Algal biomass and diesel emulsions: An alternative approach for utilizing the energy content of microalgal biomass in diesel engines

Yanan Xu, Paul Hellier, Saul Purton, Frank Baganz and Nicos Ladommatos

Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 172, issue C, 80-95

Abstract: The use of algal biomass for the production of sustainable biofuels has attracted significant interest due to the fast reproduction rates and high lipid content of many microalgal species. However, existing methods of extracting algal cellular lipids are complex and expensive, with regards to both energy input and economic costs. This work explores an alternative method of utilizing the energy content of microalgae through the preparation of wet algal biomass slurry/fossil diesel emulsions containing up to 6.6% wt/wt algae biomass, using a specific surfactant combination, for direct injection diesel engine combustion of microalgae without prior biomass drying or lipid extraction.

Keywords: Algae/diesel emulsions; Biofuel; Combustion; Chlorella sorokiniana; Diesel; Microalgae; Surfactants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:172:y:2016:i:c:p:80-95

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.03.019

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