Upgrading blends of microalgae feedstocks and heavy oils in supercritical water

Caniaz R. O., Simsek S., Arca S., Sarayloo E., Kavakli I. H., Erkey C.

JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS, vol.133, pp.674-682, 2018 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 133
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.supflu.2017.09.002
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.674-682
  • Bezmialem Vakıf University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Upgrading of bitumen blended with microalgae Chlorella vulgaris was investigated in supercritical water (SCW) at 440 degrees C and 30 MPa in a home-made batch type bomb reactor. The effects of the water/feed ratio ranging from 2 to 10 and the effects of microalgae fraction in the feeds ranging from 0 (pure bitumen) to 100 wt.% (pure microalgae) were investigated. Pyrolysis experiments in the absence of water were also performed at the same conditions. SCW was found to suppress the coke formation. 25 wt.% microalgae addition to bitumen increased VR conversion 20% with a considerable increase in gas content and diesel yield. Increasing microalgae fraction in the feed to 50 wt.% resulted in increased light liquid yields due to increasing conversion of VR and also led to undesired increases in coke and gas formation. Water/feed ratio of 10 led to increased gas yields with a lower VR conversion.