Study of Microalgae-based Methylester as an Alternative Fuel for Petro-Diesel

Abstract

Microalgae are appeared to be one of the important sources of renewable biodiesel. The microalgae are obtained from nearest ponds. The algal oil extracted from microalgae by the Soxhlet apparatus using hexane as solvent. The sufficient yield of algal oil was extracted by repeating the number of cycles. The algal methylester known as algal biodiesel was prepared by transesterification process using an alkali catalyst. The petroleum properties like flash point, aniline point, pour point, cloud point, cetane number, kinematic viscosity and density of methylester of microalgae determined and the properties were compared with the standard values of commercial diesel fuel. Variations were found in properties like kinematic viscosity, aniline point and diesel index. Algal biodiesel was blended in different proportions i.e. 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 60% and 80% with diesel fuel and similar petroleum analysis was carried out and the blend suitable with respect to all properties was studied which will be the proper alternative fuel to save the diesel and reduce some percentage of the exhaust gas to be useful to keep the environment neat and clean.