CO2 Capture for Algae Cultivation

Highlights

• Process that uses microalgae to fix CO₂ present in exhaust or flue gases of power plants and other producers of CO₂
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)(Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )

  Jul 24, 2008	A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae	http://www.nrel.gov
  Apr 08, 2008	Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications	URL Not Available

  • Proposed as a method to help mitigate atmospheric CO₂ levels
    (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)(Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )

    Jul 24, 2008	A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae	http://www.nrel.gov
    Apr 08, 2008	Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications	URL Not Available

Selected Related Pages

• Carbon Sequestration
• Companies Using Algae to Capture CO2

History

• (1960) Oswald and Golueke introduce concept of the use of power plant flue gases to grow algae in ponds
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
• (1982) Report from Argonne National Laboratory concludes that power plant flue gases would be a poor source of CO₂ for algal cultivation since very few power plants are located at sites suitable for growth of microalgae
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
• (Early 1990s) Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center supports the analysis of microalgal systems for the use of power plant flue gases and mitigation of CO₂
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
  • This method of CO₂ mitigation is estimated to be cost competitive with other options for CO₂ mitigation
    (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
• (1990s) NREL studies the utilization of flue gas CO₂ by microalgae
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
• (<1996) Aquatic Species Program proposes the siting of algal ponds next to power plants and bubbling of the waste CO₂ from the power plants into the ponds to promote algal growth
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)

Process

• Microalgae are capable of utilizing concentrated CO₂ for growth, a trait that permits their culture on power plant flue gases
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)

Flue Gas Treatment

• Flue gases from electric power stations emit CO₂, NOx and other gases and substances
  (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
  • Can be extremely toxic to algae because of the presence of H₂ and SO₂
    (Dec 08, 2008, Fuel Production Potential of Several Agricultural Crops, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/v1-260.html)
• Flue gases are subjected to desulphurization or FGD
  (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
  • SO₂ can undergo wet scrubbing with limestone to produce CaSO₃ which is then used to produce gypsum
    (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)

Algal Strain Development

• (<>1999) Scientists have screened for algal strains that are capable of growth in CO₂ concentrations between 30-70% saturation
  (Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )

Algal Culture

• (2003) Growth of algae can be sustained at 100% CO₂ when pH changes are controlled and when CO₂ is released to algae on demand
  (Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )

CO₂ Requirement for Algae to 60 bgy Biodiesel

• 1.4 billion tons per year CO₂ needed for production of 60 bgy biodiesel
  (Mar 20, 2009, Biofuels from Algae, Feb 21, 2008, http://www.wsgr.com/attorneys/NEWBIOS/PDFs/braff022108.pdf)
  • Based on an algae production rate of 10 g per m² per day containing 15% triacylglycerides
    (Mar 20, 2009, Biofuels from Algae, Feb 21, 2008, http://www.wsgr.com/attorneys/NEWBIOS/PDFs/braff022108.pdf)
    • Uses 56% of all US power plant emissions
      (Mar 20, 2009, Biofuels from Algae, Feb 21, 2008, http://www.wsgr.com/attorneys/NEWBIOS/PDFs/braff022108.pdf)
• 0.9 billion tons per year CO₂ needed for production of 60 bgy biodiesel
  (Mar 20, 2009, Biofuels from Algae, Feb 21, 2008, http://www.wsgr.com/attorneys/NEWBIOS/PDFs/braff022108.pdf)
  • Based on an algae production rate of 50 g per m² per day containing 50% triacylglycerides
    (Mar 20, 2009, Biofuels from Algae, Feb 21, 2008, http://www.wsgr.com/attorneys/NEWBIOS/PDFs/braff022108.pdf)
    • Uses 36% of all US power plant emissions
      (Mar 20, 2009, Biofuels from Algae, Feb 21, 2008, http://www.wsgr.com/attorneys/NEWBIOS/PDFs/braff022108.pdf)

