The production methods of biodiesel from microalgae

There would be two crises in ۲۱ century; energy limitation and environmental pollution. To tackle these problems, renewable sources are the best solutions. One of the renewable and clean sources is biodiesel fuel. Microalgae are the best raw materials for biodiesel production. One of the problem in using microalgae is its high cost, which can be mitigated by developing new technologies in its cultivation and downstream processes such as harvesting, drying, and thermochemical activities. The basic steps in biodiesel produce from microalgae include microalgae culture, lipid extraction, and lipid conversion to biodiesel. In this study, biodiesel production methods and required catalysts were discussed and the factors affecting biodiesel efficiency were introduced. The results showed that the production method and required catalyst depends on the condition and quality of the feed. In the end, Transesterification was introduced as the most suitable method for biodiesel production.