Biodiesel Production from Chlorella protothecoides Oil by Microwave-Assisted Transesterification

Abstract

In this study, biodiesel production from microalgal oil by microwave-assisted transesterification was carried out to investigate its efficiency. Transesterification reactions were performed by using Chlorella protothecoides oil as feedstock, methanol, and potassium hydroxide as the catalyst. Methanol: oil ratio, reaction time and catalyst: oil ratio were investigated as process parameters affected methyl ester yield. 9: 1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 1.5% KOH catalyst/oil ratio and 10 min were optimum values for the highest fatty acid methyl ester yield.