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 degrees C, which was over 100 degrees C higher than that of the diesel fuel. To attain the properties required for fuel, a cracking technology for Bot-oil must be established. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of International Organizing Committee for AOAIS-1