Theoretical Estimation of the Production Potential of Biodiesel from Microalgae at the Talara Refinery

Abstract

This study aims to calculate the theoretical potential that Talara region in Peru has for biodiesel’s production from microalgae, capturing future emissions from the new Talara refinery which is currently in the modernization process (it will produce 2.5 million tons of CO₂ per year). The state of the art in the production of biodiesel from microalgae was investigated, reviewing the research carried out worldwide about biodiesel's production from microalgae, taking as a reference existing plants in Almeria (Spain) and using a mixed culture system: photobioreactor and open pond. The microalgae proposed to be used in the extraction of biodiesel is called Dunaliella tertiolecta. The theoretical plant of this study for biodiesel’s production would allow to obtain 160 thousand tons per year, capturing approximately 300 tons per hour of CO₂ and considering only 30% lipids in the Dunaliella tertiolecta microalgae.