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A publication analyses the gasification kinetics of microalgae-derived char in chemical looping processes
Daofeng Mei, an ARAID researcher affiliated with the Instituto de Carboquímica (ICB-CSIC), is the first author and corresponding author of the paper Chemical Looping Gasification with Microalgae: Intrinsic Gasification Kinetics of Char Derived from Fast Pyrolysis, published in Energies. The study provides new insights into the gasification mechanisms of char derived from microalgae, delivering key knowledge for the development and optimisation of advanced syngas production technologies.
Chemical Looping Gasification (CLG) is an emerging technology for the production of syngas, a key intermediate used in the manufacture of fuels and chemical products. Unlike conventional gasification processes, CLG produces a high-quality gas stream without direct contact between fuel and air, facilitating carbon capture while reducing the energy demand associated with gas separation.
The published study investigates the intrinsic gasification kinetics of char produced through the fast pyrolysis of microalgae, a crucial aspect for understanding fuel conversion rates and designing more efficient reactor systems. To achieve this, the research team examined the influence of operational variables such as temperature, steam and carbon dioxide concentrations, as well as the impact of gases generated during the gasification process itself.
The results enabled the development of a kinetic model capable of describing char behaviour under different operating conditions, providing valuable information for the optimisation, modelling and scale-up of CLG-based processes. The study also offers new evidence on the role played by naturally occurring mineral compounds in microalgae and their influence on gasification reactions.
The research was carried out by Daofeng Mei, an ARAID researcher at the Instituto de Carboquímica (ICB-CSIC), together with Francisco García-Labiano and Alberto Abad (ICB-CSIC), in collaboration with Tobias Mattisson from Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden). The work received funding from the European projects CLG-G3BioF, supported through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme under Horizon Europe, and Bio-MeGaFuel (Horizon Europe), as well as from Chalmers University of Technology’s Energy in a Circular Economy programme.
The publication contributes to ongoing research on the sustainable use of microalgae as a feedstock for third-generation biofuels and for the development of energy technologies with the potential to reduce net carbon emissions.
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