Abstract
Microalgae have been considered as a promising renewable feedstock for advanced biofuels and bioproducts attributed to their superior productivity, high lipid content, and environmentally friendly nature. Microalgal biochar, a carbon-rich product produced by thermal decomposition of microalgal biomass under limited oxygen supply and relatively low temperature, is praised for its high nutrient content and ion-exchange capacity for use as a soil amendment for agriculture and/or adsorbents in air and wastewater treatment to remove pollutants.
In this chapter, current production technologies and potential applications of microalgal biochar are exemplified. Different processes for microalgal biochar production, including pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, and other emerging technologies (e.g., torrefaction, flash carbonization, and copyrolysis), are discussed. Various physical and chemical treatments associated with applications of microalgal biochar for soil amendment, bioabsorption, carbon (CO2) sequestration, and chemical catalysis are discussed. Recent trend of biochar research and development for other applications, such as fuel cells, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage, is also reviewed.
This chapter is intended for readers who have had some background knowledge in microalgal biochemistry, applied chemistry, and thermochemical processing technologies. It offers comprehensive coverage of microalgal biochar production, characterization, modification methods, and potential application to other adjacent fields.