Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae
Lead Research Organisation:
Aston University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Applied Science
Abstract
Introduction
There are many renewable technologies that can produce clean energy but there are still issues surrounding the production of sustainable and renewable liquid fuels and chemicals. In order to meet this need the utilisation of algae has recently emerged as a promising resource. Microalgae in particular are the focus of research towards third generation bio-fuels. Microalgae are very simple aquatic organisms that are able to produce large amounts of lipids, a key precursor in the production of bio-diesel. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is an attractive conversion technology as it does not require the algal feedstock to be dried before processing; eliminating the large energy loses in many of the more traditional conversion techniques (requiring a dry feedstock) used for first and second generation bio-fuels.
Aims
Conversion of algae feedstocks, utilising mainly microalgal species to crude bio-oil at high yields and maximisation of mass and energy recovery stored in the algae feedstock (transferred to the crude bio-oil)
Potential collaboration with other institutes for continuous HTL processing of wet algal slurries (potentially wastewater grown algae) on the basis of HTL experiments carried out in the existing high-pressure batch reactor (with different processing parameters)
Production of high quality biocrude oil (in batch and continuous reactor) by application of various processing parameters (temperature, residence time, application of co-solvents and reactive atmospheres, potential extraction of valuable macromolecules such as oils and lipids prior the hydrothermal processing)
Recovery of nutrients in the waste (by-product) stream from HTL experiments. These nutrients (particularly nitrogen compounds) can be recycled to the alga bioreactor.
Achieve industrially relevant results. Design of Experiment (DoE) approach (taking into consideration all crucial processing parameters) for all laboratory experiments should impact the research output that can be transferred to industrial scales. In order to investigate the potential and viability for hydrothermal liquefaction of algal biomass as a standalone process or part of a larger bio-refinery concept.
Application of heterogeneous catalysts suitable for the upgrading of HTL derived bio-crudes (reducing nitrogen content, reducing oxygen content, increasing heating values and modifying various physical characteristics such as viscosity)
Methodology
Characterisation of algae feedstock (as slurries) for hydrothermal processing by elemental and metal analysis, assessment of thermal and chemical properties (thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR analysis, lipid extraction and chromatographic (GC-MS) characterisation)
HTL in a small (25 ml) high-pressure reactor.
Potential use of continuous liquefaction rig via collaboration with other institutes through the BRISK2 programme.
Product separation and characterisation using wide range of appropriate analytical techniques including chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, FTIR and elemental analysis).
Full characterisation of aqueous streams from HTL experiments for potential recycling of nutrients used in the BioFence reactor (using liquid chromatography and, elemental analysis).
Detailed study into application of commonly used industrially relevant catalysts in the upgrading of produced bio-crudes, followed by catalyst fine-tuning and promotion.
Detailed data mining and statistical data processing including the use of analysis of variance and principal component analysis.
Full computer software based modelling exercise using data from experiments and data from the literature in order to perform a techno-economic evaluation of HTL of algae for the production of bio-fuels.
There are many renewable technologies that can produce clean energy but there are still issues surrounding the production of sustainable and renewable liquid fuels and chemicals. In order to meet this need the utilisation of algae has recently emerged as a promising resource. Microalgae in particular are the focus of research towards third generation bio-fuels. Microalgae are very simple aquatic organisms that are able to produce large amounts of lipids, a key precursor in the production of bio-diesel. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is an attractive conversion technology as it does not require the algal feedstock to be dried before processing; eliminating the large energy loses in many of the more traditional conversion techniques (requiring a dry feedstock) used for first and second generation bio-fuels.
Aims
Conversion of algae feedstocks, utilising mainly microalgal species to crude bio-oil at high yields and maximisation of mass and energy recovery stored in the algae feedstock (transferred to the crude bio-oil)
Potential collaboration with other institutes for continuous HTL processing of wet algal slurries (potentially wastewater grown algae) on the basis of HTL experiments carried out in the existing high-pressure batch reactor (with different processing parameters)
Production of high quality biocrude oil (in batch and continuous reactor) by application of various processing parameters (temperature, residence time, application of co-solvents and reactive atmospheres, potential extraction of valuable macromolecules such as oils and lipids prior the hydrothermal processing)
Recovery of nutrients in the waste (by-product) stream from HTL experiments. These nutrients (particularly nitrogen compounds) can be recycled to the alga bioreactor.
