Thermochemical Conversion of Algae Biomass: Pyrolysis and Gasification

Algae biomass typically includes cyanobacteria, macro and microalgae and is considered as one of the most easily available and important biomasses for the production of bio-fuels. Conversion of algae biomass into valuable by-products through thermochemical conversion is considered as the most straightforward method of all other techniques available. Thermochemical conversion involves the application of high temperature to the biomass for transformation into energy-providing by-products by accelerating the chemical conversion process. This chapter discusses the two main techniques that are used in thermochemical process for conversion of algal biomass namely pyrolysis and gasification. Gasification is used for the production of energy-rich combustible gas from algal biomass whereas pyrolysis leads to the production of bio-oil at very high temperatures.