Energetic potential of algal biomass from high-rate algal ponds for the production of solid biofuels.
In this investigation, chemical characteristics, higher, lower and net heating value, bulk and energy density, and thermogravimetric analysis were applied to study the thermal characteristics of three algal biomasses. These biomasses, grown as by-products of wastewater treatment in high-rate algal ponds (HRAPs), were: (i) biomass produced in domestic effluent and collected directly from an HRAP (PO); (ii) biomass produced in domestic effluent in a mixed pond-panel system and collected from the panels (PA); and (iii) biomass originating from the treatment effluent from the meat processing industry and collected directly from an HRAP (IN). The biomass IN was the best alternative for thermal power generation. Subsequently, a mixture of the algal biomasses and Jatropha epicarp was used to produce briquettes containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of algal biomass, and their properties were evaluated. In general, the addition of algal biomass to briquettes decreased both the hygroscopicity and fixed carbon content and increased the bulk density, ash content, and energy density. A 50% proportion of biomass IN was found to be the best raw material for producing briquettes. Therefore, the production of briquettes consisting of algal biomass and Jatropha epicarp at a laboratory scale was shown to be technically feasible.
a Department of Civil Engineering , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , MG , Brazil.
Taynan de Oliveira
TO
Costa
a Department of Civil Engineering , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , MG , Brazil.
Maria Lúcia
ML
Calijuri
a Department of Civil Engineering , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , MG , Brazil.
Nayara Vilela
NV
Avelar
b Department of Forest Engineering , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , MG, Brazil.
Angélica de Cássia de Oliveira
ACO
Carneiro
a Department of Civil Engineering , Federal University of Viçosa , Viçosa , MG , Brazil.
Letícia Rodrigues
LR
de Assis
D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D058086:Microalgae; D061005:Ponds; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D062065:Wastewater
D056804:Biofuels; D062065:Wastewater
Algal biomass; bioenergy; briquetting; characterization; high-rate algal ponds