High-pressurizing green algae in third generation bioethanol production
H.B. Aditiya*, H.C. Theofany, M. Yheni
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sampoerna University, Jl. Raya Pasar Minggu, Kav 16, Jakarta 12780, Indonesia
*aditiya.harjon[at]sampoernauniversity.ac.id
Abstract
The effects of fossil fuel combustion are famously concerning. 70% of the global production of carbon monoxide is accounted from transportation sector; the sector in which fossil fuel is popularly being continuously used. As one alternative fuels, bioethanol is a renewable fuel which have attracted many researchers in the pursuit of lowering the dependency on fossil fuel and its negative effects to the environment. In third generation bioethanol production, green algae are deemed to carry high potential as the feedstock due to its ampleness, especially in a tropical country such as Indonesia. In this study the ability to produce fermentable sugars from green algae was observed through high-pressurization treatment. Different treatment pressures were achieved through varying temperature set in the autoclave: 110, 120 and 130oC. The recorded pressure was up to about 500 kPa, and this treatment was also compared with non-pressurizing production method. Samples were analyzed for reducing sugars content through DNS method. Since simple sugars are essential in the fermentation stage, the produced sugars from green algae are the indication of potential as the feedstock in bioethanol production.
Keywords: Biofuel; Renewable energy; Bioethanol
Topic: Mechanical Engineering