Microwave-assisted transesterification of macroalgae

Abstract

Nowadays microwave radiation is being researched to produce biodiesel from different raw materials due to the many advantages that this technology presents compared to traditional transesterification, such as shorter reaction times and less amount of heat energy to obtain biodiesel. The aim of this research was to explore the possibility of carrying out the microwave-assisted transesterification of macroalgae and compare the results with the traditional transesterification. For that reason, some experiences were conducted using sunflower oil and macroalgae as raw material. Based on the obtained results, the best conditions for microwave-assisted transesterification reaction were macroalgae to methanol ratio of 1:15 (wt/vol), sodium hydroxide concentration of 2 wt % and reaction time of 3 min. © 2012 by the authors.