Avaliação do potencial de microalgas provenientes de estação de tratamento de efluentes domésticos visando a produção de biodiesel

Abstract

The search for new raw material for the production of biofuel has been in evidence in recent years. With the development of new technologies, the use of microalgae as raw material becomes a viable alternative for the production of biofuel. Compared to the sources of conventional materials, the cultivation of microalgae occupies areas smaller and the yield produced by microalgae oil is superior.The microalgae biomass may also be obtained directly from a system where it is already naturally avaiable, as in domestic or industrial wastewater treatment stations. The present work aimed the evaluation of the potential of microalgae from the CPA III Domestic Wastewater Treatment Station, City of Cuiabá, aiming at the production of biodiesel. Taxonomic and molecular identifications of the predominat specie were performed, this being a cyanobacteria classified as Planktothrix pseudagardhii. Biomass drying e lipids extraction were performed by different methodologies, being drying in kiln the one that showed the better cost-benefit and the of Folch et al adapted by Pescador Zys method of extraction the one that better oil yield. After oil obtainment, it was converted into methyl esters and the fatty acids were analyzed by Gas Chromatography. The main fatty acid identified was undecanoic acid (C11:0). The low content of lipids present in the studied biomass, approximately 1%, as the impossibility refers to your application for the production of biodiesel alone. However, use of such biomass in the development of other products is feasible due to the fact that it has higher percentages of protein and carbohydrates in its composition.