Converting kelp to fuel
Researchers employ catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction to convert wet sugar kelp to hydrocarbons that can be used as drop-in transportation fuels or high-value chemicals, and engage UW students through summer courses on kelp aquaculture and product development.
Fernando Resende, University of Texas at Tyler, Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering
Meg Chadsey, Washington Sea Grant
Jonathan Davis, Hood Canal Mariculture
Eli Wheat, University of Washington, Program on the Environment
Researchers explored the possibility of using kelp aquaculture to produce drop-in transportation fuels and high-value chemicals (hydrocarbons). They used catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction to maximize the production of hydrocarbons. Conventional processes require the kelp to be dried before being converted to biofuel, but this method uses wet kelp and therefore has lower energy demands. Researchers then conducted modeling to determine the economic and environmental feasibility of this process.
The team tested a variety of catalysts to understand how they affected product yields; explored the effects of variables such as temperature and algae-to-water ratio on product yield; and evaluated two approaches to increase the yield of hydrocarbons. The optimal conditions under which to perform hydrothermal liquefaction were determined, and economic modeling using these conditions shed light on the commercial viability of the method.