Biofuels from Algae

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) are used as alternative diesel fuel originating from renewable sources. The attention is focused on the materials that do not compete with food and feed production. Algae have a significant potential as an alternative biodiesel feedstock. In comparison to other crops, they have the advantage in very fast reproduction cycles, enhanced resistance to high UV radiation doses and higher effectiveness of energy conversion to biomass due to low demands on other metabolic functions. Moreover, they fix waste CO2 very efficiently. The key problem is to destroy the algae cell in order to obtain the oil. In this work, the results of FAME preparation from received algae oils are presented. This study confirms that Nannochloropsis and Chlorella microalgae provide valuable triacyglycerols for the biofuel production. Characteristics of prepared FAME meet the EN 14 214 standard requirements. However, FAME from algae oil may exhibit impaired oxidative stability due to higher level of unsaturation.