Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL)

Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) is a thermochemical conversion process that transforms wet biomass into a bio-crude oil through decomposition in hot, pressurized water. Operating at temperatures typically between 250–374 °C and pressures of 10–25 MPa, HTL mimics the natural geological processes that produce fossil fuels but accelerates them to a matter of hours. The resulting bio-crude can be further upgraded into transportation fuels, while aqueous and solid byproducts may be treated or valorized. HTL is particularly suitable for processing high-moisture feedstocks like algae, sewage sludge, or food waste, offering a promising pathway for renewable fuel production and organic waste management.