Biodiesel derived from the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana and Haematococcus pluvialis: Physicochemical and tribological properties
Claudia Sanjurjo, N. Rivera, E. Rodríguez, Ángeles Fernández González, A. Hernández Battez
Abstract
The physicochemical and tribological propertie of two biodiesels derived from Nannochloropsis gaditana and Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae were evaluated, and the impact of their fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) on the aforementioned properties was also evaluated. The H. pluvialis biodiesel exhibited reduced friction and wear compared to the N. gaditana counterpart, attributed to its lower degree of unsaturation and higher content of chain length of 17–18, which enhances the adsorption of stronger and thicker tribofilms. Additionally, the higher ratio of monounsaturated to total saturated FAME content contributed to this outcome. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased the viscosity and increased the end thermal degradation temperature.