Achieve industrially relevant results. Design of Experiment (DoE) approach (taking into consideration all crucial processing parameters) for all laboratory experiments should impact the research output that can be transferred to industrial scales. In order to investigate the potential and viability for hydrothermal liquefaction of algal biomass as a standalone process or part of a larger bio-refinery concept.
Application of heterogeneous catalysts suitable for the upgrading of HTL derived bio-crudes (reducing nitrogen content, reducing oxygen content, increasing heating values and modifying various physical characteristics such as viscosity)
Methodology
Characterisation of algae feedstock (as slurries) for hydrothermal processing by elemental and metal analysis, assessment of thermal and chemical properties (thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR analysis, lipid extraction and chromatographic (GC-MS) characterisation)
HTL in a small (25 ml) high-pressure reactor.
Potential use of continuous liquefaction rig via collaboration with other institutes through the BRISK2 programme.
Product separation and characterisation using wide range of appropriate analytical techniques including chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, FTIR and elemental analysis).
Full characterisation of aqueous streams from HTL experiments for potential recycling of nutrients used in the BioFence reactor (using liquid chromatography and, elemental analysis).
Detailed study into application of commonly used industrially relevant catalysts in the upgrading of produced bio-crudes, followed by catalyst fine-tuning and promotion.
Detailed data mining and statistical data processing including the use of analysis of variance and principal component analysis.
Full computer software based modelling exercise using data from experiments and data from the literature in order to perform a techno-economic evaluation of HTL of algae for the production of bio-fuels.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509425/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 2003673 | Studentship | EP/N509425/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2022 | Christopher Thomas |
| EP/R512989/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2003673 | Studentship | EP/R512989/1 | 01/10/2017 | 31/03/2022 | Christopher Thomas |
| Description | This project aimed to test a novel route to produce sustainable liquid biofuels from various algal biomass streams for the road and air transport sectors. The aim of this project is to use a process known as liquefaction to produce replacement liquid biofuels derived from various algal feedstocks. Utilising biomass as a renewable source of carbon is a research area that has received a great deal of interest in recent times. This is of particular interest as more and more emphasis and attention is on lowering our net CO2 emissions as we try to reach net carbon neutral status. Hydrothermal liquefaction involves high temperatures and high pressures analogous to how our fossil reserves were originally formed. Liquefaction produces a liquid product known as biocrude, which is rich in organics, this biocrude product is much more energy dense than the original biomass. The biocrude can be further upgraded to produce transportation fuels that can be potentially integrated into existing petrochemical refining infrastructure. Liquefaction offers a unique reaction environment where hot compressed water is used as the reaction solvent, this process typically produces a biocrude product with superior characteristics when compared to biocrudes produced from other thermal conversion techniques such as pyrolysis. During this project the first stage involved aquatic biomass feedstock characterisation was carried out for a range of seaweeds (macroalgae) found widely in the UK alongside a number of microalgal species. Based on the results obtained the macroalgae species were found to be more suitable to biochemical processing such as fermentation if liquid transportation fuels are the desired end product. Microalgae were found to be very suitable for processing via hydrothermal due to their inherently high water content and significant compositional differences when compared to macroalgae and other common biomass feedstocks such as wood and plant waste streams. The biocrudes produced thus far in the project are shown to be of high quality and are able to be upgraded to refinery feedstock products containing low sulphur and oxygen content after hydrotreating with metal based catalysts. The goal of this project was to start at a TRL-1 basis and to bring the application of this technology towards the TRL-3 leading to proof of concept. This project will provide a good foundation for further studies perhaps on another project at a post doctoral level. The subject area has many potential avenues for industrial partnership within the liquefaction of biomass and waste products with an aim to producing liquid biofuels particularly in the middle distillates range for transportation applications. |
| Exploitation Route | This project focused on a small-scale batch basis for the processing of biomass, further studies and funding could expand and develop this through the use of continuous processing of the biomass streams to produce the biocrudes along side separate continuous upgrading of the biocrude to middle distillate products. Another avenue would be to apply and leverage the processing and analytical techniques developed during this PhD study to focus on a different feedstock stream such as non-recyclable waste plastics which there is a great deal of public interest in currently. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Energy,Transport |
| Description | Travel Grant PHYCONET Training and Conference Funding |
| Amount | £250 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Department | Networks in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2018 |
| End | 02/2018 |
| Description | Travel Grant Sponsored by Joint Academic Development Programme UK/Gulf (British Council) awarded to Aston and Muscat University |
