Biodiesel production from sediments of a eutrophic reservoir

Sediments from eutrophic reservoir Bugach (Siberia, Russia) were tested for possibility to produce biodiesel. We supposed that the sediments could be a promising biodiesel producer. The major reason of high price of biodiesel fuel is cost of a raw material. The use of dredging sediments for biodiesel production reduces production costs, because the dredging sediments are by-products which originated during lake restoration actions, and are free of cost raw materials. Lipid content in sediments was 0.24% of dry weight. To assess the potential of from sediments as a substitute of diesel fuel, the properties of the biodiesel such as cetane number, iodine number and heat of combustion were calculated. All of this parameters complied with limits established by EN 14214 and EN 14213 related to biodiesel quality.

► Dredging sediments were considered as a new feedstock for biodiesel production.
► Lipid and fatty acid content in the sediments were determined.
► Main properties of the biodiesel were calculated basing on fatty acid composition.
► The properties well complied with limits established in biodiesel standards.