International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 07 | July-2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Environmental Engineering for enhancing the suitability of a microalga for energy production Ms. Vijetna Singh1 and Ms. Alka Thakur2 1M.
Tech. Research Scholar, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sri Satya Sai University of Technology and Medical Sciences, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, India 2Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Sri Satya Sai University of Technology and Medical Sciences, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract - Microalgae are considered as potential source
production [2], which adversely affect the atmosphere. Therefore, the demand of biofuels is the necessity in today’s scenario as it is made from non-toxic, biodegradable and renewable resources and provides environmental benefits [3]. The use of biofuel leads to decrease in harmful emission of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter and to the elimination of SOx emissions with consequent decrease in Green House effect [3]. The type of alternative sources of energy includes, hydroelectricity, energy generated from nuclear, wave and wind power and biological material [4].
of renewable energy generation. Algal biomass is used as key feedstock for renewable energy generation using algal resources. Accumulation of biomass mostly depends on the growth rate, which is usually regulated by pH and salinity. Present study was conducted to study the effect of variation in pH and saline ranges on growth, biomass and lipid content of a freshwater microalga Chlorella vulgaris. The growth, biomass and lipid content showed a significant difference due to the variation in pH and saline range. The growth and lipid content was maximum at pH 7.0 with compared to 6, 8 and 9. On the other hand an increase of salinity from 0.1M to 0.25 M caused decreased growth rate, whereas the lipid content showed an increasing trend.
Among alternative resources of energy production, biological resources have received considerable attention. Many countries are harnessing the potential of biological resources for energy production. Jatropha and other similar seed plants have been widely recognized as sources of bioenergy, but cultivation of such plants may compromise the agricultural land. Therefore, scientists are considering algae as next generation sources of biological energy [5].
Key Words: Biomass, Chlorella vulgaris, Growth, Lipids, Microalgae, pH, Salinity. 1. INTRODUCTION Human civilization is facing several inter connected challenges such as energy supply, food security, health, among them uninterrupted energy (electricity) supply is the major cause of concern due its imp in every aspect of human life. Global energy particularly electricity generation is mainly dependent on non-renewable resources which are depleting gradually. On the other hand global energy requirement is increasing at an alarming rate to meet the continuously growing demand of energy (electricity) supply of the word, alternate and renewable sources of energy or electricity production are being considered. Solar and wind energy are key sources of renewable power (electricity production) however a more efficient and eco-friendly way to gene rate energy which is based on biological resources is still in fancy state few countries are however successfully harnessing biological energy but extensive research are still warranted to standardized and effectively biological resources of electricity production.
Production of biodiesel using microalgal biomass appears to be viable alternative. Microalgae are diverse group of prokaryotic and eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms that grow rapidly due to their simple structure [6]. Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic organisms, which uses sunlight and CO2 for production of biomass they are considered having more photosynthetic efficiency than plants (7, 8, 9]. Rapid growth, large biomass and greater accumulation of lipid content in the algal cell are the important criteria for considering the algal species as potential sources of energy. In this context, the present study is aimed to enhanced the growth rate, biomass production and lipid accumulation in a common freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris through ecological engineering e. g. manipulation of external pH and salinity.
The continued use of fossil fuel has now recognized as unsustainable because of depleting supplies and accumulation of CO2 and other Greenhouse gases [1]. The combustion of fossil fuel leads to 73% of CO2
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