Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




Flue Gas CO2 Capture by Microalgae in Photobioreactor: a Sustainable Technology

Flue Gas CO2 Capture by Microalgae in Photobioreactor: a Sustainable Technology

Full Title: Flue Gas CO2 Capture by Microalgae in Photobioreactor: a Sustainable Technology
Author(s): Petrica Iancu, Valentin Pleşu, Sanda Veleab
Publisher(s): Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

This paper addresses the development of pilot scale sustainable technology for microalgae capture of  CO2 from power plant flue gas in alkaline solutions to produce biodiesel from algal oil. A combination of  computer tools for process simulation, economic evaluation, and environmental impact allow  sustainable process assessment. Laboratory scale experiments for growth and culture for algae in  laboratory photobioreactor are considered. Based on them, CO2 biocapture, biomass harvesting and  algal oil extraction are evaluated. Process flowsheet for pilot scale CO2 biocapture from flue gas,  growth and separation of biomass, as well as algal oil separation is implemented in SuperProDesigner®  v8.5 simulator. Solvent is recovered by distillation and recycled. Experiment information allows to setup  flowsheet, unit operations and unit procedures mass balance. As semi-batch process is considered,  feedstock quantity/ flowrate and processing times are calculated. Process simulation predicts for ~  1,400 kg CO2/y biocapture with ~45 % yield, ~200 kg algal oil/y is produced. Technology sustainability  is evaluated by economic and environmental performance. Process economics is evaluated with  SuperProDesigner® and environmental impact with WAR software tool.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.