Production and Characterization of Third-Generation Biodiesel from Microalgae Oil

Rupak Saha; Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Bhuiya; Md Aminul Islam; Itquan Hossen

doi:10.38032/scse.2026.4.313

Authors

Rupak Saha Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Bhuiya Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Md Aminul Islam Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
Itquan Hossen Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38032/scse.2026.4.313

Keywords:

Microalgae Biodiesel, Chlorella Vulgaris, Transesterification

Abstract

Third-generation biodiesel, derived from microalgae, presents a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels with no compromise on food security or utilization of large areas of arable land. This study deals with the production of biodiesel from Chlorella vulgaris microalgae oil by using a two-stage process, acid-catalyzed esterification followed by base-catalyzed transesterification, and the characterization of the produced biodiesel. Acid esterification of crude oil with 0.8 wt% H₂SO₄ lowered the acid value to 0.46 mg KOH/g, thereby meeting the quality requirements for subsequent transesterification. A maximum yield of biodiesel of about 94.86% was obtained through base-catalyzed transesterification under the reaction parameter of 9:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 1.2 wt% KOH, 55^oC reaction temperature, and 120 minutes reaction time. Characterization of the produced biodiesel and raw oil was performed, measuring density, kinematic viscosity, calorific value, and acid value according to ASTM standards. Overall, it satisfies the international biodiesel specifications given by ASTM D6751 and EN 14214. The results brought out the immense potential of Chlorella vulgaris as one of the most promising feedstocks for high-yield biodiesel production in the quest for sustainable energy.

Downloads

PDF

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] M. M. K. Bhuiya, M. G. Rasul, M. M. K. Khan, and N. Ashwath, 2020. Biodiesel production and characterisation of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) seed oil methyl ester as a source of 2nd generation biodiesel feedstock. Ind. Crops Prod., vol. 152, p. 112493. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112493

[2] K. S. Mehra and V. Goel, 2025. Unveiling next-generation biodiesel Technologies: Techno-Economic and energy breakthroughs for sustainable production. Biomass and Bioenergy, vol. 199, p. 107910. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2025.107910

[3] F. Alam, S. Mobin, and H. Chowdhury, 2015. Third Generation Biofuel from Algae. Procedia Eng., vol. 105, pp. 763–768. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.05.068

[4] L. Brennan and P. Owende, 2010. Biofuels from microalgae—A review of technologies for production, processing, and extractions of biofuels and co-products. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 557–577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2009.10.009

[5] H. Chowdhury and B. Loganathan, 2019. Third-generation biofuels from microalgae: a review. Curr. Opin. Green Sustain. Chem., vol. 20, pp. 39–44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogsc.2019.09.003

[6] I. Hossen, R. Saha, M. M. K. Bhuiya, and N. M. M. Hoque, 2025. Third-generation biodiesel development in Bangladesh: a review of recent trends, prospects, and economic analysis. Futur. Energy, vol. 4, no. 3 SE-Articles, pp. 48–58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55670/fpll.fuen.4.3.5

[7] B. Abdullah, S. A. F. S. Muhammad, Z. Shokravi, S. Ismail, K. A. Kassim, A. N. Mahmood, M. M. A. Aziz, 2019. Fourth generation biofuel: A review on risks and mitigation strategies. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 107, pp. 37–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.02.018

[8] S. R. Medipally, F. M. Yusoff, S. Banerjee, and M. Shariff, 2015. Microalgae as Sustainable Renewable Energy Feedstock for Biofuel Production. Biomed Res. Int., vol. 2015, no. 1, p. 519513. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/519513

[9] Y. Luo, P. Le-Clech, and R. K. Henderson, 2017.Simultaneous microalgae cultivation and wastewater treatment in submerged membrane photobioreactors: A review. Algal Res., vol. 24, pp. 425–437. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2016.10.026

[10] Y. Feng, C. Li, and D. Zhang, 2011. Lipid production of Chlorella vulgaris cultured in artificial wastewater medium. Bioresour. Technol., vol. 102, no. 1, pp. 101–105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.06.016

[11] M. A. Rahman, M. A. Aziz, R. A. Al-khulaidi, N. Sakib, and M. Islam, 2017. Biodiesel production from microalgae Spirulina maxima by two step process: Optimization of process variable. J. Radiat. Res. Appl. Sci., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 140–147. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2017.02.004

