NOTICE: this is the author's version of a work that was accepted for publication in Bioresource Technology resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Bioresource Technology, 2014; 170: 20-29 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. AbstractThe biomass of halophytic microalga Tetraselemis sp. with 16%w/w solids was converted into biocrude by a hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process in a batch reactor at different temperatures (310, 330, 350 and 370 o C) and reaction times (5, 15, 30, 45 and 60min). The biocrude yield, elemental composition, energy density and severity parameter obtained at various reaction conditions were used to predict the optimum condition for maximum recovery of biocrude with improved quality. This study clearly indicated that the operating condition for obtaining maximum biocrude yield and ideal quality biocrude for refining were different. A maximum biocrude yield of ~65wt% ash free dry weight (AFDW) was obtained at 350 o C and 5min, with a severity parameter and energy density of 5.21 and ~35MJ/kg, respectively. The treatment with 45min reaction time recorded 2 ~62wt% (AFDW) yield of biocrude with and energy density of ~39MJ/kg and higher severity parameter of 7.53.

The direct conversion of microalgae to advanced biofuels with hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is an attractive option which has drawn attention in recent years.

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