Effects of Reaction Temperature on Product Distribution and Biocrude properties during Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Anaerobic Effluent Cultivated Chlorella sp.
Microalgae using nonarable land was considered as a promising biomass for biocrude oil production via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), in addition, it can been used for environmentally-friendly wastewater treatment. This study investigated the effect of temperature on the products distribution and biocrude properties from a Chlorella sp. cultivated in anaerobic digestion (AD) effluent of chicken manure. The highest oil yield (30.35%, daf) and energy recovery rate (49.6%) were both achieved at 330oC. While the highest HHV (37.17 MJ/kg) of biocrude oil was achieved at 290oC. The biocrude oil yield increased from 25.46% to 30.35% as the temperature increased from 270oC to 330oC. The gases yields show a similar trend under 310oC. On the contrary, the solid products yield decreased as the temperature approached 350oC. The lowest nitrogen content (4.6%) and highest H/C (1.50) of biocrude oil were obtained at 290oC and 270oC, respectively. Result implies that deoxygenation was enhanced with the temperature due to the enhanced decarboxylation with higher temperatures. Specially, the nitrogen content decreased by 39.4%-47.4% in the temperature range of 270oC-350oC. The integrated pathways for energy production and nutrients recycling from animal manure coupling anaerobic digestion/HTL, and algae technologies were further proposed.