Demonstration Projects

Israel Electric Company and Seambiotic

• Israel Electric Company in Ashkelon, Israel has an FGD unit to scrub SO₂ from flue gases
  (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
  • Also has a supply of free, filtered and chlorinated seawater that can be obtained at the rate of of 450,000 m³ per hour
    (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
• Seambiotic Ltd. has designed systems for introduction of FGD treated flue gas to saltwater algae ponds
  (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
  • Nannochloropsis sp. used to inoculated raceway ponds that are supplied with flue gas from power plant
    (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
    • Algal yield is about 1 g algae per liter with a depth of 20 cm
      (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
      • Nannochloropsis grows better on coal flue gas free of SO₂ than on pure CO₂
        (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
    • Productivity is 20 g per m² per day compared to the productivity of Dunaliella of 2 g per m² per day reported by Nature Beta Technologies Ltd.
      (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)
      • Cost for dry microalgae with this process is estimated at US 0.34 per kg
        (Mar 04, 2009, Bio-Fuel and CO2 Capture by Algae, http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/documents/uploaded/2009/6-seminaire-BIOE-Seambiotics_Ami-Ben-Amotz.pdf)

CGTEE, Eletrobras, and Furg in Brazil

• (<>2007) Companhia de Geracao Termica de Energia Eletrica or CGTEE in Brazil has a pilot plant to study biofixation of CO₂ gas by microalgae
  (Mar 19, 2009, Microalgas contra o efeito estufa May 11, 2007, http://www.eletrobras.gov.br/ELB/services/eletrobras/ContentManagementPlus/FileDownload.ThrSvc.asp?DocumentID=%7B6EADC8C3-EAF1-4680-B718-3A505E2BB00F%7D&ServiceInstUID=%7B3C4F4D51-1091-4BFE-8D5F-B646DFFF1204%7D&InterfaceInstUID=%7BE574FB43-B4A7-40BD-95BF-2A6C7331C12C%7D&InterfaceUID=%7B72215A93-CAA7-4232-A6A1-2550B7CBEE2F%7D&ChannelUID=%7BE36794BB-0D69-4293-B8D4-67A6A3BEB68F%7D&PageUID=%7B45F87EFB-6B79-4A9F-BF58-00A911F04ACA%7D&BrowserType=NN&BrowserVersion=5)
  • Gas is injected into photobioreactors which are used to grow microalgae
    (Mar 19, 2009, Microalgas contra o efeito estufa May 11, 2007, http://www.eletrobras.gov.br/ELB/services/eletrobras/ContentManagementPlus/FileDownload.ThrSvc.asp?DocumentID=%7B6EADC8C3-EAF1-4680-B718-3A505E2BB00F%7D&ServiceInstUID=%7B3C4F4D51-1091-4BFE-8D5F-B646DFFF1204%7D&InterfaceInstUID=%7BE574FB43-B4A7-40BD-95BF-2A6C7331C12C%7D&InterfaceUID=%7B72215A93-CAA7-4232-A6A1-2550B7CBEE2F%7D&ChannelUID=%7BE36794BB-0D69-4293-B8D4-67A6A3BEB68F%7D&PageUID=%7B45F87EFB-6B79-4A9F-BF58-00A911F04ACA%7D&BrowserType=NN&BrowserVersion=5)
  • Pilot plant is the result of an agreement between CGTEE, Eletrobras and the Fundacao Universidade Federal do Rio Grande or Furg
    (Mar 19, 2009, Microalgas contra o efeito estufa May 11, 2007, http://www.eletrobras.gov.br/ELB/services/eletrobras/ContentManagementPlus/FileDownload.ThrSvc.asp?DocumentID=%7B6EADC8C3-EAF1-4680-B718-3A505E2BB00F%7D&ServiceInstUID=%7B3C4F4D51-1091-4BFE-8D5F-B646DFFF1204%7D&InterfaceInstUID=%7BE574FB43-B4A7-40BD-95BF-2A6C7331C12C%7D&InterfaceUID=%7B72215A93-CAA7-4232-A6A1-2550B7CBEE2F%7D&ChannelUID=%7BE36794BB-0D69-4293-B8D4-67A6A3BEB68F%7D&PageUID=%7B45F87EFB-6B79-4A9F-BF58-00A911F04ACA%7D&BrowserType=NN&BrowserVersion=5)

