High Energy Biocrude from Water Hyacinth via Hydrothermal Liquefaction

The world is transitioning to bioenergy from biomass to reduce carbon dependence and address environmental challenges. This study demonstrates the potential of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to convert invasive water hyacinth biomass into renewable biofuel. Uniquely, this research comprehensively utilizes all plant components, roots, leaf stalks, and leaves, with particular emphasis on lipid-rich roots (18.25% lipid content), which have been largely overlooked in previous HTL studies. Water hyacinth underwent HTL at 300°C for 60 min using 10% solid loading, achieving 28.2% biocrude yield with a higher heating value of 33.02 MJ.kg-1, comparable to conventional petroleum. Elemental analysis confirmed biocrude’s renewable energy potential with 68.8% carbon and 9.1% hydrogen content. By-product biochar showed an HHV of 18.02 MJ/kg as well, suggesting that it can also be used for energy purposes. Large fractions of heavy fuel oils and a variety of functional groups (esters, alcohols, carboxylic acids) were detected by GC-MS and FTIR analysis, further confirming the feasibility of this technique. This study confirms that hydrothermal liquefaction of water hyacinth is an effective option for the reduction of this invasive species and a feedstock for renewable energy production.