The development of low-cost, high capacity processes for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals holds the promise of reducing dependency on fossil fuel resources while expanding the utilization of carbon neutral processes. Additionally, there is a strong impetus to develop biofuels that are not based on food crops. In this context, microalgae species have shown potential as a feedstock for the production of several types of renewable fuels including bioethanol, biodiesel and methane. Given the further potential of microalgae as a pyrolysis feedstock, interest in the pyrolytic characteristics of microalgae is growing. In the current study, we report the results of a simplified process simulation-based investigation into the fast pyrolysis of microalgae. This modeling effort is based on fast pyrolysis experimental data generated as a result of on-going work and will employ a modern process modeling software platform to extend the understanding of compositional effects on pyrolysis product generation.

Pyrolysis of microalgae: Insight from process simulation

247th National Meeting (2014)

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