Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine

The increasing need for sustainable energy sources has driven research toward innovative solutions, including biomass gasification for syngas production, with applications in the chemical industry and energy generation. This study explores the application of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lucrezia Scopel, Vera Marcantonio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6085
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850261087338889216
author Lucrezia Scopel
Vera Marcantonio
author_facet Lucrezia Scopel
Vera Marcantonio
author_sort Lucrezia Scopel
collection DOAJ
description The increasing need for sustainable energy sources has driven research toward innovative solutions, including biomass gasification for syngas production, with applications in the chemical industry and energy generation. This study explores the application of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> in the gasification process to produce syngas intended for gas turbine operation. Using Aspen Plus V11 (academic version) simulations, the study evaluates optimal process conditions and syngas yields, focusing on operational parameters such as the S/B ratio and gasifier temperature. Results show that a higher S/B ratio increases H<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations while reducing CO and CH<sub>4</sub>, with final syngas composition in dry conditions reaching 0.42 CO, 0.52 H<sub>2</sub>, and 0.036 H<sub>2</sub>O. Contaminants like H<sub>2</sub>S and HCl were effectively reduced below critical thresholds, with H<sub>2</sub>S levels under 20 ppm and HCl under 1 ppm to meet GT requirements. The system achieved a cold gas efficiency of 55% and an overall turbine cycle efficiency of 25%, with CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of 0.198 kg per kWh produced. In conclusion, the gasification of <i>C. vulgaris</i> offers a promising and sustainable solution for syngas production and energy generation, with reduced environmental impacts. However, economic feasibility and certain technical challenges will require further advancements to fully realize this technology’s potential.
format Article
id doaj-art-7d3ec06a6a9a4040b2dd03f8c11c0521
institution OA Journals
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-7d3ec06a6a9a4040b2dd03f8c11c05212025-08-20T01:55:31ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-12-011723608510.3390/en17236085Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas TurbineLucrezia Scopel0Vera Marcantonio1Unit of Process Engineering, Department of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and One Health, University “Campus Bio-Medico” di Roma, Via Alvaro Del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, ItalyUnit of Process Engineering, Department of Science and Technology for Sustainable Development and One Health, University “Campus Bio-Medico” di Roma, Via Alvaro Del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, ItalyThe increasing need for sustainable energy sources has driven research toward innovative solutions, including biomass gasification for syngas production, with applications in the chemical industry and energy generation. This study explores the application of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> in the gasification process to produce syngas intended for gas turbine operation. Using Aspen Plus V11 (academic version) simulations, the study evaluates optimal process conditions and syngas yields, focusing on operational parameters such as the S/B ratio and gasifier temperature. Results show that a higher S/B ratio increases H<sub>2</sub> and CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations while reducing CO and CH<sub>4</sub>, with final syngas composition in dry conditions reaching 0.42 CO, 0.52 H<sub>2</sub>, and 0.036 H<sub>2</sub>O. Contaminants like H<sub>2</sub>S and HCl were effectively reduced below critical thresholds, with H<sub>2</sub>S levels under 20 ppm and HCl under 1 ppm to meet GT requirements. The system achieved a cold gas efficiency of 55% and an overall turbine cycle efficiency of 25%, with CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of 0.198 kg per kWh produced. In conclusion, the gasification of <i>C. vulgaris</i> offers a promising and sustainable solution for syngas production and energy generation, with reduced environmental impacts. However, economic feasibility and certain technical challenges will require further advancements to fully realize this technology’s potential.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6085biomass conversionbiomass wasteaspen plussynthesis gasenergy generationmicroalgae
spellingShingle Lucrezia Scopel
Vera Marcantonio
Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine
Energies
biomass conversion
biomass waste
aspen plus
synthesis gas
energy generation
microalgae
title Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine
title_full Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine
title_fullStr Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine
title_full_unstemmed Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine
title_short Gasification of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> for Syngas Production and Energy Generation Through Gas Turbine
title_sort gasification of i chlorella vulgaris i for syngas production and energy generation through gas turbine
topic biomass conversion
biomass waste
aspen plus
synthesis gas
energy generation
microalgae
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/23/6085
work_keys_str_mv AT lucreziascopel gasificationofichlorellavulgarisiforsyngasproductionandenergygenerationthroughgasturbine
AT veramarcantonio gasificationofichlorellavulgarisiforsyngasproductionandenergygenerationthroughgasturbine