Biodiesel Production from Algae and Waste Cooking Oils via Microwave Ultrasonic Processes

摘要

Microalgae, the third generation biofuel resource, have the potential to become a viable feedstock due to theirhigh oil content and environmental-friendly nature. The major challenge, however, has been the high cost of recovering fee oil from the microalgae prior to converting it into biodiesel. Unlike vegetable oils, releasing oil from algal cells is hindered by rigid cell wait structure. Thus, mechanical crushing seems to be an ineffective way to extract the oils from the algal biomass. In addition, using solvents for extraction may involve expensive separation process. Microwave-assisted extraction or extractive- transesterification could be an alternative to address the above concerns as the ability of the microwaves to penetrate through the cell wall structure may result in an efficient recovery of oils and lipids and successful conversion into biodiesel.