Microalgae Biomass: A Renewable Source of Energy

AbstractSpecies of green and blue algae from water and soil samples were enriched and isolated. The isolated strains were identified as Chlorella, Nostoc, Chlamydomonas Oscillitoria, Anabaena. Chlorella vulgaris a variant was cultivated under optimal conditions to produce biomass as laboratory as well as the site in both bioreactor and open pond systems. Dried biomass with 10% moisture was tested for calorific value by standard methods and the same were in a range of 3000-3500kcal per kg. Biomass was subjected to recovery of oils as well as blended with coal and calorific values were 4200 to 5300 KC/KG. The cultures were grown on large scale at the factory by purging exhaust fumes of boiler containing 9% C02, 30.6mg/NM3 S02 and 36.25mg/NM3 N0x using wastewater with a yield of 0.242g/lit/day in 30m3-pond volume. Biomass was subjected to HTL and the oil recovered was tested for chemical and physical properties. Oil content was in a range of 11.451% with energy recovery of 20.531%. GCMS and FTIR analysis of oil showed presence of fatty acids, aldehydes, alcohols and amides. With higher heating values, the developed strains are in high potential for generation of energy as well as mitigating the GHG