Abstract:

Pyrolysis of Spirulina sp. Microalgae was carried out in a semi-batch glass reactor system. Effect of temperature on the yields of pyrolytic products (gaseous, liquid and solid residue) and chemical composition of the liquid products were investigated. All experiments were performed in 25 mL/min nitrogen atmosphere with 15 g feedstock which was dry and powder form of Spirulina. Temperature was varied from 470 to 620 °C with 50 °C break by utilizing PID controller which was setted 10 °C/min heating rate. The aqueous phase and bio-oil (organic phase) of the liquid products were characterized by GC-MS. Maximum yields of bio-oil and aqueous phase were obtained approximately as 30 wt. % at 520 °C and as 20 wt. % at 470 °C. It was detected that bio-oil composed of aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons (such as toluene and heptadecane), oxygenated components (such as phenol, o-cresol and nonadecanol), nitrogenous components (such as hexadecaneamide and 3-Methyl-1H-indole). Unlike bio-oil, hydrocarbons like toluene, ethyl benzene, styrene and alkanes were not detected in aqueous phase.

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