IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v102y2013icp24-31.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Characterization of microalga Chlorella as a fuel and its thermogravimetric behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Rizzo, Andrea Maria
  • Prussi, Matteo
  • Bettucci, Lorenzo
  • Libelli, Ilaria Marsili
  • Chiaramonti, David

Abstract

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms living in marine or freshwater environment. In this study, samples of Chlorella spp. and Nannochloropsis from two different origins were analysed to settle a preliminary characterization of these microorganisms as intermediate energy carriers and their properties compared to a conventional lignocellulosic feedstock (pine chips). Both microalgae samples were characterized in terms of elemental composition (CHONS and P) and thermogravimetric behavior. This was investigated through non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen atmosphere at heating rate of 15°Cmin−1 and temperature up to 800°C. Solid residues produced at 300°C and 800°C from TGA were also analysed to determine the ultimate composition of chars. Activation energy, reaction order and pre-exponential factor were calculated for the single step conversion mechanism of 1g of Chlorella spp. and compared to literature data on Chlorella protothecoides and Spirulina platensis. Calculated kinetic parameters, given as intervals of several determinations, resulted to be: pre-exponential factor (A) 1.47–1.62E6min−1, activation energy (E) 7.13–7.92E4Jmol−1, reaction order (n) 1.69–2.41. 1.2kg of Chlorella spp. was then processed in a newly designed batch pyrolysis pilot reactor, capable of converting up to 1.5kgh−1 of material, and pyrolysis liquid collected, analysed and compared with a sample of fast pyrolysis from pine chips. This preliminary investigation aimed at carrying out a first characterization of algae oil and optimise the operational aspects of the reactor, tested with the first time with this unconventional feedstock. The algae pyrolysis oil exhibited superior properties as intermediate energy carrier compared to pyrolysis oil from fast pyrolysis of pine chips, in particular higher HHV and carbon content and lower oxygen and water content. These data can potentially be used in the design and modelling of thermochemical conversion processes of microalgae.

Suggested Citation

  • Rizzo, Andrea Maria & Prussi, Matteo & Bettucci, Lorenzo & Libelli, Ilaria Marsili & Chiaramonti, David, 2013. "Characterization of microalga Chlorella as a fuel and its thermogravimetric behavior," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 24-31.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:102:y:2013:i:c:p:24-31
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.08.039
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261912006137
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.08.039?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brennan, Liam & Owende, Philip, 2010. "Biofuels from microalgae--A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 557-577, February.
    2. Chen, Chunxiang & Ma, Xiaoqian & Liu, Kai, 2011. "Thermogravimetric analysis of microalgae combustion under different oxygen supply concentrations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(9), pages 3189-3196.
    3. Phukan, Mayur M. & Chutia, Rahul S. & Konwar, B.K. & Kataki, R., 2011. "Microalgae Chlorella as a potential bio-energy feedstock," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3307-3312.
    4. Ahmad, A.L. & Yasin, N.H. Mat & Derek, C.J.C. & Lim, J.K., 2011. "Microalgae as a sustainable energy source for biodiesel production: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 584-593, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Singh, Shuchi & Khanna, Swati & Moholkar, Vijayanand S. & Goyal, Arun, 2014. "Screening and optimization of pretreatments for Parthenium hysterophorus as feedstock for alcoholic biofuels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 195-206.
    2. Giostri, A. & Binotti, M. & Macchi, E., 2016. "Microalgae cofiring in coal power plants: Innovative system layout and energy analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 449-464.
    3. Shrasti Vasistha & Anwesha Khanra & Monika Prakash Rai & Shakeel Ahmad Khan & Zengling Ma & Heli Siti Halimatul Munawaroh & Doris Ying Ying Tang & Pau Loke Show, 2023. "Exploring the Pivotal Significance of Microalgae-Derived Sustainable Lipid Production: A Critical Review of Green Bioenergy Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-27, January.
