Paper details

Title:

Influence of Hydrothermal Treatment of Macro-Algae on Alkali Metal Content of Products

Author(s):

Anastasakis, K., Ross, A.B.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Macro­algae (seaweeds) are biomass from a marine environment that represents an alternative source of feedstock with potential advantages compared with traditional terrestrial biomass. They have faster growth rates, higher photosynthetic activity; they do not compete with food crops or require valuable land space for cultivation. Thermo­chemical processing of macro­algae pose two main drawbacks, firstly they have a high moisture content (usually about 90wt%) and secondly they contain very high levels of ash in particular alkali metals, leading to problems associated with slagging, fouling, erosion and corrosion. Hydrothermal treatment allows macro­algae to be processed without reducing their moisture content while the alkali metals in the resultant products are greatly reduced. The yields of bio­crude are relatively low for macro­algae however they contain a high heating value low in alkali metals. The char yields whilst they still contain high amounts of ash, the composition changes due to selective extraction of metals. In general, the majority of the Na and K pass into the water phase and the majority of Ca and Mg pass into the solid residue. Different fouling indexes have been used to compare the products from liquefaction to the original feedstock and predict a significant improvement in fouling behaviour.

Keywords:

biochar, fouling, liquefaction, macroalgae, biofuels

Topic:

Biomass Resources

Subtopic:

Algae assessment and conversion

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

OB10.3

Pages:

129 - 133

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OB10.3

Price:

FREE