Dolly Wattal Dhar)BAGUL SAMADHAN YUVRAJ2018-09-052018-09-052017http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810071977t9673Increased demand for fuel have challenged many researchers to ponder over environment friendly alternative fuel by using different feedstocks and waste water resources as a growing medium. The objective of the present study was to assess the efficiency of selected microalgal genera to remove nutrients and grow efficiently in secondary treated sewage waste waters. The biomass thus, obtained can have potential in the area of biodiesel production. The three microalgal genera namely Chlamydomonas sp., Chlorococcum sp. and Chlorella sp. were able to grow in waste waters collected from two sites namely Nirankari Coronation Pillar Plant and Okhala Sewage Treatment Plant, Delhi, India during rainy, winter and summer seasons. These microalgal exhibited high lipid production in waste waters, and were able to remove nutrients from such waters. They also showed removal efficiency of more than 70% for NH4-N and 60% for PO4-P. The removal efficiency for NO3-N was also significant. The lipid rich Chlorella sp. was subsequently cultivated in waste water collected from Okhla Sewage Treatment Plant. The biomass harvested was used for the extraction of lipids and subsequent transesterification to form biodiesel. The biodiesel obtained was analysed in terms of FAME profile. After transesterification, the yield of FAME was 80.8% with major fatty acids as palmitic, linoleic, oleic and linolenic. The physical parameters predicted from empirical equations on the basis of fatty acid methyl esters showed cetane number as 56.5, iodine value of 75.5 g I2100 g- 1, high heating value 40.1 MJ/kg, flash point 135°C, kinematic viscosity 4.05 mm2/s with density of 860 g/cc and cold filter plugging point as 0.7°C. FTIR and 1H, 13C NMR spectrum confirmed the chemical nature of biodiesel. The results indicated that the quality of biodiesel was almost as per the criteria of ASTM standards, hence, waste water grown Chlorella sp. can be used as a promising strain for biodiesel production. Cost of one kg biodiesel production was calculated as Rs. 180/kg which included cultivation, harvesting, oil extraction and transesterification cost of Chlorella sp. grown in waste water. Algae are therefore, considered as an economical choice for biodiesel production, because of the availability and environmental friendly properties. The present study indicated feasibility of waste water grown Chlorella sp. in the area of quality biodiesel production.en-USnullThesis