Effect of operating conditions of thermochemical liquefaction on biocrude production from Spirulina platensis

Umakanta Jena; K C Das; J R Kastner

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.057

Effect of operating conditions of thermochemical liquefaction on biocrude production from Spirulina platensis

Bioresour Technol. 2011 May;102(10):6221-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.057. Epub 2011 Feb 17.

Authors

Umakanta Jena¹, K C Das, J R Kastner

Affiliation

¹ Biorefining and Carbon Cycling Program, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-4435, USA.

PMID: 21444202
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.02.057

Abstract

This study investigated the optimum thermochemical liquefaction (TCL) operating conditions for producing biocrude from Spirulina platensis. TCL experiments were performed at various temperatures (200-380°C), holding times (0-120 min), and solids concentrations (10-50%). TCL conversion at 350°C, 60 min holding time and 20% solids concentration produced the highest biocrude yield of 39.9% representing 98.3% carbon conversion efficiency. Light fraction biocrude (B(1)) appeared at 300°C or higher temperatures and represented 50-63% of the total biocrude. Biocrude obtained at 350-380°C had similar fuel properties to that of petroleum crude with energy density of 34.7-39.9 MJ kg(-1) compared to 42.9 MJ kg(-1) for petroleum crude. Biocrude from conversion at 300°C or above had 71-77% elemental carbon, and 0.6-11.6% elemental oxygen and viscosities in the range 40-68 cP. GC/MS of biocrude reported higher hydrocarbons (C(16)-C(17)), phenolics, carboxylic acids, esters, aldehydes, amines, and amides.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Biofuels*
Spirulina / metabolism*

Substances

Biofuels