Algae as a feedstock for biodiesel production in Indian perspective

Abstract

Fast-growing population and transportation sectors have created a need to adopt a socio-economical way to produce and utilize the novel alternative fuel as an energy source all across the world. In the search for new alternative fuel, Biodiesel was found to be a reliable, and a clean fuel, having less tailpipe emission which can improve engine performance and lower the tailpipe emission while reducing the dependency on diesel. In this review, the third-generation feedstock, i.e., Algae has been selected and studied for biodiesel production. Algae has a high oil yield, carbon neutral, and booming nature. The main objective of this research work is the study of biodiesel production and its application on Diesel engine with and without nanoparticles additives. To understand critical importance of production, performance and emission aspects, a comparative study was performed. Analysis of algae as a biofuel from various research work showed that optimum concentration of additives in biodiesel blend can improve the engine performance, such as, BSFC and BTE, and further reduce the tailpipe emission especially NOX. This study reveals performance analysis of Algae as a biofuel and various advantages of using nano additives in biodiesel blends. We believe that this study will help to address the crucial research gap on biodiesel blends and nanoparticles as fuel in compression ignition engine.