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

Problem statement

Algae represent a fast-growing, renewable biomass source with high lipid, protein, and carbohydrate content, offering potential for biofuel and platform chemical production. Conventional bio-oil extraction often involves energy-intensive drying and solvent steps, generating waste and limiting economic viability. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can directly convert wet algae into bio-oil without drying, but the resulting product contains high nitrogen and oxygen levels that degrade fuel quality. Additionally, HTL generates aqueous byproducts typically discarded, despite their nutrient-rich composition.

Goals

• 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.