Conversion of bio-coke from microalgae as a potential strategy for double fuel technology.

Concern of energy and environmental issues have increased the attention of the utilization of biofuels in recent years. Currently, microalgae known as a promising sustainable feedstock for biodiesel due to their rapid growth and impressive carbon capture characteristic. However, some problem occurred as most of the remaining extracted algae waste after biodiesel production was not optimally utilized. Therefore, to increase the commercial viability of the microalgae, the current study attempted to utilize the waste algae biomass of Spirulina (SP) microalgae species into a new solid biofuel product, bio-coke. This study analyzed the mechanical characteristic of bio-coke that included the density and mechanical strength. The result indicated that SP bio-coke has a higher density (1321-1326 kg/m3) and mechanical strength (55.188-108.443 MPa) when compared with the conventional pellet and briquette. Therefore, it showed that SP bio-coke is potentially to be used as an alternative heat source in cupola furnaces for cast iron melting in the automobile parts manufacturing industry thus developing a double fuel technology in the transportation sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]