Enitecnologie

• (Sep 2004) Enitecnologie reports on a project to use microalgae to fix flue gas CO₂
  (Mar 20, 2009, GHGT-7 Sep 5-9, 2004, http://uregina.ca/ghgt7/PDF/ghgt7_programme_web.pdf)(Mar 20, 2009, ENITECNOLOGIE R&D PROJECT ON MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION OF CO2: OUTDOOR COMPARATIVE TESTS OF BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY USING FLUE GAS CO2 FROM A NGCC POWER PLANT, Sep 2004, GHGT-7, http://uregina.ca/ghgt7/PDF/papers/nonpeer/075.pdf)

  Mar 20, 2009	GHGT-7 Sep 5-9, 2004	http://uregina.ca
  Mar 20, 2009	ENITECNOLOGIE R&D PROJECT ON MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION OF CO2: OUTDOOR COMPARATIVE TESTS OF BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY USING FLUE GAS CO2 FROM A NGCC POWER PLANT, Sep 2004, GHGT-7	http://uregina.ca

  • CO₂ derived from a natural gas combined cycle power plant
    (Mar 20, 2009, ENITECNOLOGIE R&D PROJECT ON MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION OF CO2: OUTDOOR COMPARATIVE TESTS OF BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY USING FLUE GAS CO2 FROM A NGCC POWER PLANT, Sep 2004, GHGT-7, http://uregina.ca/ghgt7/PDF/papers/nonpeer/075.pdf)
  • Marine microalga, Tetraselmis suecica cultivated in photobioreactors and in open ponds
    (Mar 20, 2009, ENITECNOLOGIE R&D PROJECT ON MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION OF CO2: OUTDOOR COMPARATIVE TESTS OF BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY USING FLUE GAS CO2 FROM A NGCC POWER PLANT, Sep 2004, GHGT-7, http://uregina.ca/ghgt7/PDF/papers/nonpeer/075.pdf)
  • Productivity is similar in both open and closed cultivation systems
    (Mar 20, 2009, ENITECNOLOGIE R&D PROJECT ON MICROALGAE BIOFIXATION OF CO2: OUTDOOR COMPARATIVE TESTS OF BIOMASS PRODUCTIVITY USING FLUE GAS CO2 FROM A NGCC POWER PLANT, Sep 2004, GHGT-7, http://uregina.ca/ghgt7/PDF/papers/nonpeer/075.pdf)

Cyanotech Corporation

• (1997) US Patent 5,659,977 describes methods to use CO₂ from the exhaust gas of a fossil fuel engine for algae production
  (Jan 12, 2009, United States Patent: 5659977, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,659,977.PN.&OS=PN/5,659,977&RS=PN/5,659,977)(Mar 18, 2009, A Proposal to Establish an International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae May 2001, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/01/carbon_seq/p17.pdf)

  Jan 12, 2009	United States Patent: 5659977	http://patft.uspto.gov
  Mar 18, 2009	A Proposal to Establish an International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae May 2001	http://www.netl.doe.gov

  • 188 kg per hour CO₂ from a stack gas transferred to the bottom of a CO₂ absorption tower
    (Mar 18, 2009, A Proposal to Establish an International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae May 2001, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/01/carbon_seq/p17.pdf)
    • Ultimately provides 67 t CO₂ per month and supports the production of 36 t per month Spirulina
      (Mar 18, 2009, A Proposal to Establish an International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae May 2001, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/01/carbon_seq/p17.pdf)
      • Enough CO₂ for 12 hectares worth of ponds
        (Mar 18, 2009, A Proposal to Establish an International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae May 2001, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/01/carbon_seq/p17.pdf)
  • Heat from the fossil fuel engine is use to dry the algae and the electrical energy is used to drive motors, pumps etc and provide illumination for algae cultivation
    (Jan 12, 2009, Cyanotecth Vacuum Washing System, http://www.cyanotech.com/company/company_process04.html)

Advantages

• Promotes use and recycling of CO₂, thus increasing economic activity
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
  • Other methods of sequestering CO₂ such as disposal in geological formations does not since it fails to promote new uses for the CO₂
    (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)

