Catalytic hydrothermal processing of microalgae: Decomposition and upgrading of lipids

► The use of heterogeneous catalysts during HTL of microalgae results in increased de-oxygenation. ► Triglycerides decompose to fatty acids and are hydrogenated under hydrothermal conditions. ► The use of a Ni/Al2O3 catalyst de-oxygenates the lipids to form alkanes and promotes gasification.