(427a) Net Zero and Negative Carbon Biofuels from Hydrothermal Liquefaction and Biocrude Upgrading

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a thermochemical pathway used to convert wet biomass to biocrude material which can be further upgraded to transportation fuel via hydrotreating process. HTL process is relatively simple and unique because it can process wet biomass feedstock without drying. Experimental data from the HTL and biocrude upgrading flow reactors at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory was used in base case study. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) were performed to identify process parameters significantly driving biofuel production cost and process carbon intensity. LCA results suggested that the biofuel produced from HTL and biocrude upgrading processes could be near net zero carbon fuel when waste organic feedstocks such as wastewater treatment sludge, animal manure and food waste were used. In addition, case studies of utilizing low carbon heat and power such as renewable resources were performed. Negative carbon fuel could be produced when renewable heat and electricity were applied. TEA also suggested that renewable heat could significantly increase the production cost. On the other hand, renewable electricity did not give a significant impact on the biofuel production cost.