Engineering Commons^™

Lifecycle Assessment Of Microalgae To Biofuel: Thermochemical Processing Through Hydrothermal Liquefaction Or Pyrolysis, Edward P. Bennion

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Microalgae have many desirable attributes as a renewable energy recourse. These include use of poor quality land, high yields, and it is not a food recourse. This research focusses on the energetic and environmental impact of processing microalgae into a renewable diesel. Two thermochemical bio-oil recovery processes are analyzed, pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). System boundaries include microalgae growth, dewatering, thermochemical bio-oil recovery, bio-oil stabilization, conversion to renewable diesel, and transportation to the pump. Two system models were developed, a small-scale experimental and an industrial-scale. The small-scale system model is based on experimental data and literature. The industrial-scale system model …