Abstract
In this study, biodiesel production from microalgal oil by microwave-assisted transesterification was carried out to investigate its efficiency. Transesterification reactions were performed by using Chlorella protothecoides oil as feedstock, methanol, and potassium hydroxide as the catalyst. Methanol:oil ratio, reaction time and catalyst:oil ratio were investigated as process parameters affected methyl ester yield. 9:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 1.5% KOH catalyst/oil ratio and 10 min were optimum values for the highest fatty acid methyl ester yield.
Highlights
In recent years, ecologically and politically sustainable development models have been investigated due to the need to meet the high energy demand of an increasing world population, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of global warming at the same time
Experimental results of the transesterification of C. protothecoides oil, which are given in Table 1, were used to statistically evaluate reaction parameters on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield
Jr. eMsoul.ltSsc.i.T20h1e6,h1i7g, h57e9st amount of fatty acid methyl ester determined in algal biodiesel was oleic 6acoifd9 (C18 = 1) in all samples, and it constituted more than 50% of the FAME
Summary
Ecologically and politically sustainable development models have been investigated due to the need to meet the high energy demand of an increasing world population, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of global warming at the same time. Formation of fatty acids in microalgal cells shows a difference from that of normal plants, since desaturation of C18 fatty acids and elongation of carbon chains are the main differences in microalgal cells compared to plant oils [4] Among these fatty acids, oleic acid has a great significance as it provides a balance between the fuel properties of biodiesel [2]. Due to the ability of a high quantity of oil accumulation, large-scale biodiesel production from C. protothecoides has recently been conducted in fermenters by using some additives, such as glucose or glucose corn syrup and glycerol, in order to increase the oil content of microalgae [12]. Novel methods, such as microwave-assisted biodiesel production from microalgae, have been studied to investigate the efficiency. Biodiesel production from algal sources has been previously reported, there are no studies on the investigation of microwave-assisted biodiesel production from C. protothecoides and the transesterification parameters on biodiesel yield. Results were evaluated by using the factorial design technique
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