Niraj S. Topare

Bio: Niraj S. Topare is an academic researcher from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Biodiesel & Adsorption. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 19 publications receiving 203 citations. Previous affiliations of Niraj S. Topare include Bharati Vidyapeeth University & Maharashtra Institute of Technology.

Extraction of Oil from Algae by Solvent Extraction and Oil Expeller Method

Abstract: Algae are a filamentous waste plant growing in any type of water such as fresh, sea water etc. Normally algae are regarded as a menace in water bodies. Algae oil is an interesting sustainable feedstock for biodiesel manufacturing. There are various methods for extracting the oil from algae, such as mechanical pressing, hexane solvent extraction etc. The paper discusses experimental method developed for the extraction of oil from algae which is obtained from open pond system. It is observed that the solvent extraction method recovers almost all the oil and leaves behind only 0.5% to 0.7% residual oil in the raw material. Because of the high percentage of recovered oil, solvent extraction is found to be an effective method for extraction of oils and fats, but is having disadvantage of being costly as compared to expeller method. An experimental investigation shows that expeller pressing method can recover 75% of the oil from algae. Even though expeller pressing method is an economical method than the hexane solvent extraction method, further to make this method more effective, some modifications in the design of expeller are required which will increase the recovery of oil.

Solid Heterogeneous Catalysts for Production of Biodiesel from Trans‐Esterification of Triglycerides with Methanol: A Review

Abstract: Biodiesel is the main alternative to fossil diesel and it may be produced from different feed stocks such as semi refined vegetable oils, waste frying oils or animal fats. The new process technologies developed during the last years made it possible to produce biodiesel from recycled frying oils comparable in quality to that of virgin vegetable oil biodiesel with an added attractive advantage of being lower in price. Increasing number of researches focusing on the use of solid heterogeneous catalysts for the production of biodiesel provides evidence that these catalysts continue to evolve as viable alternatives. While liquid alkaline metal alkoxides remain to be appealing in the industries, it is expected that solid base catalyst will soon become more attractive due to the economics and environmental concern. Limited researches have shown that the conversion by solid base catalysts was comparable to that of the existing alkoxide system. In this review article various types of heterogeneous solid acids and bases in the production of biodiesel from trans-esterification of triglycerides and their yields and conversion from various catalytic systems are compared.

Sewage/wastewater treatment technologies : a review

Abstract: Users must concentrate their Sewage/Wastewater treatment process to ensure that it complies with regulatory guidelines. The main purpose of Sewage treatment process is to remove the various constituents of the polluting load: solids, organic carbon, nutrients, inorganic salts, metals, pathogens etc. Effective wastewater collection and treatment are of great importance from the standpoint of both; environmental and public health. Sewage/Wastewater treatment operations are done by various methods in order to reduce its water and organic content, and the ultimate goal of wastewater management is the protection of the environment in a manner commensurate with public health and socio-economic concerns. In this article, Sewage/Wastewater treatment techniques, factors affecting selection and design Sewage/Wastewater systems are discussed briefly.

Solid heterogeneous catalysts for production of biodiesel from trans-esterification of triglycerides with methanol: a review.

Abstract: Biodiesel is the main alternative to fossil diesel and it may be produced from different feed stocks such as semi refined vegetable oils, waste frying oils or animal fats. The new process technologies developed during the last years made it possible to produce biodiesel from recycled frying oils comparable in quality to that of virgin vegetable oil biodiesel with an added attractive advantage of being lower in price. Increasing number of researches focusing on the use of solid heterogeneous catalysts for the production of biodiesel provides evidence that these catalysts continue to evolve as viable alternatives. While liquid alkaline metal alkoxides remain to be appealing in the industries, it is expected that solid base catalyst will soon become more attractive due to the economics and environmental concern. Limited researches have shown that the conversion by solid base catalysts was comparable to that of the existing alkoxide system. In this review article various types of heterogeneous solid acids and bases in the production of biodiesel from trans-esterification of triglycerides and their yields and conversion from various catalytic systems are compared.

Biodiesel from Algae Oil as an Alternative Fuel for Diesel Engine

Abstract: Biodiesel has become more attractive recently because of its environmental benefits and the fact that it is made from renewable resources. The world is getting modernized and industrialized day by day. As a result vehicles and engines are increasing. But energy sources used in these engines are limited and decreasing gradually. This situation leads to seek an alternative fuel for diesel engine. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engine. The esters of vegetables oil animal fats are known as Biodiesel. This paper discussed about the prospect of making of biodiesel from Algae oil. Algae are generally microscopic organisms, are generally thought of as simple aquatic plants which do not have roots, stems or leave and have primitive methods of reproduction. Aquatic algae are found in both fresh and marine waters. They range in size from large kelp (meters in length) to those visible only under a microscope. Algae vary considerably in size, shape, and growth form. The Algae contain 2-65% oil with different species. In this study the oil has been converted to biodiesel by the well-known transesterification process and used it to diesel engine for performance evaluation.

