Microalgal Species Selection for Biodiesel Production Based on Fuel Properties Derived from Fatty Acid Profiles

Muhammad Aminul Islam, Marie Magnusson, Richard J. Brown, Godwin A. Ayoko, Md. Nurun Nabi and Kirsten Heimann
Additional contact information
Muhammad Aminul Islam: Biofuel Engine Research facilities, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
Marie Magnusson: School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
Richard J. Brown: Biofuel Engine Research facilities, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
Godwin A. Ayoko: Biofuel Engine Research facilities, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
Md. Nurun Nabi: Biofuel Engine Research facilities, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
Kirsten Heimann: School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia

Energies, 2013, vol. 6, issue 11, 1-27

Abstract: Physical and chemical properties of biodiesel are influenced by structural features of the fatty acids, such as chain length, degree of unsaturation and branching of the carbon chain. This study investigated if microalgal fatty acid profiles are suitable for biodiesel characterization and species selection through Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) and Graphical Analysis for Interactive Assistance (GAIA) analysis. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles were used to calculate the likely key chemical and physical properties of the biodiesel [cetane number (CN), iodine value (IV), cold filter plugging point, density, kinematic viscosity, higher heating value] of nine microalgal species (this study) and twelve species from the literature, selected for their suitability for cultivation in subtropical climates. An equal-parameter weighted (PROMETHEE-GAIA) ranked Nannochloropsis oculata , Extubocellulus sp. and Biddulphia sp. highest; the only species meeting the EN14214 and ASTM D6751-02 biodiesel standards, except for the double bond limit in the EN14214. Chlorella vulgaris outranked N. oculata when the twelve microalgae were included. Culture growth phase (stationary) and, to a lesser extent, nutrient provision affected CN and IV values of N. oculata due to lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) contents. Application of a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) weighting to saturation led to a lower ranking of species exceeding the double bond EN14214 thresholds. In summary, CN, IV, C18:3 and double bond limits were the strongest drivers in equal biodiesel parameter-weighted PROMETHEE analysis.

Keywords: Nannochloropsis oculata; cetane number; cold filter plugging point; kinematic viscosity; biofuel properties; Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment Evaluation-Graphical Analysis for Interactive Assistance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (29)

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