Catalyst Effect on Grout Composition of Microalgae Biomass Hydrothermal Liquefaction Products

Abstract

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of microalgae biomass over an aluminum oxide catalyst with an isomerization component in the neutral and sulfated forms was studied. Gas-chromatographic — mass-spectrometric analysis of the products led to conclusions about the effect of catalyst composition on the gasoline-fraction group composition of the processed bio-oil. The contents of isoalkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons increased whereas the concentrations of S-, 0-, and N-containing components decreased in the HTL products if a catalyst was used. The yield of water-soluble side products also decreased. Sulfated catalysts had greater effects than neutral catalysts on the group composition.