Process Design and Economics for the Conversion of Algal Biomass to Hydrocarbons: Whole Algae Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Upgrading
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This report provides a preliminary analysis of the costs associated with converting whole wet algal biomass into primarily diesel fuel. Hydrothermal liquefaction converts the whole algae into an oil that is then hydrotreated and distilled. The secondary aqueous product containing significant organic material is converted to a medium btu gas via catalytic hydrothermal gasification.
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Zhu et al. (2019) includes a sensitivity analysis of biocrude yield based on literature, but the range (35-60%) only encompassed three studies.
“Zhu et al. (2019) includes a sensitivity analysis of biocrude yield based on literature, but the range (35 - 60%) only encompassed three studies [13,70,71].”
From Microalgae to biofuels through hydrothermal liquefaction: Open-source techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment (2021) · cites this paper as [13]
Section 4.1 and the sensitivity discussion accompanying Figure 11 show that the report analyzes the effect of AHTL oil yield on fuel cost. The Figure 5 discussion draws on published and unpublished yield data, but the passages do not establish a 35–60% sensitivity range or say it encompassed only three studies; the report instead describes a 20% yield-reduction scenario. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredHTL and pyrolysis have both been experimentally demonstrated to be viable processes for the conversion of microalgae to bio-oil.
“Two thermochemical technologies, HTL and pyrolysis, have both been experimentally demonstrated to be viable processes for the conversion of microalgae to bio-oil.”
From Lifecycle assessment of microalgae to biofuel: Comparison of thermochemical processing pathways (2015) · cites this paper as [3]
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References 28 · Cited by 300
Research works printed but not linked: 5
- Robert C. Brown, pp. 200-231. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, United Kingdom.
- Garcia Alba, Laura, C, Torri, D. Fabbri, S. Kersten, D. Brilman. 2013a. "Microalgae growth on the a ueous phase from hydrothermal li uefaction of the same microalgae." Chemical Engineering Journal, 228:214-223.
- Gary, James, G. Handwerk, M. Kaiser. 2007. Petroluem Refining Technolgy and Economics, CRC Press.
- Kosseva, Maria, and C. Webb. 2013. Food Industry Wastes -Assessment and Recuperation of Commodities. Elsevier Press. Accessed online from Knovel at http://app.knovel.com/hotlink/toc/id:kpFIWARC0E/food-industry-wastes
- Sapphire 2013. "Sapphire Energy and Phillips 66 to Advance Commercialization of Algae Crude Oil" accessed at http://www.sapphireenergy.com/press-article/1986963-sapphire-energy-and-phillips-66-to
- Authors
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), R., Jones, S., USDOE, Zhu, Y., Anderson, D., Hallen, R., Elliott, D., Schmidt, A., Albrecht, K., Hart, T., Butcher, M., Drennan, C., Snowden-Swan, L., Davis, R., & Kinchin, C.
- Affiliations
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (US)
- National Laboratory of the Rockies (US)
- Published
- 2014-03-20
- OpenAlex
- W2184530035
- Cited by
- 300
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 1
- Type
- report
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- USDOE
- DOE (AC05-76RL01830)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Catalysis and Hydrodesulfurization Studies
- Keywords
- hydrothermal liquefaction, algal biomass, diesel fuel, hydrotreating, catalytic hydrothermal gasification, medium-Btu gas, process design, cost analysis, biofuels
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