Microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris and wood sawdust using different additives

Abstract

The microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), wood sawdust (WS) and their blends with additives were investigated. There was a higher liquid and solid yield with silicon carbide (SiC) than activated carbon (AC) in most of samples. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis with additives behaved a positive effect on deoxygenation and aromatization, but not apparent denitrification. With the increase of CV proportion, aromatic hydrocarbons decreased, but aliphatic hydrocarbons increased using AC. High selectivity of phenols was reached at the sample of WS (relative content as 43.6%) using SiC; High selectivity of alkenes was reached at the sample of CV (relative content as 31.2%) and alkanes at the blend sample of 70% CV and 30% WS (relative content as 9.45%). Bio-oil and biochar from microwave-assisted pyrolysis of WS had higher calorific value than that of CV both with AC and SiC. Calorific value of bio-oil decreased by 33.3% after mixing CV with WS.