range of 0.76 and 1.03 was calculated for the Ru/Al2O3 and control HDT reactions, respectively. Simulated Distillation(SIMDIST) of the UBC showed redistribution of gas oil fraction (271 -343 degrees C) to lower and higher boiling point fractions, confirming both cracking and polymerisation reactions, also confirmed via Size Exclusion Chromatography(SEC). Additional analysis via ATR FT-IR showed formation of aromatics and GC-MS shed light on some of the molecular species present in the UBC. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.