Over 80% of the energy we use comes from three fossil fuels: petroleum, coal, and natural gas. About 98% of carbon emissions result from fossil fuel combustion. Reducing the use of fossil fuels would significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants produced. Bioenergy is a promising alternative solution because it fixes CO2 in the atmosphere through photosynthesis. It also produces lower or negligible levels of greenhouse gases and other pollutants when compared with the fossil energy sources it replaces. The Laboratory of the Biomass Research Centre (CRB, University of Perugia) is equipped with a photobioreactor, that is used to cultivate microalgae under batch conditions. Tests were carried out a temperature of 22°C and a radiation of 140μE/m2s. Cultures were characterized in terms of pH, biomass produced and lipid fraction distribution. This paper presents the experimental results obtained from cultures of Selenastrum capricornutum, a new promising strain for biodiesel production.
Oil extraction from algae at laboratory scale for biodiesel production
BIDINI, Gianni;PUGLIESE, ANNARITA;BIONDI, LORENZO;FANTOZZI, Francesco
2012
Abstract
Over 80% of the energy we use comes from three fossil fuels: petroleum, coal, and natural gas. About 98% of carbon emissions result from fossil fuel combustion. Reducing the use of fossil fuels would significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants produced. Bioenergy is a promising alternative solution because it fixes CO2 in the atmosphere through photosynthesis. It also produces lower or negligible levels of greenhouse gases and other pollutants when compared with the fossil energy sources it replaces. The Laboratory of the Biomass Research Centre (CRB, University of Perugia) is equipped with a photobioreactor, that is used to cultivate microalgae under batch conditions. Tests were carried out a temperature of 22°C and a radiation of 140μE/m2s. Cultures were characterized in terms of pH, biomass produced and lipid fraction distribution. This paper presents the experimental results obtained from cultures of Selenastrum capricornutum, a new promising strain for biodiesel production.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
