Commercial development of bio-combustible fuels from hydrothermal liquefaction of waste using solar collectors

Abstract

Current methods to improve the viability of microalgae based biofuel production depend on improved microalgae strains, biorefinery concepts and identification of higher value applications such as cosmetics and nutraceuticals. Despite such efforts, the energy inputs into the microalgae conversion process remain high. The technical approach presented is to design, deploy and field test an integrated set-up of Concentrated Solar Power and Hydrothermal Liquefaction systems to produce bio-oil and evaluate the production and conversion processes. Phycofeeds’ approach is to integrate CSP and HTL technologies into the conversion process to improve the energy efficiency and the economic case for scaling microalgae based biofuel production. Further sustainability enhancements are achieved by integrating wastewater feedstock and market integration of output by-products for the aquaculture feed industry. This paper presents the microalgae harvesting and HTL bio-oil formation analysis procedures on a pre-pilot field scale. Solar concentrating captors are described and theoretical values obtained prior to experimental work that will be carried out in India.