A method for the production of a bio-oil

A method for providing a demetallized bio-oil, comprising the steps of:

• a) starting with a biomass with a lignin content of from 0 to 40 wt %;
• b) adding a non-aqueous fluid;
• c) adding a base comprising potassium ions, thereby obtaining a mixture comprising the biomass, the base, and the non-aqueous fluid;
• d) subjecting the mixture comprising the biomass, the base, and the non-aqueous fluid to thermal treatment at a temperature of 100° C. to 320° C. to obtain a liquid comprising bio-oil;
• e) adding an acid to the liquid comprising bio-oil to precipitate salt, and optionally washing the precipitated salt;
• f) optionally adding one or more of water, an acid, a bio-oil, or a solvent, to the bio-oil of step e) to obtain a mixture;
• g) subjecting the liquid obtained in step e), or the mixture obtained in step f), to a temperature of from 10° C. to 320° C. to obtain a second mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a bio-oil;
• h) removing the aqueous phase from the second mixture to obtain a demetallized bio-oil;
• i) optionally repeating steps f)-h);
• and
• j) optionally subjecting the demetallized bio-oil to hydroprocessing;
• whereby the demetallized bio-oil obtained has a total metal content of less than 200 ppm and a total phosphorus content of less than 10 ppm.