    4. Shih-Wei Yen & Wei-Hsin Chen & Jo-Shu Chang & Chun-Fong Eng & Salman Raza Naqvi & Pau Loke Show, 2021. "Torrefaction Thermogravimetric Analysis and Kinetics of Sorghum Distilled Residue for Sustainable Fuel Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Azizi, Kolsoom & Keshavarz Moraveji, Mostafa & Abedini Najafabadi, Hamed, 2018. "A review on bio-fuel production from microalgal biomass by using pyrolysis method," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3046-3059.
    6. Aniza, Ria & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Yu-Ying & Tran, Khanh-Quang & Chang, Jo-Shu & Lam, Su Shiung & Park, Young-Kwon & Kwon, Eilhann E. & Tabatabaei, Meisam, 2021. "Independent parallel pyrolysis kinetics of extracted proteins and lipids as well as model carbohydrates in microalgae," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    7. López-González, D. & Fernandez-Lopez, M. & Valverde, J.L. & Sanchez-Silva, L., 2014. "Kinetic analysis and thermal characterization of the microalgae combustion process by thermal analysis coupled to mass spectrometry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 227-237.
    8. López-González, D. & Fernandez-Lopez, M. & Valverde, J.L. & Sanchez-Silva, L., 2014. "Pyrolysis of three different types of microalgae: Kinetic and evolved gas analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 33-43.
    9. Marwa G. Saad & Noura S. Dosoky & Mohamed S. Zoromba & Hesham M. Shafik, 2019. "Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, May.
    10. Arif, Muhammad & Li, Yuxi & El-Dalatony, Marwa M. & Zhang, Chunjiang & Li, Xiangkai & Salama, El-Sayed, 2021. "A complete characterization of microalgal biomass through FTIR/TGA/CHNS analysis: An approach for biofuel generation and nutrients removal," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1973-1982.
    11. Chiaramonti, David & Prussi, Matteo & Buffi, Marco & Rizzo, Andrea Maria & Pari, Luigi, 2017. "Review and experimental study on pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae for biofuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 963-972.
    12. Aziz, Muhammad & Oda, Takuya & Kashiwagi, Takao, 2014. "Integration of energy-efficient drying in microalgae utilization based on enhanced process integration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 307-316.
    13. Watanabe, Hideo & Li, Dalin & Nakagawa, Yoshinao & Tomishige, Keiichi & Kaya, Kunimitsu & Watanabe, Makoto M., 2014. "Characterization of oil-extracted residue biomass of Botryococcus braunii as a biofuel feedstock and its pyrolytic behavior," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 475-484.
    14. Chowdhury, Raja & Freire, Fausto, 2015. "Bioenergy production from algae using dairy manure as a nutrient source: Life cycle energy and greenhouse gas emission analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 1112-1121.
    15. Tungal, Richa & Shende, Rajesh V., 2014. "Hydrothermal liquefaction of pinewood (Pinus ponderosa) for H2, biocrude and bio-oil generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 401-412.
    16. Ferreira, A.F. & Soares Dias, A.P. & Silva, C.M. & Costa, M., 2015. "Evaluation of thermochemical properties of raw and extracted microalgae," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(P3), pages 365-372.
    17. Chen, Yun-Chun & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Bo-Jhih & Chang, Jo-Shu & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2016. "Impact of torrefaction on the composition, structure and reactivity of a microalga residue," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 110-119.
    18. Escalante, Jamin & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Tabatabaei, Meisam & Hoang, Anh Tuan & Kwon, Eilhann E. & Andrew Lin, Kun-Yi & Saravanakumar, Ayyadurai, 2022. "Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic, algal, plastic, and other biomass wastes for biofuel production and circular bioeconomy: A review of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Singh, Bhaskar & Guldhe, Abhishek & Rawat, Ismail & Bux, Faizal, 2014. "Towards a sustainable approach for development of biodiesel from plant and microalgae," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 216-245.
    2. Shah, Syed Hasnain & Raja, Iftikhar Ahmed & Rizwan, Muhammad & Rashid, Naim & Mahmood, Qaisar & Shah, Fayyaz Ali & Pervez, Arshid, 2018. "Potential of microalgal biodiesel production and its sustainability perspectives in Pakistan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 76-92.
