Preparation and characteristics of bio-oil from the marine brown alga Sargassum patens C. Agardh

► Sargassum patens C. Agardh was converted to bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction. ► A modified reactor was used for accurate reaction time. ► A maximum yield of 32.1±0.2wt.% bio-oil was obtained. ► The higher heating value of the bio-oil was 27.1MJ/kg. The marine brown alga, Sargassum patens C. Agardh, floating on the Yellow Sea, was collected and converted to bio-oil through hydrothermal liquefaction with a modified reactor. A maximum yield of 32.1±0.2wt.% bio-oil was obtained after 15min at 340°C, at a feedstock concentration of 15g biomass/150ml water, without using a catalyst. The bio-oil had a heating value of 27.1MJ/kg and contained water, lipid, alcohol, phenol, esters, ethers and aromatic compounds. The solid residue obtained had a high ash and oxygen content. The results suggest that S. patens C. Agardh has potential as biomass feedstock for fuel and chemical products.