(413b) Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Unhydrolyzed Solids for Fuels and Value-Added Products

Integrated biorefineries utilizing lignocellulosic biomass feedstock for fuel production will require additional revenue generation from the derived waste streams to demonstrate technoeconomic feasibility. One of the ways of revenue generation will be the efficient valorization of waste streams for the production of value added products. To understand technoeconomic feasibility of integrated bioprocessing, we investigated hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of unhydrolyzed solids (UHS) derived from some preprocessing of a lignocellulosic biomass and subsequent valorization of biocrude waste streams at a laboratory scale. Both solid and liquid side products were selectively enriched and their yields were taken into account to estimate revenue generation. A scale-up of the envisioned pilot scale integrated bioprocessing plant, and preliminary process and cost analysis were performed. Biomass processing steps, energy and mass balances, energy recovery, waste stream valorization, and initial assessment of technoeconomic feasibility will be presented.