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Spectral, In Vitro Biological, Engine and Emission Performances of Biodiesel Production from Chlorella protothecoides: A Sustainable Renewable Energy Source

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Abstract

In this research, microalgae species, Chlorella protothecoides was selected for biodiesel production due to its ability to produce large amount of hydrocarbons and oils with high lipid composition. The extracted bio-oil was characterized systematically by proximate, ultimate, spectral (FT-IR, UV–vis., GC–Mass, 1H NMR and 13C NMR) and thermogravimetric (TG/DTA) techniques. The fuel characterization of the bio-oil was evaluated using standard methods. The bio-oil samples were examined for their notable in vitro antimicrobial as well as antioxidant activities. The engine parameters unlike brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency for three fuel samples namely diesel (B100), microalga biodiesel 20% blend (CB20) and microalga biodiesel 50% blend (CB50) along with their emission characteristics towards CO2, NOx, and HCs were measured.

Graphic Abstract

Chlorella protothecoides micro alga was selected for bio-oil extraction. The bio-oil extracted was characterized by proximate, elemental, spectral and thermogravimetric techniques and their biodiesel potentiality, the fuel properties were evaluated using standard methods, consequently compared to the standards. In addition, the bio-oil samples were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The fuel properties show that the microalgae bio-diesel has a cold filter plugging point (CFPP) around –13 °C with 4.5 h oxidation stability. The micro algal oil produces high efficiency (ηbth), low BSFC with lesser CO, (NO)x and hydrocarbons emissions with a single cylinder, water cooled, DI four stroke diesel engines using algae oil blends which is an alternative to diesel engine. Moreover, CB50 blend has a good combustion and emission characteristics when compared to CB20 and B100 fuels.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (Grant No. 20194110300040 and Grant No. 20173010092470). The authors would also like to acknowledge STIC, CUSAT, Cochin for giving the analytical facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajas Engineering College, Raja Nagar, Vadakangulam, Tamil Nadu, India

    Sundaram Arvindnarayan & Kandasamy K. Sivagnana Prabhu

  2. Department of Chemistry and Research Centre, Mohamed Sathak Engineering College, Kilakarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India

    Sutha Shobana

  3. Division of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Sree Sowdambika College of Engineering, Aruppukottai, India

    Jeyaprakash Dharmaraja

  4. Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam

    Dinh Duc Nguyen

  5. Department of Environmental Energy Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon, Republic of Korea

    Dinh Duc Nguyen & Soon Woong Chang

  6. Energy Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Erciyes University, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey

    A. E. Atabani

  7. Green Processing, Bioremediation and Alternative Energies Research Group, Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Gopalakrishnan Kumar

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  1. Sundaram Arvindnarayan
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Arvindnarayan, S., Shobana, S., Dharmaraja, J. et al. Spectral, In Vitro Biological, Engine and Emission Performances of Biodiesel Production from Chlorella protothecoides: A Sustainable Renewable Energy Source. Waste Biomass Valor 11, 5809–5819 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-019-00888-3

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