Production of Biodiesel From Microalgae

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of biodiesel production from microalgae isolated from the Gulf of Aqaba employing a number of interdependent steps and focusing on the laboratory scale cultures.

Under certain conditions such as high light intensity or rich nutrient medium, producing a few tens to several hundreds of biomass which used to produce biodiesel which is environmental friendly.

Chlorella was isolated from the Jordan Eastern Ghor Canal and cultivated using a certain media. The cells were harvested and micro algal oil was prepared by extraction with n-hexane and the extracted oil was distillated. The transesterification reaction was carried out for one hour and two hours using the micro algal oil, ethanol, and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst under the condition of closed system, at a temperature of 62 c°, and a mixing speed of 500 rpm. The products through the transesterfication reaction were supposed to be biodiesel and glycerin.

Algae has a high capability of absorption  and adsorption  of sulfur up to 9 g/l ,so it can be used to reduce sulfate content in water in the red – dead canal project

Keywords: Biodiesel, Microalgae, Transesterification, Chlorella, Algal oil.