Hydrothermal liquefaction of Cyanophyta: Evaluation of potential bio-crude oil production and component analysis

This study investigated the effects of temperature (220-400 degrees C), reaction time (10-60 min), solid content (5-30%), andwater density (0.11-0.58 g/ml) in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of Cyanophyta for bio-crude. The maximum bio-crude yield of 39.54% was obtained at 370 degrees C, 10 wt.% solid concentration, and 50 min reaction time. Water density was not an important factor at the conditions studied. The biocrude contained phenols, benzene, alkanes, ketones, esters, aliphatic compounds and high content of N-containing heterocyclic compounds. High temperature (370 degrees C) favored formation of phenols, benzene, alkanes, fatty acids and PAHs, whereas relatively lower temperature condition (320 degrees C) favored producing alkenes and N-containing heterocyclic compounds. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.