Benan İnan

Biodiesel Production from Chlorella protothecoides Oil by Microwave-Assisted Transesterification

In this study, biodiesel production from microalgal oil by microwave-assisted transesterification was carried out to investigate its efficiency. Transesterification reactions were performed by using Chlorella protothecoides oil as feedstock, methanol, and potassium hydroxide as the catalyst. Methanol:oil ratio, reaction time and catalyst:oil ratio were investigated as process parameters affected methyl ester yield. 9:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 1.5% KOH catalyst/oil ratio and 10 min were optimum values for the highest fatty acid methyl ester yield.

Algal Biorefinery for Biodiesel Production

In recent years, the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, increase in energy demand, global warm‐ ing, increase in price of fossil fuels depends on economic and political behaviors increased orientation to alternative energy sources. In this context, biodiesel that is one of the renewa‐ ble alternative energy sources draws attention because of its useful features such as easily biodegradable and environmentally friendly. However, biodiesel production from oil crops does not meet the required demand of vehicle fuel, and recently it is not economic and feasi‐ ble. It needs to be improved to produce more economically to be able to compete with diesel in the market. Vegetable oils and crops which biodiesel produced from are a kind of human food sources and the shortage on food source cause to go up prices and make the biodiesel high-priced. To meet the requirements, the interest on algae is increased day by day since this technology has potential to meet global demand [1]. Microalgae have higher productivi‐ ty per area and no need for farm field to grow as opposed to oil crops and animal fat. Micro‐ algae use sunlight to reduce CO2 to biofuels, foods, fertilizers, and valuable products. Furthermore, microalgae can be used to get different types of biofuels. Using microalgae as fuel source is not a novel idea but recently the prices of diesel and global warming hit this solution to the top [2].

Utilization Alternatives of Algal Wastes for Solid Algal Products

Recently, there is a growing interest in utilization of algae to produce biofuels and valuable products. In order to use algal biomass effectively and decrease cost of the algal processes, researches on utilization of algal wastes for different purposes are carried out. Valuable algal products can be obtained from algal wastes and used in energy, food and environmental applications. Thermochemical processes are the most common methods for conversion of algal wastes to solid products such as algal biochar and algal activated carbon which can be used as energy source, adsorbent and soil improver. This chapter is especially focused on investigation of conversion potentials of algal wastes, which remain after various industrial processes and producing valuable solid products and also direct usage areas of algal wastes.