Energy Valorization of Marine Algae of the Type Ulva sp. Through the Manufacture of Combustible Briquettes
Keywords:
Briquette, fuel, algae, valorization
Abstract
Algae briquettes today represent a major international challenge in terms of reducing greenhouse gases and the energy transition. They offer a sustainable and renewable alternative to global dependence on fossil fuels. This study aims to valorize macroalgae of the genus Ulva sp., recovered from the pier of the C3 power plant of SENELEC in Dakar, Senegal, into combustible briquettes intended to play a similar role as charcoal and butane gas for cooking. The production method consists of mixing a constant mass of algae powder with a varying percentage (20% to 50%) of a mineral binder obtained from fluosilicic acid, a waste product from Senegalese chemical industries. The formulation yielded four briquette models: BAL50, BAL40, BAL30, and BAL20. Physicochemical analyses as well as combustion evaluations were carried out to assess the quality of the combustible briquettes. The results obtained showed that BAL20 have a lower heating value (LHV) of 2254 Kcal/Kg and a consumption time of 85 min, superior to BAL50, BAL40, and BAL30. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of ash content is highly significant (p = 0.0307 < 5%), indicating a clear influence of ash content on LHV.
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References
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32. Toro-Mellado, F., Piña, F., Baltrusch, K. L., Inoubli, S., Flórez-Fernández, N., Torres, M. D., Contreras-Porcia, L., & Domínguez, H. (2025). Potential applications of Ulva spp. Food Bioscience, *71*(July). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107256
33. Wal, H. Van Der, Sperber, B. L. H. M., Houweling-tan, B., Bakker, R. R. C., Brandenburg, W., & López-contreras, A. M. (2013). Bioresource Technology Production of acetone , butanol , and ethanol from biomass of the green seaweed Ulva lactuca. Bioresource Technology, *128*, 431–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.10.094
34. Yaman, S., & Kucukbayrak, S. (2013). Production of biobriquettes from carbonized brown seaweed. Fuel Processing Technology, *106*, 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2012.06.014
2. Akam, N. G., Diboma, B. S., Mfomo, J. Z., Ndiwe, B., Bôt, B. V., & Biwolé, A. B. (2024). Physicochemical characterization of briquette fuel produced from cocoa pod husk case of Cameroon. Energy Reports, *11*(September 2023), 1580–1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.01.029.
3. Amrullah, A., Farobie, O., Bayu, A., Syaftika, N., Hartulistiyoso, E., Moheimani, N. R., Karnjanakom, S., & Matsumura, Y. (2022). Slow Pyrolysis of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) for Sustainable Production of Bio-Oil and Biochar. Sustainability (Switzerland), *14*(6), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063233.
4. B-m, S., B-m, L., Acevedo, F., Ernstgård, L., Johanson, G., Larsson, K., Palmberg, L., Sundblad, B., Larsson, B., Acevedo, F., & Ernstgård, L. (2004). Acute respiratory effects of exposure to ammonia on healthy persons. *30*(4), 313–321.
5. BA, K., DIOP, E. H. M., TOURE, A. O., & SAMBE, F. M. (2022). Optimization of cristal violet adsorption by calcium silicate waste material. Scientific African, *18*, 01417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01417
6. Baghel, R. S., Suthar, P., Gajaria, T. K., Bhattacharya, S., Anil, A., & Reddy, C. R. K. (2020). Seaweed biore fi nery: A sustainable process for valorising the biomass of brown seaweed. Journal of Cleaner Production, *263*, 121359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121359
7. Bilodeau, M., Barnabé, S., Riverin, L., & Fequet, K. (2022). Potentiel d'intégration des algues marines de la basse-côte-nord dans le mix énergétique québécois. 43–47.
8. Bird, M. I., Wurster, C. M., de Paula Silva, P. H., Bass, A. M., & de Nys, R. (2011). Algal biochar - production and properties. Bioresource Technology, *102*(2), 1886–1891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.07.106
9. Czerwik-Marcinkowska, J., Piwowarczyk, R., Uher, B., Tomal, E., & Wojciechowska, A. (2020). X-ray Fluorescence Techniques in Determining the Habitat Preferences of Species—Ulva pilifera (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) from Montenegro Case Study. Molecules, *25*(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215022
10. Dogmaz, S., & Cavas, L. (2023). Biohydrogen production via green silver nanoparticles synthesized through biomass of Ulva lactuca bloom. Bioresource Technology, *379*(April), 129028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129028
11. François, M., Lin, K., Hussain, J., & Mdlovu, N. V. (2025). Enhancement of biomass energy: thermal conversion , biogas yield , and machine learning insights. Journal of the Energy Institute, *121*(May), 102131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2025.102131
12. Imaniraguha, J., Mushimiyimana, T., Lucas, C., & Condo, A. (2025). Production and characterization of briquettes from Panicum maximum Jacq . ( guinea grass ) and cassava peel waste. Energy Reports, *14*(June), 1043–1050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2025.07.033
13. Jabeen, F., Zil-E-Aimen, N., Ahmad, R., Mir, S., Awwad, N. S., & Ibrahium, H. A. (2025). Carrageenan: structure, properties and applications with special emphasis on food science. RSC Advances, *15*(27), 22035–22062. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra03296b
14. Jo, J. Y., Kwon, Y. S., Lee, J. W., Park, J. S., Rho, B. H., & Choi, W. Il. (2013). Acute respiratory distress due to methane inhalation. Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, *74*(3), 120–123. https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2013.74.3.120
15. Kim, G., Hwan, Y., Kim, I., & Han, J. (2019). Science of the Total Environment Co-production of biodiesel and alginate from Laminaria japonica. Science of the Total Environment, *673*, 750–755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.049
