Production of biodiesel from marine algae

Dr. Truong Vinh and colleagues at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City have obtained research results showing that Chlorella seaweed has many potential applications in Vietnam, a rich biodiesel production source without invading food security. other biodiesel crops.

Dr.Truong Vinh talked about the prospect of biodiesel production from marine algae in a workshop on biofuel extraction.Photo: V.Giang

In particular, algae can exist anywhere with sufficient light, including wilderness, saltwater, and wastewater, and are capable of cleaning up the waste water environment.

To grow algae, just light, CO2, water and nutrients can be chemical fertilizers or manure. Breeding algae are often cultured in a laboratory, which can later be transferred to tanks or ponds for rearing.

In addition to using microalgae to produce fuel, dry algae dust can be used to burn diesel engines instead of coal dust. In particular, algae with a high oil content can be used to extract oil.

Study on using algae source like Chlorella in water, supplied from Department of Fisheries of Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City, Department of Fisheries of Can Tho University and National Center of Southern Seed.

The experiment showed that Chlorella algae gave the oil a dark yellow color, the yield of converting oil to biodiesel was 97% after 2 hours of reaction.

Worldwide, Chlorella algae has been studied by many authors to produce biodiesel fuel. The idea of ​​producing Biodisel from microalgae is long (Chisti Y, 1980). In 1994, Roessler and his collaborators studied biodiesel production from microalgae, after which other authors studied.

Algae are grown in a laboratory.Photo: V.Giang

Oil content in algae averages in the world, according to Chisti from 15-77% depending on species. Through the experiments of the research group of Nong Lam University, the content of oil in algae in Vietnam is still low, it needs to take steps to improve the oil content.

According to calculations by US scientists, using microalgae better than other oil crops because the oil yield is 19 - 23 times higher on the same land area.

Dr. Truong Vinh proposed, should enter algae high oil content to the fisheries units to study and deploy the cultivation of saline and wild areas. At the same time, it is necessary to study the application of photosynthesis equipment, oil extraction to self-manufacture, reduce the cost of biodiesl production in the future.

The production of biodiesl from algae does not compete with soil for food and contributes to reducing greenhouse gases to clean the environment. According to the research team, this is a way forward that many countries around the world have gone.