| Amount | £1,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Council |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2019 |
| End | 02/2019 |
| Title | New Analytical Methods for the characterisation of algal biocrudes and upgraded products |
| Description | Alongside Dr Khalid Doudin (Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemsitry (CEAC) at Aston University) I have been able to develop a new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance application to further and more fully characterise my complex bio-crudes mixtures produced from liquefaction of my biomass feedstocks. The technique involves the use of the PENDANT (Polarisation enhancement nurtured during attached nucleus testing) pulse program allowing for the detection of quaternary carbon atoms in addition to signals indicative of CH, CH2 and CH3 groups which hasn't been used in this area before. Along with technical experts from Shimadzu Ltd I have adapted and applied a novel bio-crude characterisation technique usually used in the petrochemical industry for the characterisation of fossil derived fuels in an attempt at making meaningful comparisons of the products of liquefied biomass to current fuel standards. The technique is known as SimDis and utilises a gas chromatograph to perform a 'simulated distillation' of the sample, |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | ?????? |
| Description | Bi-lateral research collaboration with Muscat University (British Council Project) |
| Organisation | Muscat University |
| Country | Oman |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | During this bi-lateral collaboration my research team exchanged knowledge within the field of hydrothemral liquefaction and bio-crude characterisation by GC-MS/FID methods. This was achieved through the use of regular video conferences and email exchange on top of two research exchange visits (Muscat staff to Aston and Aston staff to Muscat). |
| Collaborator Contribution | During my research exchange visit to Muscat University (February 2019) I was able to carry out microfluidics studies using a state-of-the-art optical imaging system not available at my home institution. A series of experiments allowed me to gather initial rhelogical behaviours for the dewatering of my algal samples used for my hydrothermal liquefaction research at Aston University. This was also complimented by some practical training and guidance from Dr Nader Mosavat (Muscat University, FET). |
| Impact | Final project report for the Joint Academic Development Programme UK/Gulf Reporting (British Council Application ID 372650490) |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Research collaboration with Varicon Aqua Ltd UK (Private Company) |
| Organisation | Varicon Aqua Solutions Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Aston research team shared its knowledge with Varicon Aqua Ltd on thermochemical processing of algal feedstock towards biofuels and value-added chemicals. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Through long term and well estabilshed collaboration with Varicon Aqua Ltd my research team had an opportunity to discuss a wide range or microalgae related topics including; algae growth, harvest, lipid extraction and algae as a feedstock for thermochemical processing. Varicon Aqua researchers supported me with algal samples (Nannochloropsis gaditana) from industrial streams grown in the USA. We also recieved biochemical data for the algae streams. |
| Impact | At the time of this report only raw research data from thermochemical processing algae has been generated. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | "Green Energy" workshop (Muscat University) to address aspects of renewable technologies in the UK and Gulf Countries and needs for R&D development in the field of green energy in the Sultanate of Oman. (Muscat University, Sultanate of Oman 24.02.2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I took an active participation in the organisation of this event collaborating with partners from Muscat University and my direct engagement was to deliver a presentation summarising my PhD research, titled - 'Algae based biorefinery - fuels or value-added chemicals?' The presentation was designed to introduce the attendees to the research institute that I am involved with as well as the area of research my studentship focuses on. Very interesting questions from attendees centred around the application of algae derived biofuels in the Middle Eastern states, and this allowed me to share my knowledge with PhD students and research fellows from other institutes in the Sultanate of Oman. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Doctoral training network - Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) - Innovate UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Energy Research Accelerator is Innovate UK funded consortium based in the Midlands of the UK, there is also match funding and support supplied by a range of industrial partners. Part of ERAs work is through the ERA doctoral training programme, designed to provide researchers with a solid grounding during their PhD. As part of this training programme I have been involved in a number of training days and events. ERA Cohort Event February 2018 - This event involved meeting the rest of the ERA cohort, understanding the aims and vision of ERA, the importance of postgraduate researchers in ERA and developing a broader understanding of the range of work ERA is involved in. The day also involved a presentation as an introduction to myself and the area I will be focusing on during my PhD. Personal Resilience Training May 2018 This event was hosted at Loughborough University The event was organised with an external provider (Dr Emily Grossman) who has considerable experience of generating ideas and developing skills to enable students and researchers to pitch their ideas to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes. The training involved the use and control of body language to better engage audiences. ERA Impact event September 2018 Hosted at the University of Leicester this event involved a hands-on two day workshop where the importance of taking an 'impact-based' approach to project development was introduced. Other topics included; how to create effective research 'outcomes' not just project 'outputs', understanding the importance of stakeholder management and finally a team based exercise focused on developing team work, negotiating & presentation skills. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| URL | https://www.era.ac.uk/Our-Students/Chris-Thomas-Aston-University/142507 |
