Bio-oil production from microalgae through lignite assisted microwave pyrolysis as novel absorber

Bio-oil from microalgae has undergone changes from the first generation to the third generation. Microalgae are third-generation bio-oil producers which have advantages over other bio-oils. This study aims to determine the yield and quality of bio-oil from microalgae through microwave pyrolysis with lignite as an absorber. The microalgae used are Chlorella vulgaris and lignite can be used as an absorber and can contribute to increasing the thermal decomposition results. Microwave pyrolysis was operated under vacuum (-10 mmH2O) and the process temperature was 500 °C. Process variables that directly contribute to the increase in yield and quality of bio-oil include the ratio of lignite to microalgae, pyrolysis time, and microwave input power. The resulting bio-oil product will be characterized by FTIR, GC-MS, density and viscosity. The ratio of microagla to coal which gives a maximum yield is 4:6 with an input power of 450 watts and a reaction time of 60 minutes which gives an optimal yield of 40%. The results of this study are expected to provide an alternative use of bio-oil and lignite as an absorber.

微藻基生物油的研发已从第一代演进至第三代。微藻作为第三代生物油原料，相较其他生物油原料具备显著优势。本研究旨在以褐煤为吸波剂，通过微波热解技术制备微藻基生物油，并测定其产率与品质。本研究选用的微藻为普通小球藻（Chlorella vulgaris），褐煤可作为吸波剂，有助于提升热分解效果。微波热解实验在负压（-10 mmH₂O）环境下开展，反应温度设定为500℃。直接影响生物油产率与品质的工艺参数包括褐煤与微藻的质量配比、热解时长以及微波输入功率。所得生物油产物将通过傅里叶变换红外光谱（FTIR）、气相色谱-质谱联用仪（GC-MS）、密度及黏度进行表征分析。当褐煤与微藻的配比为4:6、微波输入功率为450W、反应时长为60min时，可获得最高产率，最优产率可达40%。本研究成果有望为生物油及作为吸波剂的褐煤提供新的应用途径。