Disadvantages

Power Plant Location

• Most coal-fired power plants in the United States are sited in the north where conditions for algal cultivation are unfavorable
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
  • Only about half the CO₂ produced by US power plants would be usable
    (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)
• Seasonal and diurnal factors restrict flue gas utilization to one-third of the CO₂ produced by power plants
  (Jul 24, 2008, A Look Back at the US DOE's Aquatic Species Program Biodiesel from Algae, http://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy98/24190.pdf)

Algal Growth

• (2007) Algae may need to have high thermal stability since hot flue gases may influence the temperature of the algal culture medium
  (Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )
• (2003) Scientists demonstrate that algal growth in negatively affected by increasing CO₂
  (Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )
  • (1992) Strains that grow well at 5-10% CO₂ exhibit very poor growth rates above 20% CO₂
    (Apr 08, 2008, Micro and Macro algae utility for indutrial applications, )

Research

Use of Carbon Dioxide from Underground Coal Gasification

• (Oct 21, 2009) Chinese company, ENN, is experimenting with capturing carbon dioxide from underground coal gasification
  (Oct 23, 2009, Chinese Company Uses Innovative Approach to Make Biofuel  New Tang Dynasty Television, http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_china/2009-10-21/862888436184.html)
  • Captured carbon dioxide is used to grow algae, which will be collected and converted to biodiesel
    (Oct 23, 2009, Chinese Company Uses Innovative Approach to Make Biofuel  New Tang Dynasty Television, http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_china/2009-10-21/862888436184.html)
  • Company hopes to have demonstration scale plant by the end of 2010
    (Oct 23, 2009, Chinese Company Uses Innovative Approach to Make Biofuel  New Tang Dynasty Television, http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_china/2009-10-21/862888436184.html)

Use of Flue Gases to Cultivate Chlorella sp. in the Czech Republic

• (2009) Scientists in the Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences in the Czech Republic report on the use of flue gas from a municipal waste incinerator for the cultivation of the microalgaeChlorella vulgaris
  (Mar 06, 2009, Simultaneous flue gas bioremediation and reduction...[Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009] - PubMed Result, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096837)
  • Microalgae are cultivated in photobioreactors with flue gases containing 10-13% CO₂ and 8-10% O₂
    (Mar 06, 2009, Simultaneous flue gas bioremediation and reduction...[Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009] - PubMed Result, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096837)
  • Algal growth rate is higher for cultures supplied with flue gas than cultures supplied with a mixture of pure 11% CO₂ in air
    (Mar 06, 2009, Simultaneous flue gas bioremediation and reduction...[Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009] - PubMed Result, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096837)
    • CO₂ fixation rate for algal cultures grown with flue gases is 4.4 g CO₂ per liter per 24 hr while control cultures measure 3.0 g CO₂ per liter per 24 hr
      (Mar 06, 2009, Simultaneous flue gas bioremediation and reduction...[Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009] - PubMed Result, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096837)
  • Biomass derived from cultures grown with untreated flue gas has a slight excess of mercury but other heavy metals, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls are below European Union foodstuff legislation limits
    (Mar 06, 2009, Simultaneous flue gas bioremediation and reduction...[Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009] - PubMed Result, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096837)
    • Treatment of the flue gas with a granulated activated carbon column prior to algal cultivation absorbs sufficient mercury allowing the algal biomass to be compliant with the foodstuff requirements
      (Mar 06, 2009, Simultaneous flue gas bioremediation and reduction...[Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009] - PubMed Result, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19096837)
• (2005) Scientists at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Fuel Research Institute report on the use of flue gases from natural gas combustion for the cultivation of Chlorella sp.
  (Mar 06, 2009, IngentaConnect Utilization of flue gas for cultivation of microalgae Chlorella s..., http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/japh/2005/00000017/00000005/00008701?crawler=true)
  • Chlorella sp. were grown in a 55 m² outdoor photobioreactor and fed flue gas consisting of 6-8% CO₂ as a source of carbon
    (Mar 06, 2009, IngentaConnect Utilization of flue gas for cultivation of microalgae Chlorella s..., http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/japh/2005/00000017/00000005/00008701?crawler=true)
  • Daily net productivity on a summer day measures 19.4-22.8 g dry weight per m² for algae grown with flue gas while algae grown with pure CO₂ produce 19.1-22.6 g dry weight per m²
    (Mar 06, 2009, IngentaConnect Utilization of flue gas for cultivation of microalgae Chlorella s..., http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/japh/2005/00000017/00000005/00008701?crawler=true)
    • PAR or photosynthetically active radiant energy values obtained were 5.58-6.94% for algae grown in flue gas while values of 5.49-6.88% obtained for algae grown with pure CO₂
      (Mar 06, 2009, IngentaConnect Utilization of flue gas for cultivation of microalgae Chlorella s..., http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/japh/2005/00000017/00000005/00008701?crawler=true)

