Removal of CO2 from flue gases by algae. Final technical report to DoE, USA

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Removal of CO2 from flue gases by algae. Final technical report to DoE, September 1, 1992--August 31, 1993
Creator/Author
Akin, C. ; Maka, A. ; Patel, S. ; Conrad, J. [Inst. of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (United States)] ; Benemann, J.
Publication Date - 1993 Dec 31
OSTI Identifier - OSTI ID: 10132222; Legacy ID: DE94008039
Report Number(s) - DOE/PC/92521--T97
Resource Type - Technical Report
Specific Type - Progress Report
Research Org - Illinois Dept. of Energy and Natural Resources, Springfield, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org - USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
Key words: 01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS; FLUE GAS; AIR POLLUTION CONTROL; ALGAE; CATALYTIC EFFECTS; CARBON DIOXIDE; BIOCONVERSION; SCRUBBING; PROGRESS REPORT; FEASIBILITY STUDIES; BIOREACTORS; COST ESTIMATION; BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS; PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Abstract

The objective of this research program is to determine the feasibility of the alga Botryococcus braunii as a biocatalyst for the photosynthetic conversion of flue gas CO{sub 2} to hydrocarbons. Free and immobilized cells of Botryococcus braunii were grown in aqueous medium supplemented with nitrogen, phosphorus and mineral nutrients. Air and CO{sub 2} enriched air [10% to 15% (V/V) CO{sub 2}] in the gas phase and 0.2% to 2% NaHCO{sub 3} in the liquid medium served as the carbon source. Growth and hydrocarbon formation characteristics of free and immobilized cultures of Botryococcus braunii were determined in bench-scale photobioreactors. Technical and economic feasibility of the conversion of flue gas CO{sub 2} to hydrocarbons by Botryococcus braunii culture systems was evaluated. In free cell systems, the hexane extractable oil productivity was about 15 to 37 grams of oil per 100 grams of cell dry weight. In immobilized cell systems, the oil production ranged between 5% and 47% at different immobilization systems and immobilized surface locations, with an average of 19% of cell biomass dry weight. The feasibility and economic evaluation estimated the cost of oil produced from flue gas CO{sub 2} by algae to range between $45 and $75 per barrel assuming that a hydrocarbon yield of about 50% of the biomass weight is achievable and a credit of $60 per ton of carbon removed is available. A future research program leading to development of a multistage process, consisting of closed systems for heavy inoculum buildup followed by lower cost open systems for oil production is recommended.

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