Applying Macroalgal Biomass as an Energy Source: Utility of the Baltic Sea Beach Wrack for Thermochemical Conversion

Zane Vincevica-Gaile (), Varvara Sachpazidou, Valdis Bisters, Maris Klavins, Olga Anne, Inga Grinfelde, Emil Hanc, William Hogland, Muhammad Asim Ibrahim, Yahya Jani, Mait Kriipsalu, Divya Pal, Kaur-Mikk Pehme, Merrit Shanskiy, Egle Saaremäe, Jovita Pilecka-Ulcugaceva, Armands Celms, Vita Rudovica, Roy Hendroko Setyobudi, Magdalena Wdowin, Muhammad Zahoor, Hani Amir Aouissi, Andrey E. Krauklis, Ivar Zekker and Juris Burlakovs
Additional contact information
Zane Vincevica-Gaile: Department of Environmental Science, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
Varvara Sachpazidou: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Valdis Bisters: Department of Environmental Science, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
Maris Klavins: Department of Environmental Science, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
Olga Anne: Department of Engineering, Klaipeda University, LT-91225 Klaipeda, Lithuania
Inga Grinfelde: Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Emil Hanc: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-261 Krakow, Poland
William Hogland: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Muhammad Asim Ibrahim: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Yahya Jani: Division of Sustainable Environment and Construction, Mälardalen University, 722 20 Västerås, Sweden
Mait Kriipsalu: Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Divya Pal: Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Kaur-Mikk Pehme: Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Merrit Shanskiy: Chair of Soil Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Egle Saaremäe: Chair of Rural Building and Water Management, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
Jovita Pilecka-Ulcugaceva: Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Armands Celms: Department of Land Management and Geodesy, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Vita Rudovica: Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
Roy Hendroko Setyobudi: Waste Laboratory, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang 65114, Indonesia
Magdalena Wdowin: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-261 Krakow, Poland
Muhammad Zahoor: Department of Biochemistry, University of Malakand, Chakdara Dir Lowever 18800, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Hani Amir Aouissi: Scientific and Technical Research Centre on Arid Regions (CRSTRA), Biskra 07000, Algeria
Andrey E. Krauklis: Institute for Mechanics of Materials, University of Latvia, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
Ivar Zekker: Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
Juris Burlakovs: Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-261 Krakow, Poland

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Global resource limits and increasing demand for non-fossil energy sources have expanded the research on alternative fuels. Among them, algal biomass is designated as a third-generation feedstock with promising opportunities and the capability to be utilized for energy production in the long term. The paper presents the potential for converting beach wrack containing macroalgal biomass into gaseous fuel as a sustainable option for energy production, simultaneously improving the organic waste management that the coastline is facing. Beach wrack collected in the northern Baltic Sea region was converted by gasification technology applicable for carbon-based feedstock thermal recovery, resulting in syngas production as the main product and by-product biochar. Proximate and ultimate analysis, trace and major element quantification, detection of calorific values for macroalgal biomass, and derived biochar and syngas analysis were carried out. A higher heating value for beach wrack was estimated to be relatively low, 5.38 MJ/kg as received (or 14.70 MJ/kg on dry basis), but produced syngas that contained enough high content of CH 4 (42%). Due to macroalgal biomass specifics (e.g., high moisture content and sand admixture), an adjusted gasification process, i.e., the combination of thermochemical procedures, such as mild combustion and pyrolytic biomass conversion, might be a better choice for the greater economic value of biowaste valorization.

Keywords: beach cast; biomass conversion; biochar; gasification; seaweed; syngas; waste to energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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