Glycerol: Production, consumption, prices, characterization and new trends in combustion

Abstract: The demand for petroleum has been rising rapidly due to increasing industrialization and modernization. This economic development has led to a huge demand for energy, most of which is derived from fossil fuel. However, the limited reserve of fossil fuel has led many researchers to look for alternative fuels which can be produced from renewable feedstock. Increasing fossil fuel prices have prompted the global oil industry to look at biodiesel, which is from renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is produced from animal fats and vegetable oils and has become more attractive because it is more environmentally friendly and is obtained from renewable sources. Glycerol is the main by-product of biodiesel production; about 10% of the weight of biodiesel is generated in glycerol. The large amount of glycerol generated may become an environmental problem, since it cannot be disposed of in the environment. In this paper, an attempt has been made to review the different approaches and techniques used to produce glycerol (hydrolysis, transesterification, refining crude glycerol). The world biodiesel/glycerol production and consumption market, the current world glycerin and glycerol prices as well as the news trends for the use of glycerol mainly in Brazil market are analyzed. The technological production and physicochemical properties of glycerol are described, as is the characterization of crude glycerol obtained from different seed oil feedstock. Finally, a simple way to use glycerol in large amounts is combustion, which is an advantageous method as it does not require any purification. However, the combustion process of crude glycerol is not easy and there are technological difficulties. The news and mainly research about the combustion of glycerol was also addressed in this review.

High quality biodiesel and its diesel engine application: A review

Abstract: The continuous increasing demand for energy and the diminishing tendency of petroleum resources has led to the search for alternative renewable and sustainable fuel. Biodiesel is best substitute for petro-diesel and also most advantageous over petro-diesel for its environmental friendliness. The quality of biodiesel fuel was found to be significant for its successful use on compression ignition engines and subsequent replacement of non-renewable fossil fuels. Conventional biodiesel separation and purification technologies were noticed to yield lower quality biodiesel fuel with resultant excessive energy and water consumptions. Membrane technology showed more potential for effective and efficient separation and purification of biodiesel. This technology need be explored for the attainment of better quality biodiesel fuels. This paper reviews the technologies used for the biodiesel separation and purification, biodiesel quality, and its effects on diesel engines. Biodiesel biodegradability, lubricity, stability, economic importance, and gaseous emissions have been discussed.

Algae biofuel: Current status and future applications

Abstract: An algal feedstock or biomass may contain a very high oil fraction, and thus could be used for the production of advanced biofuels via different conversion processes. Its major advantage apart from its large oil fraction is the ability to convert almost all the energy from the feedstock into different varieties of useful products. In the research to displace fossil fuels, algae feedstock has emerged as a suitable candidate not only because of its renewable and sustainable features but also for its economic credibility based on the potential to match up with the global demand for transportation fuels. Cultivating this feedstock is very easy and could be developed with little or even no supervision, with the aid of wastewater not suitable for human consumption while absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. The overall potential for algae applications generally shows that this feedstock is still an untapped resource, and it could be of huge commercial benefits to the global economy at large because algae exist in millions compared to terrestrial plants. Algae applications are evident for everyday consumption via foods products, non-foods products, fuel, and energy. Biofuels derived from algae have no impact on the environment and the food supply unlike biofuels produced from crops. However, any cultivation method employed could control the operating cost and the technicalities involved, which will also influence the production rate and strain. The scope of this paper is to review the current status of algae as a potential feedstock with diverse benefit for the resolution of the global energy demand, and environmental pollution control of GHG.

Scope of algae as third generation biofuels

Abstract: An initiative has been taken to develop different solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels as the alternative energy resources. The current research and technology based on the third generation biofuels derived from algal biomass have been considered as the best alternative bioresource that avoids the disadvantages of first and second generation biofuels. Algal biomass has been investigated for the implementation of economic conversion processes producing different biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, biohydrogen, and other valuable co-products. In the present review, the recent findings and advance developments in algal biomass for improved biofuel production have been explored. This review discusses about the importance of the algal cell contents, various strategies for product formation through various conversion technologies, and its future scope as an energy security.

Recent advances in biorefinery of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis.

Abstract: Haematococcus pluvialis is one of the most abundant sources of natural astaxanthin as compared to others microorganism. Therefore, it is important to understand the biorefinery of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis, starting from the cultivation stage to the downstream processing of astaxanthin. The present review begins with an introduction of cellular morphologies and life cycle of H. pluvialis from green vegetative motile stage to red non-motile haematocyst stage. Subsequently, the conventional biorefinery methods (e.g., mechanical disruption, solvent extraction, direct extraction using vegetable oils, and enhanced solvent extraction) and recent advanced biorefinery techniques (e.g., supercritical CO2 extraction, magnetic-assisted extraction, ionic liquids extraction, and supramolecular solvent extraction) were presented and evaluated. Moreover, future prospect and challenges were highlighted to provide a useful guide for future development of biorefinery of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis. The review aims to serve as a present knowledge for researchers dealing with the bioproduction of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis.