Journal
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
Volume 16, Issue -, Pages 1-11Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2016.02.026
Keywords
Macroalgae; Hydrothermal carbonisation; Hydrochar; Anaerobic digestion; Nutrients
Categories
Funding
- EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre in Low Carbon Technologies [EP/G036608/1]
- European Commission [320J]
- EPSRC [EP/I014365/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [1362196, EP/I014365/1] Funding Source: researchfish
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Macroalgae have emerged as a potential future source of feedstock for the production of chemicals and biofuels. The main drawbacks of macroalgae in terms of a biofuel feedstock are its low heating value (HHV), high halogen content, high ash content and high slagging and fouling propensity. In this investigation, three species of kelps; (i) Laminaria digitata (ii) Laminaria hyperborea and (iii) Alaria esculenta have been processed by hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) in a batch reactor at two temperatures (200 degrees C and 250 degrees C). The yields and properties of the resulting hydrochars including their HHV, CHNS, mineral content and ash fusibility properties have been determined and compared to the starting material. Significant improvement in fuel quality is observed resulting in an increase in energy density from 10 MJ/kg to typically 25 MJ/kg, which is comparable to that of a low rank coal. The results indicate significant demineralisation of the fuel, in particular a significant removal of alkali salts and chlorine. This results in improved combustion properties due to a reduction in the slagging and fouling properties of the fuel. Analysis of the HTC water phase indicates the presence of high levels of soluble organic carbon consisting of sugars and organic acids, and high levels of potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. The potential for production of bio-methane and recovery of nutrients following anaerobic treatment of the water phase is assessed. A prediction of the bio-methane yields for the different seaweeds has been calculated. Processing of biomass collected throughout the growth season indicates the influence of seasonal variation on energy and nutrient recovery. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available