Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Establishing a nano fishpond-algae cellulose industry for generating gelling material for the production of biogel fuel for domestic heating

5^th International Conference on Nanotek & Expo

November 16-18, 2015 San Antonio, USA

Ofoegbu Obinna

Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechnol

Abstract:

A mixed culture algae community was harvested from a fish pond, dried and its lipid component extracted by microwave assisted extraction (MAE) followed by steam assisted mechanical pressing (SAMP). The residual protein and hemicellulose components were removed by alkali extraction after which mild acidified solution of methanol was used to neutralize the alkali and extract all other left over by-product materials like chlorophyll and sugars. The obtained cellulose material was subjected to preliminary size reduction and subsequent acid hydrolysis to obtain nano-sized cellulose material. The nanocellulose was converted to its acetate and subsequently used as a fuel gelling agent in a bio fuel production process to obtain a gel fuel. With X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and Fourier infra-red spectroscopy, the nano-sized status and component functional groups were ascertained. The heating and calorific value of the product was also determined and compared with known fuels. The use of the nanocellulose from fish pond algae cellulose in gelling bio fuel in supplementary reduces the overall cost of producing the fuel, thus providing a frugally inexpensive alternative heating material to fossil fuel.

Biography :

Email: obinnafor@yahoo.co.uk