Characterization and Analysis of Malaysian Macroalgae Biomass as Potential Feedstock for Bio-Oil Production

Mei Ong,Pau Show,Saifuddin Nomanbhay,Bello Salman,Nor-Insyirah Syahira Abdul Latif,Hui Leong

doi:10.3390/en12183509

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en12183509

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Abstract

The potential of Caulerpa lentillifera, Gracilaria coronopifolia and Chaetomorpha linum, as biomass feedstock was investigated in this study. It was concluded that seaweed is more suitable for bio-based products synthesis, i.e., bioplastic and bio-lubricants, instead of biofuels due to its relatively low calorific value (~12 MJ/kg). Since seaweed has high moisture content (~80%), hydrothermal liquefaction is recommended, and its efficiency can be further enhanced through microwave technology. Besides, it is found that the thermal degradation of seaweed was best described with the reaction order of 1. The kinetic results also indicated that seaweed consists of lower activation energy (<30 kJ/mol) in comparison with terrestrial biomass (50–170 kJ/mol). Hence, seaweed has a high potential to be used as biomass feedstock, particularly Chaetomorpha linum, as it has no conflict with other interests. Lastly, acetic-acid pre-treatment was suggested to be an optional process in order to increase the algal conversion efficiency as it can reduce up to 25% of ash content.

Highlights

Biomass is considered as one of the most favourable renewable resources to produce biofuels, i.e., a clean, sustainable and renewable alternative energy source
The algae biomass feedstocks Caulerpa lentillifera, Gracilaria coronopifolia and Chaetomorpha linum used in this study, were obtained from the Institute International Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (I-AQUAS UPM), Port Dickson, Malaysia
The results suggested that the best technique to convert algae biomass are the wet techniques, such as the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) method

Summary

Introduction

Biomass is considered as one of the most favourable renewable resources to produce biofuels, i.e., a clean, sustainable and renewable alternative energy source. It is reported by Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) of United States that by the year of 2022, 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels will be blended with petroleum-based fuels [1]. Algal biomass is considered to have a greater potential compared with terrestrial lignocellulosic biomass, for biofuels production. Algae biomass are described as the most suitable feedstocks for next-generation biofuels production and chemicals synthesis [2,3]. It has been renowned that microalgae are widely used in the production of biofuels as they have high lipid contents. Microalgae have relatively gained more attention in the research field

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