PNNL

Abstract

A simple approach to desalt biocrudes derived from hydrothermal liquefaction of food waste is explored. Specific efforts were directed toward reducing the inorganic salt and water content of biocrudes such that hydrotreater catalyst lifetimes can be extended. It was found that by using aqueous solutions of formic acid in a wash step, the content of inorganic salts could be significantly reduced in the biocrude while yielding a significantly dewatered biocrude. Our results suggest that washed biocrudes can be hydrotreated under mild conditions with good catalyst performance and reduced hydrogen consumption, resulting in improved quality of hydrotreated biocrudes.