Indonesian researchers study local algae strains for renewable diesel

In Indonesia, researchers from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) conducted a study on microalgae for renewable biodiesel development. In the study, there were two types of Indonesian microalgae strains used, Nannochloropsis oculata and chlorella vulgaris. Uniquely, both have the same main growth component but differ in the type of micronutrients (trace elements).

For in-situ method, microalgae cells dried beforehand were given methanol and catalysts and then given treatment and form biodiesel.

As for the ex-situ method, the microalgae dried cells’ lipids were extracted first to get oil. The oil then is converted into biodiesel through the addition of methanol and catalyst. Both methods used high pure methanol to avoid any mixture of water affecting the results.

There are several types of catalysts for biodiesel formation: acids, bases, and nano particles. The choice of catalyst is adjusted to the nature and type of microalgae sample used.

From this research, it was found that microalgae cells given treatments with nanoparticle catalysts produced higher results. Furthermore, the in-situ process is also higher and even faster.