Carbon dioxide capture from combustion gases in residential building by microalgae cultivation

Global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from various emission sectors are not hidden from anyone. The aim of this study was to determine Carbon dioxide (CO2)capture from combustion gases of methane for cultivation of microalgae spirulina platensis.

Microalgae culture medium was added in two photobioreactor. Air and combustion gas was injected into control and test reactors respectively. Artificial light with 10 Klux intensity was used and operated in continuous and intermittent (14 h ON and 8 h OFF) modes. Inlet concentration of carbon dioxide in to the test photobiorector was set in the range of 2000 to 6000 ppm and was measured in the inlet and outlet of photo-bioreactor by ND-IR CO2 analyzer.

In the control photo-bioreactor, the average removal of CO2 from the air was 42%. In the test reactor with an inlet CO2 concentration of 4100 ppm, the average removal of CO2 from the combustion gas was 23%. After 9 days of cultivation, the amount of carbon dioxide stabilized by microalgae was 0.528 and 1.14 g/L (dry weight) in the control and experimental photobioreactors respectively. The CO2 bio-fixation rate was in the range of 2.2% and 4.0% at different runs. After 9.0 days of cultivation concentration of microalgae was 0.25 and 1.0 g/L in the control and test reactors respectively. Algae productivity with intermittent light was 35% less than continuous light exposure.

It is possible to use CO2 capture from combustion gases of commercial heater for cultivation of microalgae spirulina.