Thermo-catalytic upgrading of algae and utilization of low-value aqueous products as algae growth media 

Algae are a rapidly growing, renewable biomass source rich in lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, offering potential for biofuel and platform chemical production. Traditional bio-oil extraction often requires energy-intensive drying and solvent steps, which produce waste and limit economic viability. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can directly convert wet algae into bio-oil without drying, but the resulting product has high nitrogen and oxygen levels that reduce fuel quality. Additionally, HTL generates aqueous byproducts that are usually discarded, despite being nutrient-rich composition.

• HTL optimization: Screen diverse algae strains and solvents to maximize bio-oil yield and identify high-value chemical fractions (furans, phenols, acids).
• Compositional mapping: Correlate algae biochemical profiles with HTL yields and product composition using advanced analytics (GC×GC, FT-ICR MS, NMR) and statistical modeling.
• Catalyst development: Synthesize and characterize phosphide catalysts on zeolite supports; screen these catalysts in hydrodenitrification, then validate the best-performing catalyst in continuous operation.
• Circularity demonstration: Characterize HTL aqueous products, optimize dilution for local algae growth in photobioreactors, and track nutrient removal and biomass yield.