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Comparative Thermogravimetric Assessment on the Combustion of Coal, Microalgae Biomass and Their Blend

Author

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  • Ricardo N. Coimbra

    (Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Carla Escapa

    (Department of Applied Chemistry and Physics, Institute of Environment, Natural Resources and Biodiversity (IMARENABIO), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain)

  • Marta Otero

    (Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

Abstract

In this work, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) were used to assess the combustion of microalgae biomass, a bituminous coal, and their blend. Furthermore, different correlations were tested for estimating the high heating value of microalgae biomass and coal, with both materials possessing similar values. TGA evidenced differences between the combustion of the studied fuels, but no relevant interaction occurred during their co-combustion, as shown by the DTG and DSC curves. These curves also indicated that the combustion of the blend mostly resembled that of coal in terms of weight loss and heat release. Moreover, non-isothermal kinetic analysis revealed that the apparent activation energies corresponding to the combustion of the blend and coal were quite close. Overall, the obtained results indicated that co-combustion with coal might be a feasible waste to energy management option for the valorization of microalgae biomass resulting from wastewater treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo N. Coimbra & Carla Escapa & Marta Otero, 2019. "Comparative Thermogravimetric Assessment on the Combustion of Coal, Microalgae Biomass and Their Blend," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-22, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:15:p:2962-:d:253671
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Elmalky, Adham M. & Araji, Mohamad T., 2024. "Optimization models for photosynthetic bioenergy generation in building façades," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).

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