Biodiesel production from microalgal biomass using bio-nano based approaches

Title : Biodiesel production from microalgal biomass using bio-nano based approaches

Abstract:

The  research  presented -  investigate  microalgal  biomass  as  a potential feedstock for biodiesel production with a particular focus on improving the process  steps  by  using  bio-nano  based  approaches.  Total  of  10  isolated  microalgal strains  were  screened  for  the  biodiesel  potentiality.  The lipid content, biomass and lipid productivity, fatty acid profiling and biodiesel quality parameters were the key criteria for screening the potential microalgal strains for biodiesel production. Among the tested strains, Chlorella  vulgaris KY435609,  Acutodesmus obliquus  KY741858, Scenedesmus  armatus  KY436508  was  identified  as  the  most  potential  strains  for biodiesel  production  and  therefore,  cultivation  of  microalgae  was  carried  out  in photobioreactor.  The biodiesel produced from screened microalgal (A. obliquus, C. vulgaris and S.  armatus)  strains  under  the  optimum  conditions,  displayed  maximum conversion of methyl ester 98.3%, 97.5% and 97.2% respectively. •  Fuel  properties  of  microalgae  biodiesel  obtained  in  this  work  were  in  good agreement  with  ASTM-6751,  EN  1424  and  Indian  IS-15607  biodiesel standards.
Biodiesel production from microalgae involves: 1) Identification and characterisation of microalgal strains, 2) Screening of lipid - profiling of microalgal strains to assess its potential use for biodiesel production, 3) Cultivation of microalgal strains in photobioreactors, 4) Harvesting of microalgal strains using nanotechnological approaches, 5) Biodiesel production using transesterification process, 6) Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the biodiesel produced- from microalgae. The utilization of natural resources- microalgae for biodiesel production presented in this work would contribute in renewable energy generation solving the energy crises and fulfilling the energy demand if the technology is transferred from pilot scale to industrial production.

Biography:

Madhusudan Hiraman Fulekar, M.Sc. (Chemistry), MPhil. & Ph.D (Environment Science), LLB, MBA (HRD), D.Sc. (Life Science) submitted. He is a Environmentalist and he has worked as a faculty – Delhi Technological University, Delhi and University Department of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. He was also a Professor & Head, Life Sciences (Environmental Biotechnology ), University of Mumbai - 2002 to 2011 and as Senior Professor & Dean, School of Environment and Sustainable Development, Central University of Gujarat (2011-2019) & Director Central University of Gujarat. He was also Vice-Chancellor (I/C), Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. At present Prof. M.H.Fulekar is working as Senior Professor cum Joint Director (R&D), Center of Research for Development, Parul University, Gujarat, India.