Energy-efficient methane production from macroalgal biomass through chemo disperser liquefaction

Bioresour Technol. 2017 Mar:228:156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.12.102. Epub 2016 Dec 30.

Abstract

In this study, an effort has been made to reduce the energy cost of liquefaction by coupling a mechanical disperser with a chemical (sodium tripolyphosphate). In terms of the cost and specific energy demand of liquefaction, the algal biomass disintegrated at 12,000rpm for 30min, and an STPP dosage of about 0.04g/gCOD was chosen as an optimal parameter. Chemo disperser liquefaction (CDL) was found to be energetically and economically sustainable in terms of liquefaction, methane production, and net profit (15%, 0.14gCOD/gCOD, and 4 USD/Ton of algal biomass) and preferable to disperser liquefaction (DL) (10%, 0.11 gCOD/gCOD, and -475 USD/Ton of algal biomass).

Keywords: Algal biomass; Disperser; Liquefaction; Methane; Specific energy.

MeSH terms

  • Acids / chemistry
  • Anaerobiosis
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass*
  • Biopolymers / analysis
  • Biotechnology / economics
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Hydrolysis
  • Linear Models
  • Methane / biosynthesis*
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis
  • Seaweed / metabolism

Substances

  • Acids
  • Biopolymers
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Methane