Production of Bio-Diesel from Dairy Waste Scum

Dairy factory waste scums are increasingly being considered a valuable resource. However, these wastes may also contain contaminants, natural or artificial, that may adversely affect the land or water to which they are discharged. The study investigates the potential of using dairy waste scum as a feed stock for bio-diesel production. Present study optimized the parameters involved in the alkali catalysed Trans esterification process of dairy waste scum oil. The effects of methanol to oil ratio, temperature and amount of KOH were investigated. A study was conducted to evaluate the capability of production of biodiesel from consortium of native microalgae culture in dairy farm treated waste water. Native algal strains were isolated from dairy farm waste waters collection tank (untreated wastewater) as well as from holding tank (treated wastewater). The consortium members were selected on the basis of fluorescence response after treating with Nile red reagent. Preliminary studies of two commercial and consortium often native strains of algae showed good growth in waste waters. A consortium of native strains was found capable to remove more than 98% nutrients from treated waste water. The biomass production and lipid content of consortium cultivated in treated waste water were 153.54t ha-1 year-1 and 16.89%, respectively. 72.70% of algal lipid obtained from consortium could be converted into biodiesel. The present study found that bio- diesel from dairy waste scum is quite suitable as an alternative to petroleum diesel with recommended fuel properties as per ASTM standards. By using dairy waste scum as a feed stock for bio diesel and the environmental impact related to the disposal of dairy scum