Towards an Integrated Process for CO2 Capture and Utilization: Cultivation of&nbsp;Scenedesmus acutus Using Gaseous CO2 and NH3

Vorisek, Fritz E.; Ji, Yaying; Hillis, Maya H.; Parker, Julia; Thompson, Jesse; Liu, Kunlei; Crocker, Mark

doi:10.1007/s12155-023-10592-9

Towards an Integrated Process for CO₂ Capture and Utilization: Cultivation of Scenedesmus acutus Using Gaseous CO₂ and NH₃

Journal Article · Wed Apr 12 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · BioEnergy Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-023-10592-9· OSTI ID:1970001

Vorisek, Fritz E. ^[1]; Ji, Yaying ^[2]; Hillis, Maya H. ^[2]; Parker, Julia ^[2]; Thompson, Jesse ^[2]; Liu, Kunlei ^[2]; ^[2]

Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States); University of Kentucky
Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)

Integrating CO₂ scrubbing from flue gas with its utilization in algae cultivation represents a potential means of lowering the cost of CO₂ capture. Towards this goal, this study sought to assess the feasibility of using gaseous a CO₂/NH₃ stream, derived from CO₂ capture using aqueous ammonia, as a C- and N-source for algae cultivation. Scenedesmus acutus was cultured in 800 mL photobioreactors using gaseous CO₂/NH₃ in mole ratios varying from 7 to 18. Excellent growth of Scenedesmus acutus was observed, the average growth rate for CO₂/NH₃ = 10 of 0.171 ± 0.015 g/L·day exceeding that obtained using 1% CO₂/N₂ and urea as the N-source (0.099 ± 0.28 g/L·day). Under optimal growth conditions (CO₂/NH₃ mole ratio of 10), CO₂ utilization ranged from 57% to 72%, while the NH₃ utilization was >90%. The CO₂/NH₃ feed rate was also found to exert a significant effect on algae productivity, excessive feed rates leading to accumulation of NH₃ in the culture at concentrations that were toxic to the algae. Consequently, to avoid the toxic effects of high NH₃ concentrations (>2.0 mM), it proved necessary to balance the NH₃ supply with the algae growth rate so that excessive NH₃ accumulation was prevented. This indicates that for practical applications, a CO₂/NH₃ feed control strategy would be required that takes into account the ammonium ion concentration in solution and the pH so as to avoid significant concentrations of free NH₃. Furthermore, analysis of the harvested biomass revealed a high protein (≥ 47 wt%) and a low ash content (< 3.6 wt%), suggesting it would be well suited for use as animal feed or as a feedstock for the production of bioplastics.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0031921

OSTI ID:: 1970001

Report Number(s):: DOE-UKY-31921-1; 3200003651

Journal Information:: BioEnergy Research, Journal Name: BioEnergy Research Vol. 16; ISSN 1939-1234

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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