Biodiesel production from the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana: Optimization of the transesterification reaction and physicochemical characterization
Claudia Sanjurjo, Paula Oulego, M. Bartolomé, E. Rodríguez, R. González, A. Hernández Battez
Abstract
The current environmental scenario has encouraged the study of renewable and competitive alternative feedstocks for biodiesel production. Microalgae present a significant opportunity as a feedstock that does not require arable land and can be cultivated using wastewater. The paper investigates the optimization of biodiesel production from microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana bio-oil using response surface methodology and also analyzes the main physicochemical properties of the bio-oil. It was confirmed that this methodology is suitable for materials with low homogeneity. The model is also adequate for determining optimal experimental conditions, resulting in a FAME content of 87.25 %. The biodiesel's physicochemical properties were analyzed. It was discovered that the high degree of unsaturation in the microalgae bio-oil's chemical structure resulted in a narrower temperature range for its application compared to other vegetable sources.