Design of a Batch Reactor for the Conversion of 500g Microalgae Biomass to Biocrude by Hydrothermal Liquefaction

Abstract

Biocrude is a viable renewable source of energy and its production is gaining more attention globally. This work entails design of a batch reactor for the conversion of 500? microalgae biomass to biocrude by hydrothermal liquefaction. The material and energy balances of the reactor were calculated and the percentage weights of the various products (biogas, biocrude, liquid phase and biochar) used for the design with a ratio of 4:1 for the solvent and microalgae biomass, were 5wt%, 50wt%, 30wt% and 15wt% respectively. The heat capacity of triglyceride used in the design, show that the maximum amount of energy required in the unit is 1096?. The reactor volume, height, wall thickness, thickness of the flat end and the thickness of the insulation material were designed as 4170??3, 240mm, 2.2??, 5.5mm and 2?? respectively. The reactor is designed to be operationally safe and economically viable, with a total cost of fabrication estimated at two hundred and fifty eight thousand, two hundred naira only (N208,200).

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