Analysis of microalgae pellets combustion in a circulating fluidized-bed

Microalgae are expected to become an important source of high-value products with several applications in a large number of areas of biotechnology and, especially, in biofuels production. The increasing interest in microalgae as a source of biofuel (so-called third generation biofuel) is due to the several advantages. The objective of this study was to investigate combustion characteristics of microalgae (Oscillatoria sp.) pellets burnt in a circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) in terms of sample temperature profiles, ignition time, ignition temperature, devolatilization time and the burnout time. Spherical 10-mm microalgae pellets were tested at temperature of 850 degrees C in a 12-kW bench-scale CFB combustor.