Bio-oil production through pyrolysis of blue-green algae blooms (BGAB): Product distribution and bio-oil characterization

Pyrolysis experiments of blue-green algae blooms (BGAB) were carried out in a fixed-bed reactor to determine the effects of pyrolysis temperature, particle size and sweep gas flow rate on pyrolysis product yields and bio-oil properties. The pyrolysis temperature, particle size and sweep gas flow rate were varied in the ranges of 300-700 degrees C, below 0.25-2.5 mm and 50-400 mL min(-1), respectively. The maximum oil yield of 54.97% was obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 500 degrees C, particle size below 0.25 mm and sweep gas flow rate of 100 mL min(-1). The elemental analysis and calorific value of the oil were determined, and the chemical composition of the oil was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) technique. The analysis of bio-oil composition showed that bio-oil from BGAB could be a potential source of renewable fuel with a heating value of 31.9 MJ kg(-1). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.