This document summarizes a study on upgrading algae bio-oil through catalytic hydrotreatment using different reaction times and catalysts. The objectives were to examine how changing the reaction time and using mixed catalysts affects the product properties and refinement of biocrude. Methods included collecting samples from reactions of varying lengths, analyzing the liquid, solid, and gas portions, and measuring properties like water content, hydrogen sulfide levels, heating value. Preliminary results showed that a shorter 1 hour reaction time produced a product with lower water content, higher yield, and higher heating value compared to a 2 hour reaction.

1. Upgrading of Algae Bio-oil
Cassidy Laird
Dr. Sushil Adhikari

2.  Importance of biofuels
 Define upgrading
 Removal of heteroatoms
 Improve fuel properties
 Existing problems/bottlenecks
 Many throughout biofuel process
 Cost  looking at upgrading process details
 shorter time, different catalyst, etc.
Background
Image taken from: http://schoolworkhelper.net/biofuels-effect-on-social-economic-political-environmental/

3.  Main objective
 Examine aspects of upgrading the biocrude
 Specific objectives
 Changing the length of time spent in reactor
 Effects on product
 Mixed catalyst
 Possibly improve refinement
Research Objectives

4. Reduce
catalyst
Upgrade
biocrude
Analysis
 Collect samples (duplicates) of each length of time
 Separate and collect the products
 Analyze the liquid, solid and gas portions
Methods

5. Gas
H2S (GC)
GC
Solid
Weight
SEM/EDS
BET
Analysis
Liquid
Calorimetry
Total Acid
Number
Water
content
Simulated
Distillation
Analysis

6. Results
0.000
0.010
0.020
0.030
0.040
0.050
0.060
0.070
0.080
0.090
0.100
2 hr 1 hr
WaterContent(%)
Run
Water Content
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2 hr 1 hr
Yield(%)
Run
Product Yield of Refined Oil

7. Results
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
2 hr 1 hr
ConcentrationH2S(ppm)
Run
Hydrogen Sulfide content Residue – product, metal or sulfur
SEM image – Ni catalyst with residue from
hydrotreatment

8. Results
Baselines taken from: http://cta.ornl.gov/bedb/appendix_a/Lower_and_Higher_Heating_Values_of_Gas_Liquid_and_Solid_Fuels.pdf
40.0
41.0
42.0
43.0
44.0
45.0
46.0
47.0
48.0
2 hr 1 hr
HHV(MJ/kg)
Run
Higher Heating Value - Energy Measure
Natural Gas
US Diesel
Conventional Gasoline

9. July 27 - July 30
• Wrap up
experiments and
complete poster
July 20 - July
24
• Runs with Ni-Co,
Analysis, and
begin poster
July 13 – July 17
• Runs with Ni,
Analysis
July 6 - July 10
• 4 hour runs with
Nickel, Analysis
Time Schedule

10. Questions