Physical Properties of Hydrocarbon Oils Produced by Botryococcus Braunii: Density, Kinematic Viscosity, Surface Tension, and Distillation Properties

In automotive engine combustion, particularly in case of compression ignition in diesel engines, physical properties of the fuel have a direct impact on the spray combustion process. The density, kinematic viscosity, surface tension, and distillation properties of triterpenic hydrocarbons extracted from the BOT-22 strain of Botryococcus braunii (called Bot-oil) were measured, and these properties were compared with those of standard diesel fuel. The density and surface tension of Bot-oil were almost the same as those of the diesel fuel. However, the kinematic viscosity of Bot-oil was 55 to 58 cSt at room temperature, which was 16 times higher than that of the diesel fuel. In addition, the distillation temperature of Bot-oil was approximately 430 °C, which was over 100 °C higher than that of the diesel fuel. To attain the properties required for fuel, a cracking technology for Bot-oil must be established.