Integration of CO2 capture and microalgae cultivation: demonstration assessment of outdoor Scenedesmus acutus cultivation using gaseous ammonia as a nitrogen source

Vorisek, Fritz E.; Ji, Yaying; Thompson, Jesse; Liu, Kunlei; Crocker, Mark

doi:10.1002/jctb.7824

Integration of CO₂ capture and microalgae cultivation: demonstration assessment of outdoor Scenedesmus acutus cultivation using gaseous ammonia as a nitrogen source

Journal Article · Fri Feb 07 00:00:00 EST 2025 · Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.7824· OSTI ID:2523638

Vorisek, Fritz E. ^[1]; Ji, Yaying ^[1]; Thompson, Jesse ^[1]; Liu, Kunlei ^[1]; ^[1]

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (United States)

Towards the goal of integrating CO₂ capture using aqueous ammonia with its utilization for algae cultivation, Scenedesmus acutus (UTEX B72) was grown in 1100 L open raceway ponds using CO₂ and NH₃ supplied from gas cylinders. CO₂/NH₃ mole ratios of 7 and 10 were employed, the gas mixture acting as a surrogate for the output from a CO₂ scrubbing system using aqueous ammonia. Compared to Scenedesmus acutus grown in open ponds using gaseous CO₂ and NaNO₃ as the N-source, the ponds supplied with gaseous CO₂ and NH₃ displayed higher productivity at both CO₂/NH₃ ratios, with the higher ratio providing the best growth. Depending on the culturing conditions and CO₂/NH₃ ratio, CO₂ utilization ranged up to 15.8% and NH₃ utilization to 23.0%. These rather low values reflect the fact the high CO₂/NH₃ feed rate used, resulting in a substantial release of NH₃ from the ORPs (~45%). Finally, these findings demonstrate the suitability of gaseous NH₃ as a N-source for microalgae cultivation, while highlighting the need for a control strategy that closely balances the CO₂/NH₃ supply with the algae growth rate. The produced algae biomass possessed a high protein and low ash content, rendering it particularly suitable for use as a bioplastic feedstock.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

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

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

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0031921

OSTI ID:: 2523638

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2514495

Report Number(s):: DOE-UKY--31921-2

Journal Information:: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 100; ISSN 0268-2575

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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