Biller, P and Ross, AB (2012) Hydrothermal processing of algal biomass for the production of biofuels and chemicals. Biofuels, 3 (5). 603 - 623. ISSN 1759-7269
Abstract
The area of processing algal biomass under hydrothermal conditions has received increasing interest over the last decade. The process has been identified to be especially suited for high moisture aquatic biomass such as microalgae and macroalgae, as the biomass is processed wet as a slurry in hot-compressed water. At lower temperatures, hydrothermal processing leads to carbonization reactions of the biomass and the primary product is a biochar - so-called hydrothermal carbonization. At intermediate temperatures, below the critical point of water, the process is referred to as hydrothermal liquefaction and the primary product is a biocrude. Above the critical point, gasification reactions predominate and the primary product is a syngas. Microalgae are regarded as a promising source of third-generation biofuels due to their high lipid content, fast growth rates and the absence of competition for food production. Macroalgae have high carbohydrate content and represent a largely untapped source of biomass for bioenergy and chemicals. The scope of this review is to summarize the current state of research on the hydrothermal carbonization, liquefaction and gasification of algal biomass. The effect of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, operating conditions, energy balances and nutrient recycling are discussed.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | Algal biomass; Bio-energy; Biochar; Carbohydrate content; Critical points; Fast growth rate; Food production; Gasification reaction; High moisture; Homogeneous catalysis; Hot compressed water; Hydrothermal carbonization; Hydrothermal liquefactions; Hydrothermal processing; Intermediate temperatures; Lipid content; Macro-algae; Micro-algae; Nutrient recycling; Operating condition; State of research; Syn-gas; Third generation |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemical & Process Engineering (Leeds) > Energy Research Institute (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Jul 2013 11:16 |
Last Modified: | 11 Jul 2013 11:16 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.4155/bfs.12.42 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Future Science |
Identification Number: | 10.4155/bfs.12.42 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:75962 |