Algal Biocrude as Drop-In Feedstock for Green Fuel and Green Chemicals

Abstract

Algal biocrude, derived through hydrothermal processing of algal biomass, is a drop-in feedstock and can be processed in the refining and petrochemical infrastructure developed for fossil crude. Algal biomass, the raw material for algal biocrude, has lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates as main constituents. It does not have lignin/cellulose. The presence of lignin/cellulose in non-algae biomass makes downstream processing difficult in the existing fossil-based infrastructure. Algal bio crude has the potential to be the source of biogenic feedstock, not only for making green fuel but also for making numerous chemicals. The research work on algae for food products and energy by fuel began as early as the 1940s. However, even after years of efforts, the algal technology for low-value, high-volume commodity products, such as fuel, is not yet commercialised mainly due to economic reasons. This chapter provides insight and a balanced perspective on commercialization of the algae-based pathways for green fuel and green chemicals.

Keywords: Biofuel, Commercialization, Drop-in biofuel, Microalgae, HTL, Scale-up.

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