Supercritical water gasification of microalgae with and without oil extraction

Algae after extraction with hexane are a promising feedstock for fuel production (such as hydrogen gas) using supercritical water gasification. However, the effect of extraction with hexane on supercritical water gasification has not been elucidated so far. In this study, original sample and sample after extraction with hexane of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris were gasified in supercritical water at 600 degrees C and 25 MPa and the results were compared. Algae after extraction with hexane resulted in a lower methane content and lower carbon gas yields. Rate constants for reactions in the algae decomposition reaction network were determined by fitting calculation to experimental data. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.