optimization of sustainable biodiesel production from oleaginous biomass.

What is it about?

Biodiesel as a green fuel, acts as a potential candidate to supplement conventional fossil fuels. This research study targets green environment (using biodiesel) and clean environment (reduce wastewater) by producing biodiesel through oleaginous biomasses (Yarrowia lipolytica, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Lipomyces starkeyi) grown on pulp and paper industrial wastewater. Batch culture studies were explored for the potential feedstock of the oleaginous organism by the synthesis of single cell oil and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to design the optimal experimental matrix and identify the optimal process conditions that enhance the FAME yield. To determine the inherent characteristics of the growth of oleaginous biomasses on the industrial wastewater, a data-driven adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is implemented. Y. lipolytica strain cultured shown high biomass concentration of 32.36 g/l with biomass productivity of 5.39 g/l/d was considered for further scale-up for the transesterification process. Results indicated that the maximum yield of 0.48 (g-biodiesel/g-lipid) was obtained under the 2.5 g of lipid dosage with 0.02 g/ml of catalyst concentration by constant stirring at 70 °C. The optimum conditions to achieve maximum FAME yield of 1.154 g/g was obtained at 2.485 g, 70.87 °C and 0.021 g/ml for lipid dosage, temperature and catalyst concentrations, respectively.

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Why is it important?

Most of the energy needs of human mankind are met through fossil fuels. With the rapidly growing population, and depleting oil reserves, there is a constant stress to extract more oil from the earth. This process is not only disturbing the ecological behaviour of earth but also contributing to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, climatic changes and global warming. Since the transportation sector is essential for industrialization and urbanization, so the need for petroleum products never ends. With limited oil reserves and high demand, the cost of petroleum products is rapidly growing. In order to maintain a sustainable environment, an alternative source of energy is necessary. One such source is the usage of biofuels, especially biodiesel, which has similar characteristics as petroleum products . The significant advantage of biofuel is that it is renewable and can be produced in massive quantity from biological sources within a short interval of time. It can be directly used in engines without significant modifications, and it can also be blended with bioethanol, bio-oil and nano-additives in order to increase engine performance and reduce the CO2, oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) and unburned hydrocarbon emission into the atmosphere .

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