University Industry Partnership in Missouri

• (Sep 2008) Lincoln University of Missouri and the Missouri University of Science and Technology are examining the use of power plant flue gases to grow algae
  (Mar 05, 2009, NR20080904, http://www.aeci.org/NR20080904.aspx)
  • Research is sponsored and funded by the Associated Electric Cooperative and Central Electric Power Cooperative
    (Mar 05, 2009, NR20080904, http://www.aeci.org/NR20080904.aspx)
    • Electric companies are providing USD 50,000 in infrastructure and other aid for the experiment
      (Mar 05, 2009, From CO2 to algae to biofuel? - Environment- msnbc.com, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26625884/)
  • Project will be conducted at the Central Electric Power Chamois power plant where power from biomass has been produced for five years
    (Mar 05, 2009, NR20080904, http://www.aeci.org/NR20080904.aspx)
    • Biomass materials investigated include walnut shells, corn cobs and old railroad ties
      (Mar 05, 2009, NR20080904, http://www.aeci.org/NR20080904.aspx)
    • Currently examining the combustion of turkey processing sludge with coal to produce electricity
      (Mar 05, 2009, NR20080904, http://www.aeci.org/NR20080904.aspx)
  • Principal investigators include Keesoo Lee of Lincoln University of Missouri and Paul Name of Missouri University of Science and Technology
    (Mar 05, 2009, NR20080904, http://www.aeci.org/NR20080904.aspx)

Use of Air-lift Photobioreactors

• (2005) Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, GreenFuel Corporation and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev examine the use of airlift reactors to grow algae supplied with power plant flue gases
  (Mar 05, 2009, Air-Lift Bioreactors for Algal Growth on Flue Gas: Mathematical Modeling and Pilot Plant Studies, http://www.greenfuelonline.com/news/IECR.pdf)
  • Model experiments using Dunaliella parva and Dunaliella tertiolecta demonstrate that a continuous culture can be maintained on flue gases using a triangular photobioreactor design with airlift technology
    (Mar 05, 2009, Air-Lift Bioreactors for Algal Growth on Flue Gas: Mathematical Modeling and Pilot Plant Studies, http://www.greenfuelonline.com/news/IECR.pdf)

Collaboration in Germany Carries Out Flue Gas Tests

• (Oct 2005-Oct 2006) Researchers from the University of Bremen, Eon Ruhrgas and Bluebio Tech GmbH examine the use of algae to capture greenhouse gases
  (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)
  • Marine microalgae treated with flue gases from a 350 MW coal-fired power plant in Germany
    (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)
    • Two tonnes of CO₂ captured per tonne of algae dry matter
      (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)
    • Production fluctuates between 0.6-10 tonnes dry algal mass per hectare per month with the highest production rate in the summer
      (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)

Carbon Dioxide from Lime for Algae Cultivation

• (1997-2000) Fels Werke, a lime miner and processor, Salzgitter Anlagenbau, the Institute for Grain Processing and Preussag AG collaborate to carry out tests to determine whether CO₂ from lime can be used to cultivate microalgae
  (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)
  • 90% of the flue gas CO₂ captured
    (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)
  • Project dropped when oil prices fail to rise as anticipated
    (Mar 05, 2009, new energy 2/08 page 73, http://www.newenergy.info/index.php?id=1691)

Economic Modeling of Flue Gas Use to Cultivate Microalgae

• (1997) Kiran L. Kadam of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory examines the cost of algae cultivation with CO₂ from flue gases
  (Mar 20, 2009, Power Plant Flue Gas as a Source of CO2 for Microalgae Cultivation: Economic Impact of Different Process Options, http://www.orau.gov/algae2008/breakouts/kadam1997.pdf)
  • Concludes that microalgae cultivation holds promise for lipid feedstock production and CO₂ mitigation
    (Mar 20, 2009, Power Plant Flue Gas as a Source of CO2 for Microalgae Cultivation: Economic Impact of Different Process Options, http://www.orau.gov/algae2008/breakouts/kadam1997.pdf)

