LAUSR

Abstract Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of demineralized wastewater algal biomass was studied under different reaction temperatures (260–320 °C) and time (0–90 min). A moderate reaction condition (280 °C, 60 min) was found sufficient to produce the highest oil yield (~26% daf). Analysis of this oil showed a potential distillation recovery of 71% at 400 °C (mostly in the jet fuel to fuel oil range). All oils obtained have a comparable HHV (35.20–36.76 MJ/Kg) similar to tar (36 MJ/kg). GC–MS analysis showed that the oils derived are comparable, except at extreme reaction conditions (320 °C, 60 min) where a better fuel component in terms of hydrocarbons and N&O-heterocyclic compounds was achieved. The energy consumption ratio (ECR) of oils from demineralized biomass (0.37–0.45) is 80–120% lower compared to that of untreated biomass (ECR = 0.85) at 300 °C and 60 min.