Energy efficient transfer of carbon dioxide from flue gases to microalgal systems

Abstract

This article demonstrates a novel combination of solvent absorption, membrane desorption and microalgal cultivation to capture carbon dioxide and convert it to a lipid-rich biomass. In the system, carbon dioxide is absorbed into a potassium carbonate solvent and this gas is desorbed directly into the microalgal medium via a non-porous polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) hollow fibre membrane. This single step approach provides a paradigm shift in the cost of carbon delivery to the microalgae, as the very large reboiler energy demand of standard carbon capture solvent regeneration is avoided, as is the energy associated with gas compression. Specifically, the use of a 20 wt% potassium carbonate solv..