© 2012. Rebecca J. Wilson, Ghada Salama & Ihab H. Farag. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the
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Global Journal of Researches in Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Volume 12 Issue 1 Version 1.0 Year 2012
Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal
Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA)
Online ISSN: 2249-4596 & Print ISSN: 0975-5861
Microalgae Growth in Qatar for CO2 Capture and Biodiesel
Feedstock Production
By Rebecca J. Wilson, Ghada Salama & Ihab H. Farag
University of New Hampshire, Durham
Abstract - Demands for and prices of liquid petroleum fuels are increasing. This challenge is
motivating the development of alternative fuels, like biodiesel from non-food sources. Microalgae
are a promising source of oil feedstock for biodiesel. Growing microalgae indoors uses water,
chemical nutrients, artificial lights, and energy for harvesting, drying and oil extraction. The
economics would be greatly improved if microalgae are grown outdoors in a hot sunny climate
where the light energy is free and the temperature is adequate for growth. Using non-potable
water (such as available and free salt-water) would reduce the water footprint. Open pond
systems have low capital and operating costs and are wellsuited for growing microalgae in salty
water. The ideal location for growing microalgae outdoors is a non-arable land that cannot be
used for agriculture (such as Qatar desert). The purpose of this research is to study the growth of
salt-water microalgae outdoors in Qatar’s hot sunny environment and compare it to indoor
growth. Three Dunaliella microalgae (Bardawil, Parva and Salina) were grown in Persian Gulf
saltwater medium.
Keywords : Biodiesel, microalgae harvesting, Qatar, lipid production, hot climate.
GJRE-C Classification : FOR Code : 090401, 090405
MicroalgaeGrowthinQatarforCO2CaptureandBiodieselFeedstockProduction
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