Optimisation of performance parameters for biodiesel production with slow pyrolysis using response surface methodology

ABSTRACT

Affordable energy directly contributes to increase productivity, reducing poverty and improving betterment of life. Consumption of fossil fuels is responsible for unexpected seasonal changes, pollution and related issues, imbalance in the ecological level of the earth, etc. Replacement of petroleum-derived fuel by biodiesel derived from crops may be one of the possible solutions without unfavourably affecting the crisis of food for automobiles and for power generation sectors. Present research aims to extract biodiesel as a sustainable fuel using slow pyrolysis according to Indian technological perceptions. Algae (Cladophora Glomerata sp.) samples were collected, washed in clean water, dewatered and were dried using natural sunlight. Heating mantle temperature, cooling fluid temperature and mass of algae are independent variables during the performance. From 100 g dry algae powder, approximate 22 ml by volume green crude is obtained. No chemicals were used in the entire process for the extraction of crude.

KEYWORDS:

• Algae
• green crude
• pollution
• pyrolysis
• energy

Acknowledgements

We are also thankful to Prof. P. D. Solanki for his unconditional support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.