Thermo-Catalytic Upgrading of Algae and Utilization of Low-Value Aqueous Products as Algae Growth Media

Algae are converted into fuels and chemicals through two thermo-catalytic steps: hydrothermal liquefaction of the wet biomass, followed by continuous catalytic hydrotreatment of the resulting bio-crude [100, 99]. The aqueous by-product is returned to the cultivation stage as a nutrient source, closing the water and nutrient loop.

• Link between algal composition and the products obtained [193]
• Molecular-level analysis of bio-oils and their upgraded products [186, 100]
• Kinetics and catalyst deactivation during hydrotreatment [95, 79, 63]
• Process integration toward TRL 4