In order to assess the potential of gasification for the utilisation of algal biomass, the devolatilisation characteristics of a fresh water macroalga (Oedogonium sp.), a Victoria brown coal (Loy Yang) and their blends were investigated. The study indicated that Oedogonium sp. and Loy Yang coal exhibit quite different pyrolysis characteristics under the same pyrolysis conditions, the devolatization of Oedogonium sp. occurs mainly between 180-410 °C, while for Loy Yang coal pyrolysis occurs over a wider temperature zone. The effect of heating rate on the devolatilization characteristics of these two fuels was also studied; for heating rates of 10-40 °C /min it was found that pyrolysis shifts to higher temperatures as the heating rate increases for both fuels. There is no significant change in the residual mass for Loy Yang coal, however, the residual mass of Oedogonium sp. decreases slightly as the heating rate increases. The pyrolysis characteristics of blends of these two fuels were also investigated for different blending ratios. No interaction effects were observed to exist for the experimental conditions investigated. Based on this work, successful co-gasification of macroalgae and coal is not expected to be impeded by limitations occurring during the pyrolysis stage.
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