Morphology and chemical analysis of raw fuel and its combustion residue of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis and synthetic waste blend at a 70/30 mass ratio

¹ Center for Renewable Fuels Research (CRFR), Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia
² Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study delves into the morphological characteristics of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis (SP) and the synthetic waste (SW) ashes generated from co-combustion in a circulating fluidized-bed combustor (CFBC). Specifically, it addresses the ash attributes, including particle size, shape, and structural composition. The research focuses on the morphological and chemical transformations occurring in a 70:30 mass ratio blend of SP and SW during thermal processing in a CFBC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine its surface structure and morphology, which indicated a transformation in particle morphology. The resulting ash exhibited a coarser surface texture, with an average particle size distribution of approximately 3 μm. Chemically, the ash composition showed reduced concentrations of carbon (C), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and chlorine (Cl), elements that predominantly volatilize during combustion, leading to emissions such as CO2, SO2, and fly ash. The residual non-volatile ash components may offer practical applications, potentially being converted into fertilizers and catalytic materials.