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Conversion of waste algae from biodiesel production to valuable gas, liquid and solid products

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Abstract

A novel procedure for the conversion of waste algae waste, remaining from biodiesel production, into gas, liquid products and porous carbon has been developed. The precursor, algae waste is studied by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. First algae material is subjected to pyrolysis at 550 °C, and the composition of evolving gas and liquid products is studied—dominant content of polar compounds in the liquid products is determined. The solid product after pyrolysis is subjected to hydro-pyrolysis (physical activation with water vapor) at different temperatures. The pore structure of the obtained carbon after activation at pre-determined optimal temperature is investigated by nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, which demonstrate moderate surface area, microporosity and mesoporosity, developed during activation process. Presence of oxygen functional groups with weak acidic and basic nature is established.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support for this work, Project BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019: “Clean technologies for sustainable environment – water, waste, energy for circular economy” (Clean and Circle) co-funded by the European union, European Regional Development Fund, Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth”. Authors are also grateful to the funding by Project KP-06-27/9 with Bulgarian National Science Fund, Bulgarian Ministry of Education. 

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., BL. 9, 1113, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Boyko Tsyntsarski, Ivanka Stoycheva, Lenia Gonsalvesh, Bilyana Petrova, Georgi Georgiev, Miglena Vasileva, Temenuzhka Budinova & Nartzislav Petrov

  2. University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Kliment Ohridski Blvd., No 8, 1756, Sofia, Bulgaria

    Vesislava B. Toteva, Radostin N. Nickolov & Ivan Banchev

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  1. Boyko Tsyntsarski
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  2. Vesislava B. Toteva
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  3. Radostin N. Nickolov
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  4. Ivan Banchev
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  5. Ivanka Stoycheva
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  6. Lenia Gonsalvesh
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  7. Bilyana Petrova
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  8. Georgi Georgiev
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  10. Temenuzhka Budinova
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  11. Nartzislav Petrov
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Correspondence to Boyko Tsyntsarski.

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Tsyntsarski, B., Toteva, V.B., Nickolov, R.N. et al. Conversion of waste algae from biodiesel production to valuable gas, liquid and solid products. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 22, 1176–1183 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-020-01010-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-020-01010-9

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