High oil content microalgae selection for biodiesel production

Renewable energy is a long term solution to the energy shortage problem the world is facing. Biomass energy accounts for 47% of total renewable energy produced in the United States. Currently, ethanol from corn and biodiesel from soybeans are the most successful biofuels in the US. Increasing demand for biofuels is putting tremendous pressure on corn and soybean production. There are concerns about the corn ethanol and soybean biodiesel industries competing with feed and food supplies. The objective of the present study was to develop a new biofuel strategy involving production of high oil content microalgae for biodiesel fuel coupled with wastewater treatment and flue gas emission control. In this study, the growth characteristics of selected microalgae in two different photobioreactors and their relationship with removal of nitrogen and phosphorous and consumption of CO2 were investigated. The effects of pH, aeration rates and CO2 supply on mass culture of the selected microalgae were evaluated.