(2014) Biomass and Bioenergy_Energy recovery from microalgal biomass via enhanced thermo-chemical process

Kwon E.E., Yi H., Kwon H.-H.

(Elsevier Ltd) Biomass and Bioenergy ISSN: 9619534 Vol.63 Issue. Article No. DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.01.039

This work showed that microalgae having low lipid content has high potential for energy recovery via thermo-chemical processes. As an example, Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) was considered and tested. Specifically, this work verified that the growth rate of M. aeruginosa was extremely fast compared to other microalgae (as a factor of ~10). Moreover, this work investigated the CO₂ co-feed impact on thermo-chemical processes (pyrolysis/gasification) using M. aeruginosa. Introducing CO₂ in the thermo-chemical process as reaction media or feedstock can enhance the efficiency of thermo-chemical processes by expediting the cracking capability of condensable hydrocarbons (tar). The generation of CO was enhanced as a factor of ~2. Further generation of H₂ could be achieved in the presence of CO₂. Thus, utilizing CO₂ as reaction media or chemical feedstock can modify the end products into environmentally benign and desirable ones. The CO₂ co-feed impact on thermo-chemical processes with lingo-cellulosic biomass can be universally applied. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.