Paper details

Title:

Pyrolytic Characteristics of Chlorella Vulgaris and Bio-Oil Production by Pilot Scale Intermediate Pyrolysis

Author(s):

Phusunti, N., Hornung, A.

Document(s):

Abstract:

The pyrolytic characteristics of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae were investigated at heating rates of 5, 10 and 20 °C/min up to 800 °C by Thermogravimetic­Mass Spectrometry (TG­MS). The results indicated that three stages which were dehydration, devolatilization and residual decomposition appeared during pyrolysis. The main pyrolysis reaction took place in the range of 200­550 °C. The volatile evolution from pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris showed that water and hydrocarbons were the main products at the devolatilization temperature region and carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide were the main products at the high temperature region. The organic phase of pyrolytic oil produced by intermediate pilot scale pyrolysis reactor at 500 °C were found that they had a low moisture content (3.25%) and a higher calorific value (37.42 MJ/kg) but a higher nitrogen content comparing to woody bio­oil or even rape bio­oil. Gas Chromatography­Mass Spectrometry (GC­MS) identified several nitrogen­containing compounds, while toluene was the most abundant compound. These preliminary properties suggest that Chlorella vulgaris can be pyrolyzed to produce comparable bio­oils for fuel production in respect to the heating value although upgrading to reduce the nitrogen content would be desirable.

Keywords:

microalgae, pyrolysis, pyrolysis oil, intermediate pyrolysis, pyroformer

Topic:

Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Electricity and Chemicals                  

Subtopic:

Pyrolysis for power, CHP, polygeneration and chemicals

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP2.5.5

Pages:

1633 - 1637

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP2.5.5

Price:

FREE