Abstract
Microalgal phospholipid bilayer contributes to the molar excesses of methanol and high acid concentration required in reactive extraction to achieve high fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield. This study reports an investigation into the effects of pre-soaking Nannochloropsis occulata in methanol at 600:1 and 1000:1 methanol to oil molar ratios prior to acid-catalyzed in situ transesterification at 8.5:1 and 15:1 H2SO4 to oil molar ratios on the FAME yield. The results showed that the pre-soaked Nannochloropsis occulata produced a higher FAME yield at the two tested methanol to oil molar ratios and acid concentrations than the un-soaked, resulting in a reduction in methanol volume and acid concentration. A maximum FAME yield of 98.4% ± 1.3% was obtained for the pre-soaked Nannochloropsis occulata at 1000:1 methanol to oil molar ratio and 15:1 H2SO4 to oil molar ratio. Both the phosphorus mass balance and conversion of the isolated phospholipids into FAME revealed that pre-soaking solubilizes the phospholipid bilayer to some degree, and contributes to an increased FAME yield.
Highlights
IntroductionThe depletion of fossil fuel and the associated negative climatic changes have
Microalgal phospholipid bilayer contributes to the molar excesses of methanol and high acid concentration required in reactive extraction to achieve high fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield
This study reports an investigation into the effects of pre-soaking Nannochloropsis occulata in methanol at 600:1 and 1000:1 methanol to oil molar ratios prior to acid-catalyzed in situ transesterification at 8.5:1 and 15:1 H2SO4 to oil molar ratios on the FAME yield
Summary
The depletion of fossil fuel and the associated negative climatic changes have. Biodiesel is a renewable transport fuel that can be produced from microalgae through reactive extraction (“in situ transesterification”) or a two-step transesterification. In a two-step transesterification, pre-extracted oil from microalgae can be converted into fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) (“biodiesel”) with alkalized or acidified methanol. Production of algal biodiesel via a two-step transesterification usually includes dewatering, conventional drying, solvent extraction, oil degumming, trans/esterification, neutralization and product purification
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