The use of fossil fuels is associated with significant environmental consequences including the emission of greenhouse gases and the contamination of water resources. In this sense, innovative strategies have been developed to promote renewable energy solutions aligned with the principles of the circular economy. My research area and PhD project explore the production of microalgae-based biofuels using domestic wastewater as a feedstock. The biomass is converted into liquid biofuels through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), a process that offers a key advantage by eliminating the need for a drying step of the biomass, thereby reducing energy consumption and operational costs. However, the quality of the resulting bio-oil is influenced by its nitrogen content, as elevated nitrogen levels contribute to NOx emissions and compromise fuel stability. To overcome this challenge, the project also focuses on selecting specific microalgae strains and investigates nitrogen accumulation within their cellular structure. Additionally, the application of heterogeneous catalysts to facilitate the removal of nitrogen and oxygen compounds from the biofuel is also evaluated. The findings of this research highlight the importance of optimizing both microalgae strain selection and cultivation conditions to outline bio-oil properties, as well as the use of appropriate catalytic hydrothermal processes for enhancing fuel quality.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4931-9672

Email: brunathomazinho@gmail.com