Potential assessment of micro algal lipids: A renewable source of energy

Two microalgal species namely Chlorella vulgaris (C1) and Chlorella sp. (C2) were selected for the viability of bio-oil production. Systematic characterizations of the extracted lipids with proximate, elemental and spectral tecniques have been carried out to measure the composition profile. Thermogravimetry of the wet microalgal biomass, microalgal feed stock and bio-oil has also been performed to analyze their thermal behavior. In addition, scanning electron microscopic pictographs (SEM) were taken for analyzing the microalgal structure before and after the lipid extraction. The fuel properties of the extracted bio-oil were assessed using standard methods and compared to the standards. The bio-oil samples were tested for their remarkable in vitro biological and nuclease activities. In addition, the engine performance using five types of fuels were tested on DI, air cooled Kirloskar DM10 diesel engine of 110 bhp power with single cylinder of capacity 984 cc and emission characteristics were also studied for the bio-oil-diesel blends.132