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Evaluation of bio-crude oil through hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae-bacteria consortium grown in open pond using wastewater

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Abstract

The present study demonstrates a promising approach for production of bio-crude oil via hydrothermal liquefaction of microbial biomass grown in large-scale open raceway pond. Three key attributes to achieve process feasibility are co-cultivation of microalgae and bacteria resulting in high biomass titre, utilization of paper industry wastewater as cheap source of nutrients and water, and one-step direct conversion of biomass into bio-crude oil. High biomass titre of 4 g L−1 with 90% of COD removal efficiency was achieved, depicting robust performance of the microalgae-bacteria consortium in industrial wastewater and under fluctuating environmental condition. Statistical optimization resulted in highest bio-crude oil yield of 21.7 (%, w/w) under optimal temperature, biomass loading and reaction time of 299.7 °C, 16.1 (%, w/v) and 65 min, respectively. Bio-crude oil with energy recovery of 43% and heating value of 33.1 MJ kg−1 reflects 81.7% and 73.4% heating value of biodiesel and diesel, respectively. While high percentage of hydrocarbon content in bio-crude oil indicates good oil quality, the presence of significant esters fraction might offer resemblance to biodiesel. Lower H/C ratio and higher O/C ratio in comparison to diesel indicate requirement of upgradation of bio-crude oil before it can be realized at commercial scale.

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Funding

This research work was partially supported by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India.

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  1. Bidhu Bhusan Makut and Gargi Goswami have equal first author contribution to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Energy, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India

    Bidhu Bhusan Makut & Debasish Das

  2. Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India

    Gargi Goswami & Debasish Das

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  1. Bidhu Bhusan Makut
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Correspondence to Debasish Das.

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Makut, B.B., Goswami, G. & Das, D. Evaluation of bio-crude oil through hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae-bacteria consortium grown in open pond using wastewater. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 12, 2567–2581 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00795-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00795-x

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