Valorization of Ulva lactuca via hydrothermal carbonization: Effects of temperature, time, and concentration on hydrochar: Valorisasi Ulva lactuca melalui karbonisasi hidrotermal: Pengaruh suhu, waktu, dan konsentrasi terhadap hidrokar

Obie Farobie; Latifa Aisya  Anis; Widya  Fatriasari; Apip  Amrullah; Asep Bayu Dani  Nandiyanto; Surachai  Karnjanakom; Jingang  Yao

doi:10.17844/f3kztf96

Authors

Obie Farobie Department of Mechanical and Bio-system Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, IPB University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6159-635X
Latifa Aisya Anis Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Center, IPB University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1068-4106
Widya Fatriasari Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5166-9498
Apip Amrullah Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lambung Mangkurat University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7830-4528
Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9753-1267
Surachai Karnjanakom Department of Chemistry, Rangsit University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5130-765X
Jingang Yao School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3795-1673

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17844/f3kztf96

Keywords:

green algae, optimization, solid fuel, RSM, sustainable biomass

Abstract

The excessive proliferation of Ulva lactuca, a marine macroalga, contributes to eutrophication in many coastal areas and represents an underutilized biomass resource. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Ulva lactuca as a feedstock for solid biofuel production through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Specifically, the effects of temperature, time, and feedstock concentration on the hydrochar yield and properties were investigated. HTC experiments were conducted in a batch reactor at 180–220 °C, with reaction times of 30–90 min and biomass loadings of 1% and 5% (w/w). The resulting hydrochars were analyzed for yield, water and ash contents, higher heating value (HHV), morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental distribution via SEM–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and functional groups using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Statistical analysis using response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the process conditions, specifically focusing on the influence of temperature, residence time, and feedstock concentration. The results showed that higher temperatures reduced the hydrochar yield owing to enhanced decomposition, whereas greater feedstock concentrations promoted the yield through polymerization. The maximum yield of 31.3% was obtained at 180 °C with 5% feedstock content. The water content decreased with increasing HTC severity, whereas the ash content varied. The HHV increased with temperature and time, reaching 21.22 MJ/kg at 220 °C, which is comparable to that of low-rank coal. RSM confirmed that temperature and feedstock concentration were the dominant factors influencing the yield. These findings demonstrate the potential of U. lactuca as a sustainable third-generation biomass and provide insights into optimizing HTC to enhance hydrochar quality for bioenergy applications.

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