Impact-driven environmental and performance evaluation of microalgae biodiesel blends for sustainable micro gas turbine operation: An experimental and life cycle approach

Abstract

The current study aims to develop a concept of using the blended gaseous fuel along with the biofuel blends to reduce the emission of the harmful pollutants without affecting the engine performance. The microalgae biofuel derived from Chlorella vulgaris was examined at the concentration of 10 %vol and 30 %vol with neat Jet-A. The microalgae undergone microwave assisted pyrolysis process to the production biofuel. The produced biofuel dispersed with the Jet-A fuel at the concentration of 10 %vol and 30 %vol to form B10 and B30. In addition to above biofuel blends, the biogas was injected at the concentration of 10 L per minute. The experimental data were analyzed on thrust output, thrust specific fuel consumption, turbine inlet temperature, and emissions of oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Use of the biofuel reduces the production of thrust compared to the Jet-A fuel. This was mainly due to the lower heating value and poor calorific value of the biofuel derived from the microalgae. The results revealed that the use of microalgae biodiesel along with biogas blends improves specific fuel consumption which also reduce emissions of pollutants such as, NOx, CO and CO₂ without any negative effects on the thrust output compared to Jet-A fuel. The fuel blend with 10 % biofuel with biogas exhibited the highest thrust output and lowest specific fuel consumption across various six engine speeds. Meanwhile the B30 blend with biogas blends showed significant reduction in NOx, CO, and CO₂ emissions but there is a potential reduction in the thrust. An additional life cycle assessment further validated the environmental sustainability of the proposed fuel blends by highlighting their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil energy use.