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Renewable source hydrocarbons obtaining from microalgae by catalytic deoxygenation

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Abstract

In line with global demand for greenhouse gas reduction, the aviation industry has invested in biofuels development. A source feedstock that deserves special mention for this process is microalgae, because of its cultivation of renewable biomass with high yields, low cost, and high CO2 sequestering potential. This research aimed the study of microalgae culture with hard potential for biofuel production and its obtaining through catalytic deoxygenation to renewable source hydrocarbons in C12–C18 range. Thus, the oils of the Scenedesmus acuminatus and Cosmarium sp. species were cultivated and identified. Scenedesmus acuminatus oil is the majority composition of palmitic acid (C16:0) and has a higher production and yield than Cosmarium sp. oil. Scenedesmus acuminatus oil was then submitted to catalytic deoxygenation by the semi-batch reaction using the 5% Pd/C catalyst. The obtained results showed a selectivity of 82.9% and n-alkane yielding of 36.6%, placing the specie as potential biojet fuel precursor.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. H. Henry Lamb from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, for his assistance and laboratory structure and support for research.

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Funding

This study was financed in part by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—Brasil (CNPq) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Graduate Program, CCEN, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil

    Pedro H. M. Araújo & Nataly A. Santos

  2. Laboratory of Biofuels Technology, IDEP, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil

    Pedro H. M. Araújo, Angela M. T M. Cordeiro & Nataly A. Santos

  3. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, 911 Partners Way, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7905, USA

    Pedro H. M. Araújo

  4. Department of Systematic and Ecology, CCEN, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil

    Jordana K. S. Santana & Roberto Sassi

  5. Laboratory of Extraction and Separation Methods (LAMES), Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Goiás (UFG), 74690-900, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

    Dayane C. da Costa & Nelson R. Antoniosi Filho

  6. Department of Food Technology, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Paraíba, 58051-900, Brazil

    Angela M. T M. Cordeiro & Nataly A. Santos

  7. Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil

    Amanda D. Gondim

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  1. Pedro H. M. Araújo
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Correspondence to Pedro H. M. Araújo.

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Araújo, P.H.M., Santana, J.K.S., Sassi, R. et al. Renewable source hydrocarbons obtaining from microalgae by catalytic deoxygenation. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 12, 1575–1582 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01353-9

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