Characteristics of Liquid Products from Spirulina platensis Pyrolysis under Microwave Irradiation with Activated Carbon Additive

Authors

Mohammad Mirza Yuniar Romaz, Center for Renewable Fuels Research (CRFR), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, IndonesiaFollow
Sukarni Sukarni, Center for Renewable Fuels Research (CRFR), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia; Center of Advanced Materials for Renewable Energy (CAMRY), Universitas Negeri Malang, IndonesiaFollow
Retno Wulandari, Center for Renewable Fuels Research (CRFR), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

Global energy consumption has surged due to the population's rapid growth, leading to a switch to using renewable and clean energy. Among various strategies for developing renewable and clean energy, biomass pyrolysis emerged as attractive, and microwave irradiation pyrolysis is a prominent technique. This research aims to determine the ideal parameters for microwave-assisted pyrolysis of Spirulina platensis (SP) microalgae in order to produce high-value liquid products with the addition of activated carbon (AC) additives. Liquid bio-oil products were characterized concerning their calorific value, chemical bonds, and thermal stability. This research also investigates product distribution as a function of AC loading. Using 900W output power of microwave and 550 °C pyrolysis temperature, the pyrolysis process was shortened by 36.5% at 15% of AC loading. At 20% AC loading, the pyrolysis duration was shortened by 33%. This study demonstrated that the highest liquid and minimum solid residue were obtained at 20% AC loading. The heating value of liquid bio-oil with no AC additives was 35.419 MJ/kg, while at a 10% AC additive was 37.464 MJ/kg. The highest heating value was found at a 15% AC additive, which was 39.345 MJ/kg; meanwhile, at a 20% AC additive, it was 36.097 MJ/kg. These findings conclusively showed that the liquid bio-oil's quality was significantly improved by the addition of activated carbon (AC), establishing it as an attractive option for the microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) process that produces advanced renewable fuels.

Recommended Citation

Romaz, Mohammad Mirza Yuniar; Sukarni, Sukarni; and Wulandari, Retno (2024) "Characteristics of Liquid Products from Spirulina platensis Pyrolysis under Microwave Irradiation with Activated Carbon Additive," Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST): Vol. 8: No. 2, Article 20.
Available at: https://citeus.um.ac.id/jmest/vol8/iss2/20