Thermal behavior comparison of microalgae Spirulina sp and its simulated model compound during pyrolysis under thermogravimetric analyzer.

Global energy security is extremely uncertain, considering the world energy supply still depends on fossil energy from certain countries. Fossil energy is not renewable and is not environmentally friendly. Compared to fossil energy, biomass can be renewed and reduce CO2 emissions because there is a balance between CO2 absorption during biomass growth and CO2 emissions generated during the combustion process. One biomass that can be converted into fuel is the microalgae Spirulina sp. This species can be cultivated faster and does not require a large area compared to other biomasses. In this study, Spirulina sp and its simulated model compound composed of glycine, starch, and castor oil as a model of a protein, carbohydrate, and lipid were thermally characterized to understand the detail of its biomass thermal decomposition. The proportion of a simulated model compound was equal to the dry basis content of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate in Spirulina sp. Overall, samples were tested under a thermogravimetry analyzer to determine their thermal characteristics. The results show that the Spirulina sp had a more complex thermal decomposition than the simulated model compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]