Author/Authors :
?lvarez، P. نويسنده Chemical Engineering Department, EEI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain , , Salgueiro، J. L. نويسنده Chemical Engineering Department, EEI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain , , Pérez، L. نويسنده Chemical Engineering Department, EEI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain , , Cancela، A. نويسنده Chemical Engineering Department, EEI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain , , S?nchez، A. نويسنده Chemical Engineering Department, EEI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain , , Ortiz، L. نويسنده Natural Resources and Environment Engineering Department, EUET Forestry, University of Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain ,
Abstract :
Microalgae are one of the most promising feedstock for the biofuels production. However, high
cost associated with the different stages involved in the transformation process is one cause of uncompetitiveness
price of biofuels, compared with fossil fuels like diesel oil or gasoline. In this research, the potential of Chlorella
Vulgaris microalgae for the production of two fuels, biodiesel and stove pellets, has been analyzed. Results
showed that an efficient harvesting of algal biomass was achieved using inorganic flocculants, especially Aluminium
chloride (AlCl3) which achieved more than 95% biomass recovery. Moreover, data obtained demonstrated
that simultaneous application of microwaves and ultrasounds extracted more than twice lipids than only
ultrasounds. Biodiesel conversions between 12 and 27% based on dry weight, were reached. Additionally, the
algal residue generated in biodiesel production process has been used for making stove pellets. The analysis of
their properties corroborated that algal pellets can be used as fuel in biomass stoves.
