Biodiesel Fuel Production from Microalgae as

Renewable Energy: A Review

Rajeesh.
!
" #r. $ Pra%ash
&
" 'yothi (a%shmi R
)

!. Assistant *rofessor" #e*artment of Mechanical Engineering" M
Ramaiah +nstitute of ,echnology" Bangalore" -arnata%a" +ndia: email:
s.rajeesh.gmail.com
&. Professor" #e*artment of Mechanical Engineering" M Ramaiah
+nstitute of ,echnology" Bangalore" -arnata%a" +ndia: email:
yag*rash.hotmail.com
). Assistant *rofessor" #e*artment of Mechanical Engineering" M
Ramaiah +nstitute of ,echnology" Bangalore" -arnata%a" +ndia: email:
jyothirswamy.gmail.com
The world is confronted with the twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation.
The indiscriminate extraction and consumption of fossil fuels have led to a reduction in petroleum
reserves. Petroleum based fuels are obtained from limited reserves. These finite reserves are highly
Concentrated in certain region of the world. Therefore, those countries not having these resources
are facing a foreign exchange crisis, mainly due to the import of crude petroleum oil. Hence it is
necessary to look for alternative fuels, which can be produced from materials available within the
country. The main advantages of using Biodiesel are its renewability, better uality exhaust gas
emission, its biodegradability and the organic carbon present in it is photosynthetic in origin. !t does
not contribute to a rise in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and conseuently to the green
house effect.
Currently, oleaginous plants like rapeseed, sunflower, palm oil and soybean are the most
important sources of biodiesel. However, the productivity of some of these crops are considered
relatively low and they reuire long extension of lands. Biodiesel is biodegradable, less C"# and
$"x emissions. %lgae have emerged as one of the most promising sources for biodiesel production.
!t can be inferred that algae grown in C"#&enriched air can be converted to oily substances. 'uch an
approach can contribute to solve ma(or problems of air pollution resulting from C"# evolution and
future crisis due to a shortage of energy sources.
!n this context, microalgae has been emerged as a source of natural oil due to its lipids,
starch and hydrocarbon contents.