The gasification of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris under an atmosphere of argon and water vapor was
investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The data were interpreted by using conventional isoconversional
methods and also by the independent parallel reaction (IPR) model, in which the degradation is
considered to happen individually to each pseudo-component of biomass (lipid, carbohydrate and protein).
The IPR model allows obtaining the kinetic parameters of the degradation reaction of each component.
Three main stages were observed during the gasification process and the differential
thermogravimetric curve was satisfactorily fitted by the IPR model considering three pseudocomponents.
The comparison of the activation energy values obtained by the methods and those found in the literature
for other microalgae was satisfactory. Quantification of reaction products was performed using online gas
chromatography. The major products detected were H2, CO and CH4, indicating the potential for producing
fuel gas and syngas from microalgae.