LAUSR

Abstract Bio-crude obtained from algae by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), is considered to be one of the major emerging fuel feedstocks and, as such, has drawn considerable attention from a number of researchers. However, its complex composition has stifled the development of this material in the effort to utilize it as a replacement for conventional petroleum transportation fuels. In addition, the high nitrogen content of the algal-based crude oil presents a high NO x emission risk during its combustion. Characterization of this crude product is important for defining the separation of the material and in defining its reactions in the areas of fuel production and denitrification. This work attempted to define the bio-crude using conventional petroleum industry metrics by replacing pseudo-components with real components. Specifically, the true boiling point (TBP) curve of the bio-crude oil was established using actual GC–MS results and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). This current combination of analyses represents an inconvenient method for defining the TBP of bio-crude oil. The approach entailed using commercial process simulators to interpret accumulative TGA results as a mass-based TBP curve data input. Then, instead of generating pseudo-components through built-in mathematical methods, typical (or specific) real components of the cascade TBPs were selected from the GC–MS results to form a discrete TBP curve. This new curve provided a component table that included typical, but limited, real components. A simulation of the distillation process was then conducted to characterize the composition of the bio-crude and the distribution of nitrogen in the distillate cuts. The diesel fraction in the simulated distillation of the bio-crude sample accounted for the largest fraction and the nitrogen content was evenly distributed between the fractions which were obtained by separation methods.