Biodiesel production from spirulina microalgae oil

Abstract

The present study, experimentally aimed to extract oil form spirulina microalgae then convert it to biodiesel via transesterification process. Different samples are collected from various locations. The samples are cleaned, dried and prepared for the process of oil extraction by soxhlet apparatus. The transesterification process is used to produce biodiesel fuel derived from spirulina microalgae oil, which is then used as an alternative fuel in diesel engine. The methanol along with sodium hydroxide as base catalyst used to minimize the raw oil's FFA content. The transesterification reaction is carried out at (1:6) oil to methanol molar ratio. Then the mixture is kept inside the separating funnel for 12 hours to separate the glycerine from mixture. The produced biodiesel algae methyl ester (AME) is subjected to gas chromatograph analysis as well as FTIR analysis. All the physical properties are measured and compared with ASTM standard.