This paper begins with an introduction and review of current
literature, the HTL process and heat integration using CSP are discussed,
then we calculate costs of microalgae derived bio-crude
production from a 1-ha site using a 100 m long parabolic CSP
trough. Working methodology considers established CSP thermodynamics,
heat transfer, present day market prices and the mass
of engineering equipment and associated capital expenditure
(CAPEX). Finally, this theoretical forecast of a commercial operation
is compared to industrially functioning global electricity CSP
and evaluates how this new techno-economic analysis (TEA) can
make strides from being present-day theory to the development
of a new future scenario of commercially implemented technology.
The energetics of the HTL process are dominated by the energy
required to heat the reactor, 6.51 MJ (kg microalgae)1 [21]. Careful
consideration of the EROEI (Energy Returned on Energy
Invested) of HTL as a function of reaction temperature is required
[22]. A sensitivity analysis of base case parameters indicated that
modelled systems were particularly sensitive to the extent of heat
integration from HTL suggesting that optimisation of heat integration
is necessary for minimisation of lifecycle greenhouse gas
emissions [23]. HTL oil yields reported for higher temperatures
(>200 C) exceed the lipid content of the biomass, which