(2019) Journal of CO₂ Utilization_Catalytic pyrolysis of brown algae using carbon dioxide and oyster shell

Choi D., Nam I.-H., Park Y.-K., Ok Y.S., Lee J., Kwon E.E.

(Elsevier Ltd) Journal of CO2 Utilization ISSN: 22129820 Vol.34 Issue. Article No. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2019.08.023

In this work, the pyrolysis of brown algae (Saccharina japonica (S. japonica)) was investigated to recover energy as a form of syngas (H₂ and CO). For this, this work emphasizes the use of CO₂ as a pyrolysis medium and oyster shell as a catalytic material in the pyrolysis of S. japonica. Pyrogenic products generated from the catalytic pyrolysis of S. japonica in N₂ and CO₂ were characterized. In particular, the enhanced generation of CO was substantial at 720 °C. This enhanced generation of CO was most likely because of the enhanced thermal cracking of volatile matter that evolved during the catalytic pyrolysis of S. japonica. The enhanced CO generation was likely catalytically expedited by biogenic salts such as calcite (CaCO₃) in the oyster shell. The introduced approach for exploiting CO₂ in the catalytic pyrolysis could be a more sustainable option to treat algal biomass such as brown algae and develop an effective waste-to-energy strategy. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study was supported by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) Basic Research Project (No. 19-3413).