Abstract

The aim of the study was to obtain high quality biodiesel production from a microalga Chlorella protothecoids through the technology of transesterification. The technique of metabolic controlling through heterotrophic growth of C. protothecoides was applied, and the heterotrophic C. protothecoides contained the crude lipid content of 55.2%. To increase the biomass and reduce the cost of alga, corn powder hydrolysate instead of glucose was used as organic carbon source in heterotrophic culture medium in fermenters. The result showed that cell density significantly increased under the heterotrophic condition, and the highest cell concentration reached 15.5 g L(-1). Large amount of microalgal oil was efficiently extracted from the heterotrophic cells by using n-hexane, and then transmuted into biodiesel by acidic transesterification. The biodiesel was characterized by a high heating value of 41 MJ kg(-1), a density of 0.864 kg L(-1), and a viscosity of 5.2 x 10(-4) Pa s (at 40 degrees C). The method has great potential in the industrial production of liquid fuel from microalga.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.