Flue gas CO2 supply methods for microalgae utilization: A review

Authors

  • Xiaosu Yu College of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Wangbiao Guo Microbial Sciences Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, China
  • Zhan Hu School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • Pengcheng Li School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • Zhuowei (Amanda) Zhang College of Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, United States
  • Jun Cheng State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, China
  • Chunfeng Song School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • Qing Ye College of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
Ariticle ID: 78
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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18686/cest.v1i2.78

Abstract

The potential for utilizing flue gas as a carbon source in microalgal cultivation holds great promise. Incorporating flue gas as a carbon source into microalgae culture processes can accelerate the growth rate of microalgae, consequently enhancing the overall economic viability of the integrated process. There are two key sources of flue gas to consider: flue gas from coal-fired power plants, characterized by a CO2 concentration of 12%–15% w/w, and flue gas from coal chemical processes, boasting a CO2 concentration of 90%–99% w/w. Additionally, the choice between an open or sealed microalgae culture system can also influence economic efficiency. Thus, there are four distinct microalgal cultivation routes to assess: in-situ open systems, off-situ open systems, in-situ sealed systems, and off-situ sealed systems. The incorporation of flue gas as a carbon source in microalgae cultivation demonstrates significant potential for reducing both environmental impact and costs, rendering it a highly promising and sustainable approach for economically efficient microalgae cultivation. In this review, the in-situ open route is recommended for systems with a high concentration of flue gas CO2 with the target product of low-margin commodities, while the off-situ sealed route is suitable for systems with low concentration of flue gas CO2 with the target product of high-value-added products.

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In-situ sealed route of coal-fired power plant for microalgae culture in sealed PBRs.

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Published

2023-12-25

How to Cite

Yu, X., Guo, W., Hu, Z., Li, P., Zhang, Z. (Amanda), Cheng, J., Song, C., & Ye, Q. (2023). Flue gas CO2 supply methods for microalgae utilization: A review. Clean Energy Science and Technology, 1(2), 78. https://doi.org/10.18686/cest.v1i2.78

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Vol. 1 No. 2 (2023)

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Review

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Copyright (c) 2023 Xiaosu Yu, Wangbiao Guo, Zhan Hu, Pengcheng Li, Zhuowei (Amanda) Zhang, Jun Cheng, Chunfeng Song, Qing Ye

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