16. Lars Ole Goffeng , Åse Dalseth Austigard, Kristin H Svendsen, Øivind Skare, Elin Einarsdottir, Lene Madsø, K. K. H. (2023). Étude transversale de la fonction neuropsychologique sensorimotrice chez les travailleurs des stations d'épuration et des réseaux d'assainissement exposés au sulfure d'hydrogène lors de la manipulation des eaux usées - PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37742044/
17. Li, C., Liang, Y., Miao, Q., Ji, X., Duan, P., & Quan, D. (2024). The Influence of Microalgae Fertilizer on Soil Water Conservation and Soil Improvement: Yield and Quality of Potted Tomatoes. Agronomy, *14*(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092102
18. Li, G., Hao, Y., Yang, T., Wu, J., Xu, F., Li, L., Wang, B., Li, M., Zhao, N., Wang, N., Liu, C., Huang, Z., Zhou, Y., & Zhao, Y. (2022). Air pollutant emissions from sludge-bituminous briquettes as a potential household energy source. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, *37*(June), 102251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2022.102251
19. Liu, H., Chen, Y., Yang, H., Gentili, F. G., Söderlind, U., Wang, X., Zhang, W., & Chen, H. (2019). Hydrothermal carbonization of natural microalgae containing a high ash content. Fuel, *249*(March), 441–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.03.004
20. Lomunyak, G., Osodo, B., Njoka, F., & Kombe, E. (2024). Heliyon Characterization, optimization and emission analysis of manually-made charcoal dust briquettes with starch , paper and algae binders. Heliyon, *10*(24), e40991. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40991
21. Martial, B., Lemaire, R., & Nikiema, J. (2025). Industrial Crops & Products Insight into the production factors influencing the physicochemical properties of densified briquettes comprising wood shavings and rice husk. Industrial Crops & Products, *223*(November 2024), 120134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.120134
22. Mitchual, S. J., Frimpong-mensah, K., & Darkwa, N. A. (2013). Effect of species , particle size and compacting pressure on relaxed density and compressive strength of fuel briquettes. 2–7.
23. Mkini, R. I., & Bakari, Z. (2018). Effect of Moisture Content on Combustion and Friability Characteristics of Biomass Waste Briquettes Made By Small Scale Producers in Tanzania. International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews, *3*(1), 66–72. www.researchpublish.com
24. Mouga, T., Almeida, M. M., Pitacas, F. I., Rodrigues, A. M., Vitória, C., & Anjos, O. (2025). Elemental and Nutritional Characterisation with Vibrational Spectroscopy Analysis of Ulva sp., Gracilaria multipartita, and Sargassum muticum. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), *15*(8), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15084212
25. Nakato, C., Kaggwa, F., Greef, J. De, Kilama, D., Blondeau, J., & Kawuma, S. (2025). Green Energy and Resources Review of machine learning applications for predicting the quality of biomass briquettes for sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions. Green Energy and Resources, *3*(3), 100130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerr.2025.100130
26. Nations, F. and A. O. of the U. (2024). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture. In Nature and Resources (Vol. 35, Issue 3).
27. Nonsawang, S., Juntahum, S., Sanchumpu, P., & Suaili, W. (2024). Unlocking renewable fuel: Charcoal briquettes production from agro-industrial waste with cassava industrial binders. *12*(November), 4966–4982.
28. Nzihou, A., Ifunanya, G., & Gonz, M. (2024). A review on biochar briquetting: Common practices and recommendations to enhance mechanical properties and environmental performances. *469*(March). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143193
29. Oyebamiji, O. O., Olaleru, A. S., Oyeleke, R. B., & Ofodile, L. N. (2025). Evaluation and characterization of biochar and briquettes from agricultural wastes for sustainable energy production. Waste Management Bulletin, *3*(3), 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wmb.2025.100198
30. Rath, D. P., Mahapatro, A., & Pattanayak, B. (2024). Materials Today: Proceedings Briquette production and performance evaluation from coal and agricultural waste. Materials Today: Proceedings, October 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.12.019
31. Sundaram, T., Kamalesh, R., Saravanan, A., Yaashikaa, P. R., Vickram, A. S., Teena, R. A., & Thiruvengadam, S. (2025). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules Harnessing algal biomass for renewable energy and biofuel production: Current strategies and future insights ☆. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, *319*(P2), 145487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145487
32. Toro-Mellado, F., Piña, F., Baltrusch, K. L., Inoubli, S., Flórez-Fernández, N., Torres, M. D., Contreras-Porcia, L., & Domínguez, H. (2025). Potential applications of Ulva spp. Food Bioscience, *71*(July). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107256
33. Wal, H. Van Der, Sperber, B. L. H. M., Houweling-tan, B., Bakker, R. R. C., Brandenburg, W., & López-contreras, A. M. (2013). Bioresource Technology Production of acetone , butanol , and ethanol from biomass of the green seaweed Ulva lactuca. Bioresource Technology, *128*, 431–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.10.094
34. Yaman, S., & Kucukbayrak, S. (2013). Production of biobriquettes from carbonized brown seaweed. Fuel Processing Technology, *106*, 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2012.06.014
Published
2026-04-15
How to Cite
Ba, K., Faye, M., & Toure, A. O. (2026). Energy Valorization of Marine Algae of the Type Ulva sp. Through the Manufacture of Combustible Briquettes. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 52, 452. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/20904
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2026 Kalidou Ba, Mamadou Faye, Alpha Ousmane Toure
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
