HYDROTHERMAL LIQUEFACTION OF RAW AND LIPID-EXTRACTED MICROALGAE WITH ASSIST OF PULSED ELECTRIC FIELD PRETREATMENT

Microalgae based biofuel is expected to offer new alternatives for renewable energy source. In this study, the effect of pulsed electric field pretreatment (PEF) on microalgae lipid extraction and its further hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) behavior has been investigated. The samples are defined as No PEF treated algae, PEF treated algae, No PEF treated lipid extracted algae, PEF treated lipid extracted algae, all the samples areconverted via HTL process, at temperature 350 degrees C for 15 min holding time. The extraction and liquefaction product yield, biocrude elemental composition and high heating value are compared and discussed. Results indicate that PEF has no direct influence on microalgae HTL, while it shows remarkable improvement on lipid extraction yield. The similar result is expected for the protein extraction, and the residue after extraction (especially protein extracted) might be a promising feedstock for high quality (less nitrogen and oxygen content) biocrude.