| Description | Engagement with Horizon 2020 "ABC-Salt" Research consortium - public event 3 day summer school (Aston University 12-14.08.2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I attended the Horizon 2020 project ABC Salt Summer school on 'Advanced thermochemical conversion biomass technologies' where I presented a poster titled 'An investigation into macromolecular reaction pathways in the hydrothermal treatment of microalgal model compounds'. During the two day summer school there were a number of presentations from the research project partners outlining the different aspects of the research consortium. During the summer school I met many researchers which has led to me being able to find my external PhD viva panel member. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/764089/results |
| Description | Expert Workshop on the Potential of Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) routes for biofuel production (Brussels, Belgium 19.11.2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I attended this one-day expert workshop hosted by five European Horizon 2020 projects (Heat to Fuel, Nextgen roadfuels, 4refinery, HyFlexFuel and Waste2Road) along with the Norwegian National Centre Bio4Fuels. The aim and purpose of the workshop was to create a working arena for stakeholders from science and industry working on implementation and commercialisation of HTL to join forces for market penetration. My attendance at this seminar was in order to engage with specialists in the field of liquefaction and learn about the future of this process and how it may play a part in the global bioenergy/energy from waste sector. I took part in a discussion around problems with biofuel specifications and standardisation of these waste/biomass derived fuels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Experts' discussion during the EU Horizon 2020 workshop on "Potential of Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) routes for biofuel production" (Brussels, 19.11.2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This experts' workshop was co-organized by five European H2020 projects and a Norwegian Center for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME). This workshop was attended by almost 100 participants attended from industry, SMEs, EC, research organisations, universities, and R&D organisations. I contributed to the experts' discussion on ways and willingness of co-operation between academia and industry to identify challenges and bottlenecks impeding commercialisation of biomass derived bio-fuels. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | http://www.nextgenroadfuels.eu/2019/11/19/nextgenroadfuels-at-the-expert-workshop-potential-of-hydro... |
| Description | Presentation at the 27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition; Lisbon, Portugal, 27-30.05.2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Scientific presentation of the research outputs from this project titled: An investigation into macromolecular reaction pathways in the hydrothermal treatment of microalgal model compounds. This presentation received very positive feedback from audience (dedicated thematic session on HTL) with approx - 60-75 researcher and initiated discussion on application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods in characterisation of bio-crudes derived from the hydrothermal liquefaction processes of algae and microalgal model components. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.eubce.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/EUBCE-2019-Visual.pdf |
| Description | Pyrolysis Seminar 2019 organised by Analytix Ltd (Boldon, UK 28.06.2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I attended this one-day sample preparation seminar hosted by Analytix Ltd and supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry (Poster competition). I had the opportunity to attend a series of presentations from industrial experts and academia on the latest analytical pyrolysis applications. My attendance at this seminar was in order to engage with specialists in the field of analytical pyrolysis and learn about Application of Py-GC-MS for analysis of thermal decomposition products. I presented a poster as part of the RSC sponsored prize poster session titled 'Application of Py-GC-MS for analysis of thermal decomposition products from algae'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Research collaboration workshop: Next generation of bioenergy solutions (Aston University, UK 13.09.2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This workshop was organised by my research team, with attendance of approximately 40 people from academia and industry. This collaborative research workshop was organised by Aston University and Muscat University as a part of collaborative project sponsored by the British Council under the Gulf Science Innovation and Knowledge Economy (GSIKE) programme. During the workshop I had an opportunity for active interation with practitioners researching thermochemical conversion of biomass and waste feedstock. I delivered a presentation based around my PhD research area on biofuels derived from microalgae. I received very good questions and positive feedback, especially from the international attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/next-generation-of-bioenergy-solutions-research-collaboration-worksho... |