IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v250y2025ics0960148125010067.html

Utilization of the Dunaliella salina microalgae by transesterification process with NaOH as catalyst in diesel combustion

Author

Listed:
  • Sun, Hanzheng
  • Devanesan, Sandhanasamy
  • Aljawdah, Hossam M.
  • M, Rithika
  • Jhanani, G.K.

Abstract

The invention of biodiesel has reduced dependence on fossil fuels which have traditionally dominated energy production. Concerns about the depletion of petroleum resources have led to research into alternative fuels, with biofuels from microalgae including Dunaliella salina gained attention owing to its environmental benefits. In this study, tests were conducted experimentally in a single-cylinder, water-cooled, compression-ignition diesel engine. The constant load was maintained throughout the testing procedure at 100 %. Tests evaluated the biodiesel blends' performance, vibration, noise, emission, and combustion characteristics. The microalgae selected for the biodiesel preparation was Dunaliella salina (DS) which is an green algae in salt water. Microalgae blends were prepared using a transesterification process with NaOH as the catalyst. Different proportions of DS biodiesel were made and used to conduct experimental tests. The test results from the taken biodiesel were compared with the test results of pure diesel. The engine speed was varied from 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm in 500 rpm intervals, starting at 1000 rpm, then 1500 rpm, followed by 2000 rpm, then 2500 rpm, and concluding at 3000 rpm. The used fuels were pure diesel (D100), DSB10 % (diesel 90 %+DS biodiesel 10 %), DSB20 % (diesel 800 %+DS biodiesel 20 %), and DSB30 % (diesel 70 %+DS biodiesel 30 %). As the concentration of biodiesel was increased, its performance also improved. Additionally, the increased oxygen content from the biodiesel enhanced the combustion rate. Results showed that Brake thermal efficiency output was highest for DSB0 %. BTE was higher for the biodiesel blends in range between 2000 and 2500 rpm due to the higher oxygen content which ensures high combustion. Brake specific fuel consumption increased with higher biodiesel content and engine speeds. CO emissions were lower for the biodiesel blends due to more complete combustion, while CO2 and NOx emissions were higher, especially at higher engine speeds owing to its higher combustion temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Hanzheng & Devanesan, Sandhanasamy & Aljawdah, Hossam M. & M, Rithika & Jhanani, G.K., 2025. "Utilization of the Dunaliella salina microalgae by transesterification process with NaOH as catalyst in diesel combustion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:250:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125010067
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123344
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148125010067
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2025.123344?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Renato Lemm & Raphael Haymoz & Astrid Björnsen Gurung & Vanessa Burg & Tom Strebel & Oliver Thees, 2020. "Replacing Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Power with Renewable Energy: Utopia or Valid Option? A Swiss Case Study of Bioenergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Su, Chi Wei & Song, Xin Yue & Dou, Junyi & Qin, Meng, 2025. "Fossil fuels or renewable energy? The dilemma of climate policy choices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    3. Masera, Kemal & Hossain, Abul Kalam, 2023. "Advancement of biodiesel fuel quality and NOx emission control techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    4. Rajak, Upendra & Nashine, Prerana & Verma, Tikendra Nath, 2019. "Assessment of diesel engine performance using spirulina microalgae biodiesel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 1025-1036.
    5. Forsberg, C.W. & Dale, B.E. & Jones, D.S. & Hossain, T. & Morais, A.R.C. & Wendt, L.M., 2021. "Replacing liquid fossil fuels and hydrocarbon chemical feedstocks with liquid biofuels from large-scale nuclear biorefineries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    6. Goh, Brandon Han Hoe & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Cheah, Mei Yee & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Yu, Kai Ling & Mahlia, Teuku Meurah Indra, 2019. "Sustainability of direct biodiesel synthesis from microalgae biomass: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 59-74.
    7. Tizvir, A. & Shojaeefard, M.H. & Zahedi, A. & Molaeimanesh, G.R., 2022. "Performance and emission characteristics of biodiesel fuel from Dunaliella tertiolecta microalgae," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 552-561.
    8. Abdullah, Bawadi & Syed Muhammad, Syed Anuar Faua’ad & Shokravi, Zahra & Ismail, Shahrul & Kassim, Khairul Anuar & Mahmood, Azmi Nik & Aziz, Md Maniruzzaman A., 2019. "Fourth generation biofuel: A review on risks and mitigation strategies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 37-50.
