Microwave pyrolysis of microalgae for high syngas production.

The microwave induced pyrolysis of the microalgae Scenedesmus almeriensis and its extraction residue was carried out at 400 and 800°C. The results show that it is possible to obtain a gas fraction with a high content (c.a. 50vol.%) in H2 from both materials, regardless of the pyrolysis temperature. Furthermore, an outstanding syngas production and high gas yields were achieved. The maximum syngas concentration obtained was c.a. 94 vol.%, in the case of the pyrolysis of the residue at 800°C, indicating that the production of CO2 and light hydrocarbons was minimized. The same experiments were carried out in a conventional electric furnace in order to compare the products and yields obtained. It was found that microwave induced pyrolysis gives rise not only to higher gas yields but also to greater syngas and H2 production.