Otimização do processo de cultivo da microalga Chlorella minutissima como fonte de matéria-prima para a produção de biodiesel
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Data
2016-07-05
Autores
Loures, Carla Cristina Almeida [UNESP]
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Editor
Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp)
Resumo
O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com a microalga Chlorella minutissima com o objetivo de determinar as melhores condições operacionais de fotobioreatores tubulares descontínuos, tipo coluna de bolhas, para o crescimento celular e a produção de lipídeos em função das variáveis de processo: fluxo de CO2 na alimentação, concentração inicial de nitrato, concentração inicial de fosfato, suplementação (metais e vitaminas), temperatura e salinidade. Os experimentos foram planejados utilizando a metodologia de Taguchi. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a configuração do fotobioreatores tubulares descontínuos, tipo coluna de bolhas, foi adequada para o cultivo da microalga Chlorella minutíssima, apresentando bons resultados de teor de lipídeos, da ordem de 37,08 ± 1,50 % em relação à biomassa seca ao final de 7 dias de cultivo. Definidas as condições ótimas de cultivo foi realizada uma reação como o óleo obtido, empregando catalisador químico (H2SO4). O resultado obtido demonstrou que o catalisador atuou de forma eficiente, convertendo os ácidos graxos em seus respectivos ésteres de etila. Outro fator importante de ressaltar foi a ausência de pigmentos presente no material lipídico, visto que o óleo extraído apresentou coloração amarelada similar aos óleos vegetais tradicionais, como por exemplo, o óleo de soja. Pigmentos quando presentes no material lipídico podem comprometer a conversão dos triglicerídeos em ésteres alquílicos (biodiesel). Chlorella minutissima apresenta vantagens adicionais perante a diversas matérias-primas lipídicas com presença de pigmentos. Para a avaliação da velocidade de crescimento populacional das microalgas foi considerado o modelo cinético de crescimento logístico. A partir desta investigação, verificou-se que o crescimento celular e a produtividade de lipídeos são significativamente dependentes da concentração inicial de nitrato, do fluxo de dióxido de carbono, da concentração de fosfato, da suplementação do meio e da temperatura. Os melhores valores obtidos, tanto para o crescimento quanto para a produtividade de lipídeos, foram para a concentração de nitrato no nível alto e os demais parâmetros significativos no nível baixo. Dessa forma, a metodologia e os resultados apresentados neste trabalho podem ser úteis na busca pela viabilização econômica da produção de biodiesel de microalgas, uma vez que a produção de biodiesel via microalgas ainda é um processo inviável devido aos custos.
The current work was developed with the microalgae Chlorella minutissima with the aim of determining the best operational conditions of discontinuous-tubular photobioreactors, bubble-column type, to the cell growth and production of lipids in relation to process variables: CO2 feed flow rate, nitrate initial concentration, phosphate initial concentration, supplements (metals and vitamins), temperature and salinity. The experiments were designed using Taguchi methodology. Results showed that the configuration of discontinuous-tubular photobioreactors, bubble-column type was adequate to the cultivation of microalgae Chlorella minutissima, presenting good results in terms of lipid content, of order of 37.08 ± 1.50% in relation to the dry biomass at the end of the 7 cultivation days. Once optimal cultivation conditions were established, a reaction with obtained oil was carried out using a chemical catalyst (H2SO4). Results showed that the catalyst acted in an efficient way, converting fatty oils in its respective ethyl esters. Another important factor worth noticing was the absence of pigments present in the lipid material, considering that the extracted oil presented a yellow color similar to traditional vegetal oils, such as soy oil. The presence of pigments in the lipid content may compromise the conversion of triglycerides in alkyl esters (biodiesel). Chlorella minutissima presents additional advantage in comparison to diverse lipid raw materials with the presence of pigments. The logistic growth was used as the kinetic model to evaluate the growth rate and speed of microalgae. From this analysis, it was possible to verify that cell growth and the productivity of lipids were significantly dependent on the initial concentration of nitrate, carbon dioxide flow rate, concentration of phosphate, supplementation of media and temperature. Best values obtained for growth as well as for lipid productivity were nitrate concentration in the high level and the other parameters were significant in the low level. Thus, the methodology and results presented in this work can be useful in seeking economic feasibility of production of microalgae biodiesel, since the production of biodiesel is currently is not viable due to the high costs associated to it.
The current work was developed with the microalgae Chlorella minutissima with the aim of determining the best operational conditions of discontinuous-tubular photobioreactors, bubble-column type, to the cell growth and production of lipids in relation to process variables: CO2 feed flow rate, nitrate initial concentration, phosphate initial concentration, supplements (metals and vitamins), temperature and salinity. The experiments were designed using Taguchi methodology. Results showed that the configuration of discontinuous-tubular photobioreactors, bubble-column type was adequate to the cultivation of microalgae Chlorella minutissima, presenting good results in terms of lipid content, of order of 37.08 ± 1.50% in relation to the dry biomass at the end of the 7 cultivation days. Once optimal cultivation conditions were established, a reaction with obtained oil was carried out using a chemical catalyst (H2SO4). Results showed that the catalyst acted in an efficient way, converting fatty oils in its respective ethyl esters. Another important factor worth noticing was the absence of pigments present in the lipid material, considering that the extracted oil presented a yellow color similar to traditional vegetal oils, such as soy oil. The presence of pigments in the lipid content may compromise the conversion of triglycerides in alkyl esters (biodiesel). Chlorella minutissima presents additional advantage in comparison to diverse lipid raw materials with the presence of pigments. The logistic growth was used as the kinetic model to evaluate the growth rate and speed of microalgae. From this analysis, it was possible to verify that cell growth and the productivity of lipids were significantly dependent on the initial concentration of nitrate, carbon dioxide flow rate, concentration of phosphate, supplementation of media and temperature. Best values obtained for growth as well as for lipid productivity were nitrate concentration in the high level and the other parameters were significant in the low level. Thus, the methodology and results presented in this work can be useful in seeking economic feasibility of production of microalgae biodiesel, since the production of biodiesel is currently is not viable due to the high costs associated to it.
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Palavras-chave
Microalgas, Chlorella minutissima, Fotobiorreator, Biodiesel planejamento de experimento, Modelagem, Microalgae, Photobioreactor, Design of experiments, Modeling