Enhanced lipid extraction from microalgae in biodiesel production

Abstract

In order to secure more effective lipid extraction method, this research investigated new lipid extraction method using laser with absorbent and sought its optimum operation control. In addition, this study compared lipid extraction efficiency and FAME conversion rate between laser extraction method at optimum condition and existing extraction method. Results from experiments for optimizing lipid extraction method using laser showed that the maximum extraction efficiency (81.8%) was attained when using laser with an output capacity of 75Wh/L. Extraction efficiency increased up to 90.8% when mic­rowave treatment as pretreatment process was conducted. Addition of absorbents during lipid extraction process with laser showed higher extraction efficiency than laser and chemical method. It was also found that laser extraction method with absorbent had higher total fatty acid content (853.7 mg/g oil) in extracted lipid than chemical extraction method (825.4 mg/g oil). Furthermore, it had the highest FAME conversion rate (94.2%).