Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of biocrude from hydrothermal liquefaction: focus on palmitic acid as model compound

This work tackles a feasibility analysis on the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of palmitic acid as model compound for the interested hydrothermal liquefaction's (HTL) biocrude. It represents an upgrading study in order to produce high quality bio-oil or even biofuels. The aim was to confirm the possibility to attack this very unreactive molecule electrochemically, performing the target reaction of hydrogenation in lab-scale systems. Furthermore, also a qualitative analysis on the product and on the possible reaction scheme has been done. Due to the lack of literature, further study must be done in order to confirm exactly the reaction pathways and the specific products, as well as to investigate the kinetics and the efficient parameters of the reaction. HTL is a promising process for the treatment of wet biomass without costly and energy expensive pre-treatments. The derived biocrude is an important source of energy. On the other hand, electrocatalytic processes for bio-based chemicals upgrading rely on a very high energy efficiency and a good versatility in term of space, cost and easy implementation, as well as low impacts due to the possible integration with delocalised renewables energy sources. The aim of this study was born with the necessity to integrate these two processes in order to have a feasible and cost-effective processes for the direct production of biofuels.