The goal of the ChE MQP was to investigate the effectiveness of nickel based catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of food waste. Results show that oxide catalysts improve bio-oil yield, high heating values, and energy recovery; Ni/ZrO2 was the best catalyst reducing solids formation while producing a bio-oil with a HHV close to that of crude. Overall, catalytic hydrogenation is a promising technology for HTL and future studies on catalyst reusability and treatment of byproducts will be useful to determine if its economically feasible.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Fraga Alvarez, Daniela Valeska

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042419-143233

Advisor

• Timko, Michael T.

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright