Room: Poster Area
Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 11:30 - 12:45 CEST
Session code 5CV.3
Hydrothermal processing
Recent Developments in Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Bio-oil Upgrading from Microalgal Feedstocks
Short Introductive summary
Recent advances in hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of biomass have positioned this thermochemical process as a promising route for sustainable production of bio-crudes compatible with existing petroleum refineries. HTL enables the direct conversion of wet biomass into energy-dense bio-oil under sub-critical water conditions (typically 250-374oC and 10-25 MPa), avoiding the need for prior drying and improving overall energy efficiency. However, the resulting bio-oil is characterized by high oxygen and nitrogen contents, chemical instability and poor volatility, which limits the direct application as fuel. Microalgae such as Spiruline, Chlorella, and Nanochloropsis are very promising raw materials for biofuel production given their composition and benefits. Nevertheless, microalgal biomass has high moisture content, as well as elevated nitrogen and oxygen levels, requiring the adoption of appropriate processing technologies with low energy requirements. Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) employs hydrogen at high pressure and temperature to remove heteroatoms from bio-oil, and is the most frequently used upgrading method.
Presenter
Alda J. RODRIGUES
CoLAB BIOREF, PORTUGAL
Biographies and Short introductive summaries are supplied directly by presenters and are published here unedited
Co-authors:
A. Rodrigues, Associação BIOREF- Laboratório Colaborativo para as Biorrefinarias, São Mamede de Infesta, PORTUGAL
M. Fernandes, Associação BIOREF- Laboratório Colaborativo para as Biorrefinarias, São Mamede de Infesta, PORTUGAL
J. Sandquist, SINTEF, Trondheim, NORWAY
F. Gírio, LNEG, Lisboa, PORTUGAL
P. Costa, LNEG, Lisboa, PORTUGAL
Session reference: 5CV.3.14