PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM FRESHWATER ALGAE

Abstract

The production of biodiesel from micro algal lipids is studied by using newly isolated fresh water algal strains. Four different strains of Chlorococcum, Deasonia, Chlorella and Botryococcus species were isolated. The selection of the fastest growing specie was made through the results of growth kinetic studies when grown under optimum conditions. Chlorella sp. strain S-3 was grown in a large quantity of synthetic algal growth medium. This strain produced a large amount of oil (up to 22% of biomass), which was efficiently extracted by using (i) solvent extraction method through Soxhelet extractor with a 1:1 mixture of n-hexane and diethyl ether and (ii) by centrifugation of sonicated algal cells in liquid medium. By alkaline transesterification of algal lipids, biodiesel was formed as the main product with glycerol as by-product. The physicochemical quality of algal biodiesel was found comparable to conventional diesel.