(536a) Optimization of Biocrude Yield and Generated Wastewater Biodegradability in Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Corn Stover

Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) can be one of the potential thermochemical approaches to produce biofuels and bioproducts because it does not require dewatering or drying and is able to use a wide variety of organic materials as feedstocks. In addition to biocrude and biochar, HTL also generates wastewater which may include toxic compounds. Therefore, we not only aim at the production of high quality cost-effective biocrude but also consider the HTL wastewater biodegradability. Biological treatment can be a less expensive option than other approaches, such as activated carbon and chemical treatment. The current research includes two objectives: 1) investigate the relationship among HTL operating conditions, the biocrude yields/properties and the characteristics of HTL wastewater to predict the wastewater biodegradability by using statistical analysis; and 2) optimize the biocrude yields/properties and HTL wastewater biodegradability.

The current study is focused on optimizing HTL of corn stover in the temperature range of 250 – 350 °C and reaction time of 1 – 60 min. The generated HTL wastewater will be used to cultivate three different fungal strains including Aspergillus niger strain NRRL 2001, Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain BKM-F-1767, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa to evaluate the HTL wastewater biodegradability.