    9. Li, Yuhui & Huang, Yinmin & Chen, Hanyu & Wei, Feng & Zhang, Zunhua & Zhou, Mengni, 2024. "Combustion and emission of diesel/PODE/gasoline blended fuel in a diesel engine that meet the China VI emission standards," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    10. Oza, Suvik & Kodgire, Pravin & Kachhwaha, Surendra Singh & Lam, Man Kee & Yusup, Suzana & Chai, Yee Ho & Rokhum, Samuel Lalthazuala, 2024. "A review on sustainable and scalable biodiesel production using ultra-sonication technology," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Karishma, Shaik Mullan & Rajak, Upendra & Naik, B. Kiran & Dasore, Abhishek & Konijeti, Ramakrishna, 2022. "Performance and emission characteristics assessment of compression ignition engine fuelled with the blends of novel antioxidant catechol-daok biodiesel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    2. Hasannia, Saeed & Kazemeini, Mohammad & Tamtaji, Mohsen & Mirzaeian, Mahan, 2025. "An environmentally friendly biodiesel Production: Computational and experimental investigations of ZnO-based catalysts for enhanced olive oil conversion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    3. Tanvir, Rahamat Ullah & Zhang, Jianying & Canter, Timothy & Chen, Dick & Lu, Jingrang & Hu, Zhiqiang, 2021. "Harnessing solar energy using phototrophic microorganisms: A sustainable pathway to bioenergy, biomaterials, and environmental solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    4. Shokravi, Zahra & Shokravi, Hoofar & Atabani, A.E. & Lau, Woei Jye & Chyuan, Ong Hwai & Ismail, Ahmad Fauzi, 2022. "Impacts of the harvesting process on microalgae fatty acid profiles and lipid yields: Implications for biodiesel production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    5. Zhang, Bing & Li, Wei & Guo, Yuan & Zhang, Zhiqiang & Shi, Wenxin & Cui, Fuyi & Lens, Piet N.L. & Tay, Joo Hwa, 2020. "Microalgal-bacterial consortia: From interspecies interactions to biotechnological applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    6. repec:rjr:romjef:v::y:2025:i:3:p:5-23 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Song, Yue & Zhou, Yu & Li, Xueyu & Zhong, Zhiming & Yan, Huansong & Xu, Zheng & Ding, Shuiting, 2025. "Investigation on cycle modes and energy distribution strategies of a novel combined cycle aviation engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    8. Ren, Hong-Yu & Song, Qingqing & Liu, Bing-Feng & Song, Xueting & Gao, Shan & Ren, Nan-Qi & Kong, Fanying, 2025. "New insights into efficient lipid production and decolorization of Congo red by microalgae under anaerobic environment: Performance and degradation mechanisms," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    9. Upendra Rajak & Abhishek Dasore & Prem Kumar Chaurasiya & Tikendra Nath Verma & Prerana Nashine & Anil Kumar, 2023. "Effects of microalgae -ethanol-methanol-diesel blends on the spray characteristics and emissions of a diesel engine," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 1-22, January.
    10. Dou, Junyi & Li, Kun & Qin, Meng & Albu, Lucian Liviu, 2025. "Towards energy security: Could renewable energy endure uncertainties in the energy market?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 461-474.
    11. Lau, Allen K.S. & Bilad, M.R. & Nordin, N.A.H.M. & Faungnawakij, Kajornsak & Narkkun, Thanitporn & Wang, David K. & Mahlia, T.M.I. & Jaafar, Juhana, 2020. "Effect of membrane properties on tilted panel performance of microalgae biomass filtration for biofuel feedstock," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    12. Aloisio S. Nascimento Filho & Rafael G. O. dos Santos & João Gabriel A. Calmon & Peterson A. Lobato & Marcelo A. Moret & Thiago B. Murari & Hugo Saba, 2022. "Induction of a Consumption Pattern for Ethanol and Gasoline in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-11, July.
    13. Mahlia, T.M.I. & Syazmi, Z.A.H.S. & Mofijur, M. & Abas, A.E. Pg & Bilad, M.R. & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Silitonga, A.S., 2020. "Patent landscape review on biodiesel production: Technology updates," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    14. Meng Qin & Hongfang Jiang & Lidong Pang & Chiwei Su, 2025. "Is Oil Really a Stumbling Block to Environmental Sustainability? From the Price Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, February.
    15. Groppi, Daniele & Pastore, Lorenzo Mario & Nastasi, Benedetto & Prina, Matteo Giacomo & Astiaso Garcia, Davide & de Santoli, Livio, 2025. "Energy modelling challenges for the full decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    16. Zhou, Jianwen & Xu, Jiandong & Hu, Junhui, 2025. "A compact and homologously excited hybrid energy harvester to scavenge fluid kinetic energy in pipelines for powering low-power sensor systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    17. Piran, Samira & Kazemeini, Mohammad & Mohebolkhames, Erfan & Tamtaji, Mohsen, 2024. "Experimental and computational investigations of biodiesel production from castor oil using Li-doped salmon fish bone-supported lanthanum oxide catalyst in a micro-reactor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    18. Yi WANG & Yiting XU & Yufei ZHONG, 2025. "Does Artificial Intelligence Invariably Enhance ESG Performance?," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(2), pages 24-40, July.
    19. Alfredas Rimkus & Edward Kozłowski & Tadas Vipartas & Saugirdas Pukalskas & Piotr Wiśniowski & Jonas Matijošius, 2025. "Emission Characteristics of Hydrogen-Enriched Gasoline Under Dynamic Driving Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-22, February.
    20. Renas Hasan Saeed Saeed & Youssef Kassem & Hüseyin Çamur, 2019. "Effect of Biodiesel Mixture Derived from Waste Frying-Corn, Frying-Canola-Corn and Canola-Corn Cooking Oils with Various ‎Ages on Physicochemical Properties," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-26, September.
    21. Michael, Michael & Vanness, Vanness & Henry, Henry & Tjandra, Thiodorus Marvin & Kristian, Kelvin & Nasution, Juan Akmal & Masytha, Masytha & Sidabutar, Rivaldi & Trisakti, Bambang & Irvan, Irvan & Da, 2026. "Microalgae for sustainable biodiesel and omega-3: A comprehensive review of production, processing, and implementation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 226(PC).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:250:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125010067. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.