    3. Cuevas-Castillo, Gabriela A. & Navarro-Pineda, Freddy S. & Baz Rodríguez, Sergio A. & Sacramento Rivero, Julio C., 2020. "Advances on the processing of microalgal biomass for energy-driven biorefineries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    4. Raheem, Abdul & Wan Azlina, W.A.K.G. & Taufiq Yap, Y.H. & Danquah, Michael K. & Harun, Razif, 2015. "Thermochemical conversion of microalgal biomass for biofuel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 990-999.
    5. Bharathiraja, B. & Chakravarthy, M. & Ranjith Kumar, R. & Yogendran, D. & Yuvaraj, D. & Jayamuthunagai, J. & Praveen Kumar, R. & Palani, S., 2015. "Aquatic biomass (algae) as a future feed stock for bio-refineries: A review on cultivation, processing and products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 634-653.
    6. Nirmala, N. & Dawn, S.S., 2021. "Optimization of Chlorella variabilis. MK039712.1 lipid transesterification using Response Surface Methodology and analytical characterization of biodiesel," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 1663-1673.
    7. Venu, Harish & Raju, V. Dhana & Subramani, Lingesan & Appavu, Prabhu, 2020. "Experimental assessment on the regulated and unregulated emissions of DI diesel engine fuelled with Chlorella emersonii methyl ester (CEME)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 88-102.
    8. Chadwick, Dara T. & McDonnell, Kevin P. & Brennan, Liam P. & Fagan, Colette C. & Everard, Colm D., 2014. "Evaluation of infrared techniques for the assessment of biomass and biofuel quality parameters and conversion technology processes: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 672-681.
    9. Lin, Kuang C. & Lin, Yuan-Chung & Hsiao, Yi-Hsing, 2014. "Microwave plasma studies of Spirulina algae pyrolysis with relevance to hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 567-574.
    10. Gan, Peck Yean & Li, Zhi Dong, 2014. "Econometric study on Malaysia׳s palm oil position in the world market to 2035," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 740-747.
    11. Muhammad Hanafi Azami & Mark Savill, 2017. "Pulse Detonation Assessment for Alternative Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-19, March.
    12. Giostri, A. & Binotti, M. & Macchi, E., 2016. "Microalgae cofiring in coal power plants: Innovative system layout and energy analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 449-464.
    13. Ankita Juneja & Ruben Michael Ceballos & Ganti S. Murthy, 2013. "Effects of Environmental Factors and Nutrient Availability on the Biochemical Composition of Algae for Biofuels Production: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-32, September.
    14. Enamala, Manoj Kumar & Enamala, Swapnika & Chavali, Murthy & Donepudi, Jagadish & Yadavalli, Rajasri & Kolapalli, Bhulakshmi & Aradhyula, Tirumala Vasu & Velpuri, Jeevitha & Kuppam, Chandrasekhar, 2018. "Production of biofuels from microalgae - A review on cultivation, harvesting, lipid extraction, and numerous applications of microalgae," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 49-68.
    15. Tariq, Muhammad & Ali, Saqib & Khalid, Nasir, 2012. "Activity of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, spectroscopic and chromatographic characterization of biodiesel: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 6303-6316.
    16. Doshi, Amar & Pascoe, Sean & Coglan, Louisa & Rainey, Thomas J., 2016. "Economic and policy issues in the production of algae-based biofuels: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 329-337.
    17. Sirajunnisa, Abdul Razack & Surendhiran, Duraiarasan, 2016. "Algae – A quintessential and positive resource of bioethanol production: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 248-267.
    18. Pragya, Namita & Pandey, Krishan K., 2016. "Life cycle assessment of green diesel production from microalgae," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 623-632.
    19. Safi, Carl & Zebib, Bachar & Merah, Othmane & Pontalier, Pierre-Yves & Vaca-Garcia, Carlos, 2014. "Morphology, composition, production, processing and applications of Chlorella vulgaris: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 265-278.
    20. Azad, A.K. & Rasul, M.G. & Khan, M.M.K. & Sharma, Subhash C. & Hazrat, M.A., 2015. "Prospect of biofuels as an alternative transport fuel in Australia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 331-351.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:102:y:2013:i:c:p:24-31. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.