Fractional distillation of algae based hydrothermal liquefaction biocrude for co-processing: changes in the properties, storage stability, and miscibility with diesel

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) biocrude is a promising source of energy with potential for co-processing conventional fuels or as drop-in fuel. However, it needs upgrading to reduce heteroatoms (e.g., N, S, O), improve physical properties, stability, and miscibility hydrocarbons. Distillation method that has not been studied extensively using an industry-accepted procedure on large scale. In this study, algae-based was distilled into four fractions ASTM D2892 standard method: Fraction 1 (<100°C), 2 (100-175 °C), 3 (175-275 4 (275-350 °C). The column 15 theoretical stages, so realistic scale production. Algae-based rich in nitrogen sulphur content, which causes NOx SOx emissions contribute acid rain soot formation, poisons the catalysts. decreased content all by 18.1 – 91.0%, similar reduction (up 71.2%) oxygen 15.2%) also observed heavy fractions. Fractional distillation reduced viscosity density making fractionated fuel more diesel, increases applications either diesel engines. Stability tests ten weeks’ storage three different conditions (4 ?, 15-33 ? 43 ?) revealed distillate were far stable terms chemical structure, viscosity, higher heating value. Miscibility blending stability showed distillates mixture (DistMix) greatly improved due heteroatoms. addition, blend after one-month storage, assists co-processing.