Use of Flue Gases to Grow Cyanidium caldarium

• (1992) Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory examine the use of flue gases to grow the microalgae Cyanidium caldarium
  (Mar 05, 2009, Chemical Interaction of Flue Gas Components with the Growth of Cyanidium caldarium, http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=d185k81u35716811&size=largest)
  • Cyanidium caldarium isolated from acid sulfur hot springs located in Yellowstone National Park
    (Mar 05, 2009, Chemical Interaction of Flue Gas Components with the Growth of Cyanidium caldarium, http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=d185k81u35716811&size=largest)
    • Microalgae is thermophilic, grows in 1M sulfuric acid at 70 degrees C and can grow anaerobically in high CO₂ concentrations
      (Mar 05, 2009, Chemical Interaction of Flue Gas Components with the Growth of Cyanidium caldarium, http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=d185k81u35716811&size=largest)
  • C. caldarium is capable of the photosynthetic removal of CO₂ when the atmosphere consists of 40% flue gas
    (Mar 05, 2009, Chemical Interaction of Flue Gas Components with the Growth of Cyanidium caldarium, http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=d185k81u35716811&size=largest)

Patents

• (<>2008) GreenFuel Technologies Corporation has been awarded many patents and has many patents pending for the use of flue gases to cultivate algae
• (Nov 18, 2003) US Patent 6,648,949
  (Mar 06, 2009, United States Patent: 6648949, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6648949.PN.&OS=PN/6648949&RS=PN/6648949)
  • System for Small Particle and CO2 Removal from Flue Gas Using an Improved Chimney or Stack
    (Mar 06, 2009, United States Patent: 6648949, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6648949.PN.&OS=PN/6648949&RS=PN/6648949)
  • Assignee is the United States represented by the US Department of Energy
    (Mar 06, 2009, United States Patent: 6648949, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6648949.PN.&OS=PN/6648949&RS=PN/6648949)
• (Aug 26, 1997) US Patent 5,659,977
  (Jan 12, 2009, United States Patent: 5659977, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,659,977.PN.&OS=PN/5,659,977&RS=PN/5,659,977)
  • Integrated Microalgae Production and Electricity Cogeneration
    (Jan 12, 2009, United States Patent: 5659977, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,659,977.PN.&OS=PN/5,659,977&RS=PN/5,659,977)
  • Assignee is Cyanotech Corporation
    (Jan 12, 2009, United States Patent: 5659977, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,659,977.PN.&OS=PN/5,659,977&RS=PN/5,659,977)
  • Inventors are G. Jensen, E.H. Reichl
    (Jan 12, 2009, United States Patent: 5659977, http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,659,977.PN.&OS=PN/5,659,977&RS=PN/5,659,977)

Studies

• Campbell PK, Beer T, Batten D (2009) Greenhouse Gas Sequestration by Algae - Energy and Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Studies, presented at the 6th Australian Conference on Life Cycle Assessment
  (Mar 25, 2009, CSIRO paper - Greenhouse gas sequestration by algae (Publication - Technical), http://www.csiro.au/resources/Greenhouse-Sequestration-Algae.html)
  • Study concludes that is less costly to produce biodiesel from saltwater algae than to produce petroleum diesel
    (Mar 25, 2009, Study: Stationary power using algae biodiesel viable - Biodiesel Magazine, http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3342)
    • The economic value of algal biodiesel and its role in greenhouse gas reduction might be maximized by producing the biodiesel and electricity from the biodiesel near the source of the feedstock
      (Mar 25, 2009, Study: Stationary power using algae biodiesel viable - Biodiesel Magazine, http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3342)
    • Also finds that a 400 hectare algal farm might be viable but the economics of scale make a commercial-scale enterprise nonviable
      (Mar 25, 2009, Study: Stationary power using algae biodiesel viable - Biodiesel Magazine, http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3342)

References [hide]