Pyrolysis of Ulva rigida by microwave heating

Pyrolysis of the macroseaweed Ulva rigida was conducted using microwave as eating source which is 2450Hz in frequency and 1kW in power. The gaseous, liquid and solid product was obtained and the gaseous product consists of CO₂,CO,H₂ and CH₄, among which the first appears the earliest and the third appears at the later stage of pyrolysis with the irradiation time. The second component is absent or presents in trace amount, which might be due to the shift reaction spontaneously at the later stage of pyrolysis since hydrogen becomes predominant at this stage. The liquid yield is low, but it contains considerable organic components, including nitrogen containing substance.