Products and pathway analysis of rice straw and chlorella vulgaris by microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis

Bio-fuel derived from co-pyrolysis of Rice straw (RS) and Chlorella Vulgaris (CV) is a promising alternative source to fossil fuel. In this study microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis characteristics, product distribution, bio-oil compounds and possible reaction pathways of CV to RS under different mixing ratios (CV:RS = 0:10 (CV0RS10), CV7RS3, CV5RS5, CV3RS7, CV0RS10) were investigated. Results showed that the highest average weight loss rate (Ra, 0.010490 wt%/s) occurred at CV0RS10, while the maximum Ra (0.009631 wt%/s) in co-pyrolysis groups occurred at CV3RS7. As for product distribution, co-pyrolysis showed strong positive effect on the production of bio-oil while negative effect on biochar. Besides, the strongest synergistic effect and maximum production (19.2 wt%) of bio-oil occurred at CV7RS3. Furthermore, compounds analysis of bio-oil showed that co-pyrolysis facilitated the formation of hydrocarbons. While the highest content of hydrocarbons (20.79%) occurred at CV7RS3 and it was 7.796% higher than CV10RS0. Finally, a possible reaction pathway was speculated based on the change of compound content at different ratios.