Microwave-Assisted Biodiesel Production from Microalgae, Scenedesmus Species, Using Goat Bone-Made Nano-catalyst.

Abstract

The production of biodiesel from Scenedesmus algal oil is one of the best alternative forms of liquid fuel production from biomass to petrol diesel. Biodiesel plays a significant role in the carbon sequestration process during cultivation. Scenedesmus algal species was isolated and cultured in a bold basal medium by using nonheat releasing white florescence (2500lx) for a 12:12-h dark and light cycle. Algae oil was extracted from dried microalgae biomass through a microwave digester-assisted solvent extraction method. Consequently, about 20.8% algal oil per gram was obtained. A waste-based calcium oxide (CaO) nano-catalyst prepared from goat bone was used in the transesterification process. The catalyst was calcinated at 900°C and characterized using FTIR, SEM, EDX, and XRD techniques. The results revealed a mean particle size of 43.96nm with an irregular shape, porous structure, and possession of many active sites. The optimized transesterification process offers an optimum biodiesel yield of 92% at the experimental conditions, i.e., at a reaction temperature of 60°C, 2% (Wt.) catalyst loading and 11:1 methanol to algal oil molar ratio, 1500rpm stirring speed, and 3h reaction duration. The physicochemical properties of the produced biodiesel were tested according to ASTM D6751 standards and are in good agreement.