Performance and potential appraisal of various microalgae as direct combustion fuel. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choi, Hong Il; Lee, Jeong Seop; Choi, Jin Won; Shin, Ye Sol; Sung, Young Joon; Hong, Min Eui; Kwak, Ho Seok; Kim, Chan Young; Sim, Sang Jun
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 273(2019)
• Page Start: 341
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Microalgae -- Solid fuel -- Direct combustion -- The holistic analyses -- Negative emissions; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.11.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Direct combustion realizes the full potential energy yield from microalgal biomass. Microalgae's oleaginous property contributes to their high calorific values. Their high carbon content increases the energy density and CO2 reduction effects. Synergistic effects of coal-microalgae co-firing were quantitatively confirmed. The solid fuel shows better performance than woody biomass in various properties. Abstract: Direct combustion of biomass is considered the most effective and simple means to contribute to CO2 reduction. In this context, the life-cycle potential of microalgal solid fuel, which has been overlooked so far, was comprehensively scrutinized ranging from cultivation to direct combustion. According to the quantitative data, using the raw fuel was confirmed to offer great benefits over the conventional lipid-targeted microalgal fuel systems through exploiting all of the biomass' energy potential, thereby being able to significantly increase the energy yield from biomass. The solid fuel is shown to exhibit diverse positive aspects owing to its remarkable calorific value, productivity and CO2 fixation ability. The combustion test reveals coal-microalgae co-combustion brings beneficial consequences on combustibility and environmental impacts with no notable thermal efficiency drop. This holistic appraisal shows microalgae patently possess high potential as a direct combustion fuel, even outperforming that of extensively used woody fuels.