Characterization and pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis: potential of bio-oil and chemical production by Py-GC/MS analysis

Abstract

Biofuels have been seen as potential sources to meet future energy demand as a renewable and sustainable energy source. Despite the fact that the production technology of first-generation biofuels is consolidated, these biofuels are produced from foods crops such as grains, sugar cane, and vegetable oils competing with food for crop use and agricultural land. In recent years, it was found that microalgae have the potential to provide a viable alternative to fossil fuels as source of biofuels without compromising food supplies or arable land. On this scenario, this paper aims to demonstrate the energetic potential to produce bio-oil and chemicals from microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis. The potential of these biomasses was evaluated in terms of physical-chemical characterization, thermogravimetric analysis, and analytical pyrolysis interfaced with gas chromatograph (Py-GC/MS). The results show that C. vulgaris and A. platensis are biomasses with a high heating value (24.60 and 22.43 MJ/kg) and low ash content, showing a high percentage of volatile matter (72.49 and 79.42%). These characteristics confirm their energetic potential for conversion process through pyrolysis, whereby some important aromatic compounds such as toluene, styrene, and phenol were identified as pyrolysis products, which could turn these microalgae a potential for biofuels and bioproduct production through the pyrolysis.

Chemical Characterization of Microcystis aeruginosa for Feed and Energy Uses

“…Thus, the nitrogen concentration is proportional to the protein content, since it is part of the amino acid composition. The nitrogen content in the strain LTPNA 01 (4.25%) and the bloom (4.23%) was lower than the values found in A. platensis (10.38%) [38], C. reinhardtii wild type (10.7%), and C. reinhardtii CW15 + (11.1%), and C. vulgaris (6.7%) [39]. The carbohydrate content in the strain LTPNA 01 (34.66%) was similar to the value found in A. platensis (30.78%) [38] and higher than C. vulgaris (20.99%) [40], which are both lower than the bloom sample (48.64%).…”

“…Proteins are also essential for algae and cyanobacteria, as they are involved in various processes in these organisms, such as growth, repair, and cell maintenance, acting in the defense against invaders, and functioning as chemical messengers. Therefore, it is crucial to have a protein content that guarantees all cellular functionalities [38]. However, the protein content in the strain LTPNA 01 (14.38%) or the bloom (15.07%) was lower than the values found in the filamentous cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis (61.70%) [38] and the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii wild type (47.4%), C. reinhardtii CW15 + (45.7%), and Chlorella vulgaris (54.9%) [39].…”

“…Therefore, it is crucial to have a protein content that guarantees all cellular functionalities [38]. However, the protein content in the strain LTPNA 01 (14.38%) or the bloom (15.07%) was lower than the values found in the filamentous cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis (61.70%) [38] and the green microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii wild type (47.4%), C. reinhardtii CW15 + (45.7%), and Chlorella vulgaris (54.9%) [39].…”

Functional nano-catalyzed pyrolyzates from branch of Cinnamomum camphora

“…The pyrolysis conditions are as follows: 50 °C, 1 sec standing time, 20 °C/MS flow rate, 700 °C or 550 °C flow rate, hold for 10 s. Interface conditions: 80 °C, flow rate 100 °C/min to 300 °C, keep 2 min (Chen et al, 2018). Valve furnace: 300 °C, transmission line: alpha C, GC–MS./MS conditions: HP-5 capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 µm); carrier gas, helium, carrier gas flow, 1 mL/min, injection volume, 1 °C, 29 sample injection temperature: 280 °C, split ratio 5:1 (Almeida et al, 2017). Heating procedure: initial temperature is 50 °C, hold for 2 min, then rising to 300 °C at the rate of 10 °C/min, and the residence time is 10 min.…”

Prospecção Tecnológica de Patentes a Respeito da Produção de Diesel Verde a partir de Microalgas com Catalisadores de Nióbio por Pirólise Rápida

“…No bio-óleo, foi obtido alto rendimento de produtos desoxigenados e grande quantidade de hidrocarbonetos. A pirólise com as microalgas Chlorella vulgaris e Arthrospira platensis confirmaram seu grande potencial na produção de compostos aromáticos importantes como: tolueno, estireno e fenóis (ALMEIDA et al, 2017).…”