Using CO2 in cultivation of microalgal biomass and thermo-chemical process

Jonghyun Park, Seong Heon Cho, Sungyup Jung, Jeong Seop Lee, Yiu Fai Tsang, Sang Jun Sim, Eilhann E. Kwon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Microalgal biomass is a promising candidate for next generation biorefinery resources because of its rapid growth rate and efficiency in carbon assimilation. Recent studies have reported successful microalgal cultivation using exhaust gases rich in CO2 as the carbon source. This study focuses on optimising carbon utilisation by incorporating CO2 into the pyrolysis process of microalgae, particularly Scenedesmus sp., cultivated under elevated CO2 concentrations. Under the influence of CO2, homogeneous reactions occurred between the volatile pyrolysates and CO2. These reactions result in enhanced CO levels and a reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pyrolytic oil through the simultaneous reduction of CO2 and oxidation of volatile pyrolysates. To accelerate the kinetics of these homogeneous reactions, catalytic pyrolysis was performed using Ni-based catalysts. The catalytic effects of The Ni catalyst significantly boosted CO production by promoting homogeneous reactions. The evolution of CO from catalytic pyrolysis under CO2 conditions was 2.92 times higher than that from double-stage pyrolysis. Thus, these experimental findings underscore the technical advantages of strategically utilising CO2 in both microalgal biomass cultivation and the thermochemical conversion of microalgal biomass.

Original languageEnglish
Article number149700
JournalChemical Engineering Journal
Volume484
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024 Mar 15

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • Biorefinery
  • Carbon neutrality
  • CO utilization
  • Microalgae
  • Pyrolysis
  • Syngas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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