Comparative studies of thermochemical liquefaction characteristics of microalgae using different organic solvents

Xingzhong Yuan, Jingyu Wang, Guangming Zeng, Huajun Huang, Xiaokai Pei, Hui Li, Zhifeng Liu and Minghui Cong

Energy, 2011, vol. 36, issue 11, 6406-6412

Abstract: The effect of different organic solvents, such as methanol, ethanol and 1,4-dioxane, on thermochemical liquefaction characteristics of Spirulina (a kind of high-protein microalgae) was systematically studied. The liquefaction experiments were conducted in a 1000 mL autoclave at different temperatures from 573 to 653 K with a fixed solid/liquid ratio. Liquefaction of Spirulina processed in methanol and ethanol favored the conversion rate and bio-oil yield compared with that in 1,4-dioxane solvent. The bio-oil generated in methanol contained higher C and H concentrations but a lower O content, resulting in a higher caloric value (39.83 MJ/kg). The results of FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and GC–MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectroscopy) analyses indicated that the compositions of bio-oil products were greatly affected by the type of solvent used for the liquefaction process. The major component of bio-oil produced with methanol was hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (C17H34O2, 35.53%). However, ethanol favored the formation of hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester (C18H36O2, 26.27%). When Spirulina were operated with 1,4-dioxane, the bio-oil was dominated by hexadecanenitrile (C16H31N, 22.7%). The presence of methanol and ethanol might promote the formation of esters. Low-boiling-points compounds with phenol ring structure or heterocyclics can be generated when 1,4-dioxane was employed as solvent.

Keywords: Organic solvent; Microalgae; Sub- and supercritical liquefaction; Bio-oil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (30)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:36:y:2011:i:11:p:6406-6412

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.09.031

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