Evaluation of fuel properties for microalgae Spirulina platensis bio-diesel and its blends with Egyptian petro-diesel

Biodiesel is an attractive alternative fuel for diesel engines due to its technical, environmental and strategic advantages. The most widely produced biodiesel is the esters of vegetable oils, animal fats or waste cooking oils. In this study, the feasibility of biodiesel production from microalga Spirulina platensis has been investigated. The physico-chemical characteristics of the produced biodiesel were studied according to the standards methods of analysis (ASTM) and evaluated according to their fuel properties as compared to Egyptian petro-diesel. Blends of microalgae biodiesel and petro-diesel (B2, B5, B10 and B20) were prepared on a volume basis and their physico-chemical characteristics have been also studied. The obtained results showed that; with the increase of biodiesel concentration in the blends; the viscosity, density, total acid number, initial boiling point, calorific value, flash point, cetane number and diesel index increase. While the pour point, cloud point, carbon residue and sulfur, ash and water contents decrease. The observed properties of the blends were within the recommended petro-diesel standard specifications and they are in favor of better engine performance. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.