Pyrolysis of Macroalgae and Polysytrene: A Review

Abstract

Aquatic biomass, especially algae, is a promising renewable energy resource, owing to its high growth rate, high oil content, and lack of competition with land needed for food crops. Both micro- and macroalgae can be converted to liquid fuel through pyrolysis; however, the high oxygen content of the oil results in a low calorific value. Co-pyrolysis of biomass with synthetic polymers can improve oil quantity and quality: the polymers are petroleum products, contain less oxygen, and provide a comparable high heating value to conventional fossil fuels. Polystyrene is a particularly attractive synthetic polymer, because it has the lowest recycling rate of the major categories of plastic. This article provides background concerning thermal conversion of biomass/organic waste to energy, focusing on pyrolysis. Advantages of algae and polystyrene as pyrolysis feedstocks are discussed, and previous pyrolysis studies of macroalgae and polystyrene, as well as co-pyrolysis studies of biomass and plastics, are reviewed.