[12] M. Kamil, K. M. Ramadan, O. I. Awad, T. K. Ibrahim, A. Inayat, and X. Ma, 2019. Environmental impacts of biodiesel production from waste spent coffee grounds and its implementation in a compression ignition engine. Sci. Total Environ., vol. 675, pp. 13–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.156

[13] A. Renita A, N. Sreedhar, and M. Peter D, 2014. Optimization of algal methyl esters using RSM and evaluation of biodiesel storage characteristics,” Bioresour. Bioprocess., vol. 1, no. 1, p. 19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-014-0019-3

[14] A. Garg and S. Jain, 2020. Process parameter optimization of biodiesel production from algal oil by response surface methodology and artificial neural networks. Fuel, vol. 277, p. 118254. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118254

[15] A. G. M. B. Mustayen, M. G. Rasul, X. Wang, M. M. K. Bhuiya, M. Negnevitsky, and J. Hamilton, 2022. Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Engine Performance and Emissions Fuelled with Jojoba Biodiesel. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15176282

[16] U. Rajak, P. Nashine, and T. N. Verma, 2019. Assessment of diesel engine performance using spirulina microalgae biodiesel. Energy, vol. 166, pp. 1025–1036. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.10.098

[17] S. Kumar, M. K. Singhal, and M. P. Sharma, 2025. Utilization of mixed oils for biodiesel preparation: a review. Energy Sources, Part A Recover. Util. Environ. Eff., vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 4811–4844. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2021.1884771

[18] T. Devi, Gurunathan Baskar, and Ravichandran Pravin, 2025. Process optimization and kinetics of biodiesel production from microalgal oil using potassium doped biochar heterogeneous catalyst. Energy Environ., vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 2087–2110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305X241300430

[19] O. Awogbemi and D. A. Desai, 2025. Recent advances in purification technologies for biodiesel-derived crude glycerol. Int. J. Ambient Energy, vol. 46, no. 1, p. 2533373. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2025.2533373

[20] A. L. R. Santos, E. S. Marinho, J. R. B. Neto, B. A. Sousa, I. M. Figueredo, F. M. T. Luna, C. L. C. Junior, T. L. Nascimento, M. A. S. Rios, P. D. K. Neto, 2024. Study of molecular arrangement and density estimation of soybean oil biodiesel-diesel blends employing molecular dynamic simulation. Fuel, vol. 377, p. 132760. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132760

[21] J. A. Rashd, J. Lalung, M. A. Kassim, D. Wijaya, A. M. M. Allzrag, and M. A. Shaah, 2024. Kinetics and thermodynamic studies on biodiesel synthesis via Soxhlet extraction of Scenedesmus parvus algae oil. Energy Convers. Manag. X, vol. 23, p. 100633. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100633

[22] G. Sánchez-Rodríguez, J. Domenzaín-González, F. J. Verónico-Sánchez, H. I. Pérez-López, A. Zúñiga-Moreno, and O. Elizalde-Solis, 2025. Density and Viscosity in Biodiesel + Diesel Mixtures from Recycled Feedstocks. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15073812

[23] H. V, S. R, G. John, N. Kailiappan, V. Kumar, S. Kumar, S. Kumar. E, K. Priya, 2025. Enhanced combustion and emission characteristics of diesel-algae biodiesel-hydrogen blends in a single-cylinder diesel engine,” Results Eng., vol. 26, p. 104676. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104676

[24] C. Ong’era, B. Gathitu, S. Murunga, P. Kuloba, and J. Gathirwa, 2023. Evaluation of flash point and calorific value of nanostructured rapeseed oil biodiesel as an automotive fuel. J. Agric. Sci. Technol., vol. 23, no. 1 SE-Articles, pp. 115–124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/jagst.v23i1.8

[25] D. Chandran, N. H. A. Ngadiman, R. Raviadaran, M. R. Ismail, M. Salim, and O. D. Samuel, 2024. Corrosion of copper exposed to water-in biodiesel-diesel emulsion fuel stabilized with polyglycerol polyricinoleate emulsifier. Results Eng., vol. 22, p. 102345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102345

[26] M. Z. Yameen, D. Juchelkova, S. R. Naqvi, T. Noor, A. M. Ali, K. Shahzad, M. I. Rashid, A. B. Mahpudz, 2024. Biodiesel production from marine macroalgae Ulva lactuca lipids using novel Cu-BTC@AC catalyst: Parametric analysis and optimization. Energy Convers. Manag. X, vol. 23, p. 100628. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100628