Many microalgae species can accumulate substantial quantities of lipids which can then be converted into transportation fuels. However, it is difficult to extract lipids easily and economically from microalgal cells because of sturdy cell wall structure and existence of bulk water. In this study, pyrolysis experiments were carried out in order to extract lipids from Chlorella sp. KR-1. TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) results on KR-1 cells show that there are two distinguished weight loss peaks between 200 and 500 �C. The first weight loss may be attributed to the degradation and volatilization of carbohydrates and proteins. The next weight loss observed is due to the decomposition and volatilization of lipids. Based on these results, 2 stage pyrolysis was developed. The microalgal biomass were treated at 350 �C for removing carbohydrates, and lipids were then recovered selectively by cracking the residue at 600 �C. Free fatty acids with carbon numbers of 16 and 18 and long chain hydrocarbons with carbon numbers of 15 and 17 were the major components in the pyrolysis oil. Due to the thermal treatment, the boiling point distribution of the pyrolysis oil is much lower than that of triglycerides and therefore this oil could be applied for transportation fuels efficiently after upgrading process such as deoxygenation.

Recovery of microalgal oil from <i>Chlorella sp.</i> KR-1 by two-stage pyrolysis

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Recovery of microalgal oil from Chlorella sp. KR-1 by two-stage pyrolysis