Modeling and optimization of biodiesel production from Chlorella vulgaris in a batch reactor

Abstract

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that is produced by transesterification of oils. Recently, microalgae as inexpensive sources of oils have been used for biodiesel production. In this study, the production of biodiesel from Chlorella vulgaris in the presence of sodium hydroxide as the catalyst is modeled. Then, the model is used to calculate the optimal condition of the process to maximize the biodiesel yield. In this model, the coefficients of the reactions rates are considered as a function of catalyst concentration and temperature, in order to investigate the effect of catalyst concentration and temperature on the production yield. The coefficients of the reactions rates are estimated by using the experimental data available in the literature. The results show that the model can estimate the effect of methanol to oil ratio, temperature and catalyst concentration on the biodiesel yield well. Thus, the model is used to find the optimal condition of the process in order to maximize the biodiesel yield. Results show that the catalyst concentration and temperature have no significant effect on the yield, but the ratio of methanol to oil can increase the yield significantly. The results show that the biodiesel yield of 99.62% is achieved at the optimal condition.