Production and characterization of bio-oil from algae using pyrolysis

Abstract

Pyrolysis of the algae (chlorophyceac) was carried out using fixed bed reactor at 4500C. The mass balance of the pyrolysed algae were liquid fraction (oil) (10%), gaseous product (11%), solid product (char) (79%) and extent of conversion (21%. The proximate analysis of powdered sample was carried out in accordance with the official method of analytical chemistry (AOAC). The moisture content, ash content, volatile matter and fixed carbon determined were 3 + 0.33, 70.3 + 0.5, 6.3 + 0.3 and 20.2 + 0.07 respectively. The result obtained indicate that algae (chlorophyceae) could be used as feedstock for generation of pyrolysed oil which could probably be upgraded to fuel for both domestic and industrial purposes.