Thermophysical behavior of three algal biodiesels over wide ranges of pressure and temperature

Abstract

The knowledge of density and viscosity is important both for the optimization of diesel engines operation and the fuel quality specification. To this end, the present work focuses on the study of these thermophysical properties for three algal biodiesels. The samples were produced by transesterification of dry biomass supplied from different microorganisms, the marine strain Nannochloropsis gaditana, the freshwater strain Scenedesmus almeriensis and the freshwater cyanobacteria Spirulina platensis. The protocol of production is detailed. The purity of biodiesels is low, ranging from 63,7% to 68,1% because the produced biodiesel was not purified in order to evaluate the characteristics of the crude biodiesel produced from microalgae. The relative new technique based on a simple process is attractive for an industrial point of view. The (FAMEs) profile of the biodiesels were characterized using a GC–MS technique. The density measurements were performed over expanded ranges of pressure [0,1–140 (MPa)] and temperatures [293,15 (K)–353,15 (K)] compatibles with their engines applications. The isothermal compressibility and the isobaric thermal expansion were estimated within the same experimental range by density differentiation. The cinematic viscosity was also measured for the three biodiesels at atmospheric pressure for temperatures ranging from 293.15 (K) to 353.15 (K). The storage stability of the biodiesels was assessed in terms of reproducibility of the measured properties. Spirulina biodiesel was not affected by oxidation process. Additionally, its density and viscosity values meet the standards specifications that support the use of this production process.