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Biocrude oil production and nutrient recovery from algae by two-step hydrothermal liquefaction using a semi-continuous reactor

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Abstract

We evaluated two-step hydrothermal liquefaction in a semi-continuous reactor for recovery of both nutrients and biocrude from the alga Coelastrum sp. in direct comparison with a one-step process. The influence of the operating temperature, pressure and water flow rate was investigated by means of a 2k factorial experimental design and response surface methodology. The two-step process gave a higher total biocrude yield (~36 wt% (daf. basis)) and nutrient recovery level in terms of nitrogen containing compounds (~60 wt% of the protein content in the original algae as ammonium and nitrate ions and protein/polypeptides) than the single-step process. The highest biocrude yield was achieved at first-step temperature of 473 K, second-step temperature of 593 K, pressure of 200 bar and water flow rate of 0.5 mL/min.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fuels Research Center, Department of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Sasithorn Sunphorka, Napida Hinchiranan & Prapan Kuchonthara

  2. Department of Petrochemical and Polymer Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Keerati Prapaiwatcharapan

  3. Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, 7th Floor, Chulalongkorn University, Research Building, Soi Chula 12, Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Napida Hinchiranan & Prapan Kuchonthara

  4. PTT Research and Technology Institute, Phahon Yothin Road, Wangnoi, Ayutthaya, 13170, Thailand

    Kunn Kangvansaichol

Authors
  1. Sasithorn Sunphorka
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  2. Keerati Prapaiwatcharapan
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  3. Napida Hinchiranan
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  4. Kunn Kangvansaichol
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  5. Prapan Kuchonthara
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Correspondence to Prapan Kuchonthara.

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Sunphorka, S., Prapaiwatcharapan, K., Hinchiranan, N. et al. Biocrude oil production and nutrient recovery from algae by two-step hydrothermal liquefaction using a semi-continuous reactor. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 32, 79–87 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-014-0165-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-014-0165-5

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