Techno-economic analysis of biodiesel production over lipid extracted algae derived catalyst

Abstract

The utilization of algal biomass residue after lipid extraction for other purposes can lead to maximum usage of algal biomass and economically beneficial microalgal biodiesel technology. In this study, the performance and economic potential of the conversion of Scenedesmus sp. lipids to biodiesel over lipid extracted algae (LEA) derived catalysts were investigated. The lipid extracted algae (LEA) derived catalysts (Ni/C and Ni/Fe₃O₄-C) were synthesized by impregnation technique and characterized using different analytical tools. The biodiesel conversion of 96.43%, 98.5% and 95.12% was achieved using biochar (C), Ni/C, and Ni/Fe₃O₄-C respectively under the following conditions: reaction time (4 h), temperature (60 °C), methanol to oil molar ratio (30:1) and catalyst dosage (15% w/w of oil). The findings from this study have shown that the use of lipid extracted algae derived catalysts reduced the unit production cost of microalgal biodiesel from 2.03 $/kg to (1.70–1.74 $/kg) when compared to homogeneous catalyst. Among the lipid extracted algae derived catalysts, the use of Ni/C catalyst gave the lowest unit production cost (1.70 $/kg) for biodiesel production from microalgae. The recyclability potential of the LEA derived catalysts could improve the economic viability of the process. The payback period in the range of 1.32 yr–5.57 yr obtained using LEA derived catalysts was below the lifespan of the project (10 years), suggesting that the proposed microalgal biodiesel production is economically feasible.

Keywords:

• Microalgae
• lipid extracted algae
• catalyst
• biodiesel
• economic analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support of the Durban University of Technology.

Disclosure statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.