University of Kansas algal biomass process yields higher proportions of biochar

In Kansas, University of Kansas has tested a hydtrothermal liquefaction integrated wastewater algea-to-biocrude process for cultivating algal biomass. The study influenced liquefaction product distribution to yield a higher proportion of biochar, a valuable co-product. “HTL uses subcritical water as the chemical driving force to convert biomass to a carbon-rich biocrude. Using microalgal feedstocks, biocrude yields from HTL processing are 5−30 per cent greater than the initial algae lipid content because other cellular components (beyond only lipids) are converted to biocrude,” described the study.

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