This study investigated
the optimum operating conditions on hydrothermal
liquefaction (HTL) for the production of biocrude oil from an animal
carcass. HTL experiments were carried out at various reaction temperatures
(230–350 °C), residence times (10–80 min), solid
concentrations (5–20 wt %), and pressures (15–30 MPa).
Detailed chemical composition analysis of biocrude oil was performed
by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopic analysis, and element analysis. The results
showed that the biocrude oil was composed of fatty acids, hydrocarbons,
amides, esters, and N-heterocyclic compounds. The
maximum biocrude oil yield of 55.6 wt % was obtained at 320 °C
and 10 wt % solid concentration for a residence time of 60 min. Pressure
imparts little on the yield of biocrude oil. The higher heating value
of the biocrude oil ranging from 39.7 to 42.5 MJ kg–1 was comparable to that of petroleum crude (42.9 MJ kg–1). In addition, the general reaction pathways for HTL of an animal
carcass were proposed. The results of this study demonstrated that
HTL is a promising method for disposal of an animal carcass for the
production of biocrude oil.
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