Biodiesel production by direct transesterification of microalgal biomass with co-solvent

Yan Zhang; Ya Li; Xu Zhang; Tianwei Tan

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.052

Biodiesel production by direct transesterification of microalgal biomass with co-solvent

Bioresour Technol. 2015 Nov:196:712-5. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.052. Epub 2015 Jul 22.

Authors

Yan Zhang¹, Ya Li¹, Xu Zhang², Tianwei Tan¹

Affiliations

¹ National Energy R&D Center For Biorefinery, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
² National Energy R&D Center For Biorefinery, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: zhangxu@mail.buct.edu.cn.

PMID: 26232317
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.07.052

Abstract

In this study, a direct transesterification process using 75% ethanol and co-solvent was studied to reduce the energy consumption of lipid extraction process and improve the conversion yield of the microalgae biodiesel. The addition of a certain amount of co-solvent (n-hexane is most preferable) was required for the direct transesterification of microalgae biomass. With the optimal reaction condition of n-hexane to 75% ethanol volume ratio 1:2, mixed solvent dosage 6.0mL, reaction temperature 90°C, reaction time 2.0h and catalyst volume 0.6mL, the direct transesterification process of microalgal biomass resulted in a high conversion yield up to 90.02±0.55wt.%.

Keywords: 75% ethanol and n-hexane; Co-solvent; Direct transesterification; Microalgal biodiesel.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biofuels*
Biomass*
Esterification
Ethanol / chemistry
Hexanes / chemistry
Lipids / chemistry
Lipids / isolation & purification
Microalgae / chemistry*
Solvents / chemistry
Temperature

Substances

Biofuels
Hexanes
Lipids
Solvents
n-hexane
Ethanol