Conversion of Residual Algal Biomass into Hydrochar

Date: Jan 6 2022

Application

• Heavy Metal Removal: Hydrochar produced from lipid-extracted algal biomass can effectively adsorb metal ions like zinc and copper from contaminated water, aiding in wastewater treatment.
• Sustainable Wastewater Cleanup: As a low-cost, biobased adsorbent, hydrochar offers an eco-friendly solution for removing contaminants from industrial effluents and polluted water sources.

Description

This project explores the conversion of lipid-extracted algal biomass (LEA) into hydrochar using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The process produces a carbon-rich material with high oxygen-containing functional groups, making it effective for removing heavy metals from contaminated water. Hydrochar derived from algae shows promise as a low-cost biobased adsorbent for wastewater cleanup, with optimal production conditions identified at 180°C and 15% solids loading. The study suggests potential applications in algal biorefineries for sustainable metal remediation.

 

 

Pathway Description:

The process used in this project is Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC), where lipid-extracted algal biomass (LEA) is subjected to high-temperature and high-pressure conditions (180–250°C and 2–10 MPa) in water. This process converts the algal biomass into hydrochar, a carbon-rich material with oxygen-containing functional groups. The hydrochar is then evaluated for its ability to adsorb metal ions from wastewater, particularly for heavy metal removal.