Abstract
Conversion of residual algal biomass to value-added products is essential for enhancing the economics of algae cultivation. Algal hydrochar produced via hydrothermal carbonization of lipid-extracted Picochlorum oculatum is a material rich in oxygen functional groups and carbon (up to 67.3%) and hence a promising candidate for remediation of wastewaters. The hydrothermal carbonization conditions were optimized and the adsorption capacity of the hydrochar was tested for metal removal. By the end of the remediation process, cumulative removal of Al3+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Pb2+ reached 89, 98, 75, 88, 75, and 100%, respectively. The adsorption of all metals was found to follow pseudo second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm. Overall, when hydrothermal carbonization is applied to lipid-extracted algae, it generates a promising biobased adsorbent with value-added potential in metal remediation.
Highlights
Biomass for Production of HydrocharLipid-extracted algae (LEA) is the residual algal biomass obtained after extraction of valuable lipids, it is rich in carbohydrates and proteins [1]
To improve the economics of algae technologies for algal lipid-based biofuel production, LEA can be potentially upgraded to value-added products via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), which is a thermochemical process at moderate temperature
Lipid-extracted algae biomass was converted to hydrochar with promising metal adsorption properties using hydrothermal carbonization, which is less energy-intensive than pyrolysis
Summary
Lipid-extracted algae (LEA) is the residual algal biomass obtained after extraction of valuable lipids, it is rich in carbohydrates and proteins [1]. LEA is a by-product of the algae industry with a mass of three times the mass of algal lipids recovered for biodiesel production [1]. To improve the economics of algae technologies for algal lipid-based biofuel production, LEA can be potentially upgraded to value-added products via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), which is a thermochemical process at moderate temperature (180–250 ◦ C) and pressure (2–10 MPa) [2]. The advantage of LEA is that it will be readily available in the bioeconomy of the future as a byproduct in large volumes at algae biorefineries designed to produce biofuels from algal lipids
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