Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications
Open Access
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2090-4541
+44 1300 500008
Taimur Akhtar and Souman Rudra
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Fundam Renewable Energy Appl
The recovery of biocrude from biomass is gaining interest because of its potential use in the sector of renewable energy
systems. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is one of the perspective technologies to utilize biomass for biofuel production.
In this paper a comprehensive Aspen Plus modelling study was carried out for algal biomass and hydrothermal liquefaction
reactor. The primary goal was to develop simplified simulation model for hydrothermal biomass liquefaction. Predictive
Soave-Redlich-Kwong (PSRK) equation of state, Unifac model and Yield reactor block were chosen based on a thorough
study of a suitable modelling approach. Process simulation was performed based on data from literature and laboratory scale
experiments. Simulation results show 1kgs−1 algal biomass generates 0.45-0.62 kgs−1 bio-oil, 0.22-0.07 kgs−1 gas and 0.12-0.26
kgs−1 solids. A comparative study of simulated results and available experimental data has also been done which shows good
agreement with energy conversion efficiency and heating values. This model can also be used for other potential biomass
feedstocks to predict the biocrude compositions at various operating condition such as temperature, pressure, residence time
and water-to-biomass feed ratio.