Characterization and Analysis of Malaysian Macroalgae Biomass as Potential Feedstock for Bio-Oil Production

Mei Yin Ong, Nor-Insyirah Syahira Abdul Latif, Hui Yi Leong, Bello Salman, Pau Loke Show and Saifuddin Nomanbhay
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Mei Yin Ong: Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
Nor-Insyirah Syahira Abdul Latif: Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
Hui Yi Leong: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Bello Salman: Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
Pau Loke Show: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Saifuddin Nomanbhay: Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Jalan Ikram-UNITEN, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: The potential of Caulerpa lentillifera , Gracilaria coronopifolia and Chaetomorpha linum , as biomass feedstock was investigated in this study. It was concluded that seaweed is more suitable for bio-based products synthesis, i.e., bioplastic and bio-lubricants, instead of biofuels due to its relatively low calorific value (~12 MJ/kg). Since seaweed has high moisture content (~80%), hydrothermal liquefaction is recommended, and its efficiency can be further enhanced through microwave technology. Besides, it is found that the thermal degradation of seaweed was best described with the reaction order of 1. The kinetic results also indicated that seaweed consists of lower activation energy (<30 kJ/mol) in comparison with terrestrial biomass (50–170 kJ/mol). Hence, seaweed has a high potential to be used as biomass feedstock, particularly Chaetomorpha linum , as it has no conflict with other interests. Lastly, acetic-acid pre-treatment was suggested to be an optional process in order to increase the algal conversion efficiency as it can reduce up to 25% of ash content.

Keywords: Caulerpa lentillifera; Gracilaria coronopifolia; Chaetomorpha linum; kinetic analysis; calorific value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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