Characterization of the bio-oil and bio-char produced by fixed bed pyrolysis of the brown alga Saccharina japonica

Abstract

Brown alga Saccharina japonica was pyrolyzed in a fixed bed reactor under conditions intended to maximize the yield of bio-oil and bio-char. The results revealed that the product distribution of bio-oil, bio-char, and gas was considerably influenced by the pyrolysis temperature (430-530 A degrees C) and holding time (4-10min). The maximum yields of bio-oil and bio-char were approximately 48.4 and 32.3wt%, respectively, when prepared at 450 A degrees C for 8min with a carrier gas flow rate of 2.2 cm/s. The fuel properties of dewatered S. japonica bio-oil (DSB) included higher heating value (HHV), kinematic viscosity, density, moisture and ash content, pH, and flash and pour point. The possibility of blending 5-20 vol% DSB with No. 6 fuel oil (Bunker C oil) was also examined. The physicochemical properties of the bio-char exhibited decreased carbon and HHV, and increased inorganic elements and surface area, with increasing pyrolysis temperature.