Microalgae based biodiesel production using coal thermal flue gas and wastewater in West Bengal : a techno-financial analysis | |
| Author | Bhadra, Sitav |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-17-09 |
| Subject(s) | Microalgae--Biotechnology Biomass energy--India |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | India, one of the most populous countries in the world, consequently is a major greenhouse gas emitting nation. Energy security is another issue for India as it relies heavily on fossil fuel imports. Microalgae based biodiesel production is a technique which is able to address both of these issues. In the study, a suitable site and strain for microalgae biodiesel production were sought using generic methodologies as Budge Budge Thermal Station (West Bengal) and Nannochloropsis sp respectively. The system is defined through a low cost and sustainable pathway- (1) Cultivation: Open Raceway Ponds, (2) Harvest: Nano-Chitosan based Flocculation – Gravity Sedimentation, (3) Drying: Solar Dryers, (4) Biodiesel Production: Direct Transesterification using Organic Solvents. The annual biodiesel productivity was estimated to be around 3,000 –20,000 liters per acre, while fixing 22–65 tons of CO2 per acre annually and a wastewater treatment capacity of 2 MLD. The financial analysis revealed that the biodiesel price may vary from $1.19 - $9.35 depending on the productivity rate. The expected base price ($3.15/liter) is beyond the competitive fossil fuel prices, thus positing the need for further improvements. However, the potential of microalgae for carbon mitigation, value added products and wastewater treatment should not be overlooked. |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salam, Abdul P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Kumar, Sivanappan;Singh, Jai Govind; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017 |