Beneficial re-use of industrial CO2 emissions using microalgae: Demonstration assessment and biomass characterization

Daniel Mohler; Michael H. Wilson; Stephanie Kesner; Jenna Y. Schambach; Darin Vaughan; Molly Frazar; Jennifer Stewart; Jack Groppo; Robert Pace; Mark Crocker

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122014

Beneficial re-use of industrial CO₂ emissions using microalgae: Demonstration assessment and biomass characterization

Daniel Mohler
, Michael H. Wilson
, Stephanie Kesner
, Jenna Y. Schambach
, Darin Vaughan
, Molly Frazar
, Jennifer Stewart
, Jack Groppo
, Robert Pace
, Mark Crocker

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

A novel cyclic flow photobioreactor, designed for the capture and recycle of CO₂ using microalgae, was deployed at a coal-fired power plant. Scenedesmus acutus was cultured continuously for a four-month period, during which a biomass productivity of 0.1–0.2 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹ was observed. Samples taken for DNA sequencing showed a strong correlation between the composition of the culture and environmental conditions. Dry and liquid biomass samples and the industrial fertilizers used for preparation of the nutrient medium were analyzed to determine the presence of heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Se) and results were compared with standardized and/or regulated maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for metals in several possible algae derived products. Concentrations of the metals in dry algae biomass were consistent with the incorporation of metals from the supplied nutrients.

Original language	English
Article number	122014
Journal	Bioresource Technology
Volume	293
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122014
State	Published - Dec 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Funding

The authors thank Landon Caudill for his help and acknowledge the considerable assistance of Doug Durst and Joe Clark ( Duke Energy ) with the activities at East Bend Station. The Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence, Duke Energy , and the United States Department of Energy (award no. DE-FE0026396 ) are thanked for financial support. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. The authors thank Landon Caudill for his help and acknowledge the considerable assistance of Doug Durst and Joe Clark (Duke Energy) with the activities at East Bend Station. The Kentucky Department of Energy Development and Independence, Duke Energy, and the United States Department of Energy (award no. DE-FE0026396) are thanked for financial support. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof.

Funders	Funder number
Doug Durst and Joe Clark
Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence
United States Department of Energy	DE-FE0026396
Duke Energy

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Algae
Carbon dioxide
Heavy metals
Photobioreactor
Power plant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Bioengineering
Environmental Engineering
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Waste Management and Disposal

Access to Document

10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122014

Cite this

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abstract = "A novel cyclic flow photobioreactor, designed for the capture and recycle of CO2 using microalgae, was deployed at a coal-fired power plant. Scenedesmus acutus was cultured continuously for a four-month period, during which a biomass productivity of 0.1–0.2 g L−1 day−1 was observed. Samples taken for DNA sequencing showed a strong correlation between the composition of the culture and environmental conditions. Dry and liquid biomass samples and the industrial fertilizers used for preparation of the nutrient medium were analyzed to determine the presence of heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Se) and results were compared with standardized and/or regulated maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for metals in several possible algae derived products. Concentrations of the metals in dry algae biomass were consistent with the incorporation of metals from the supplied nutrients.",

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AU - Mohler, Daniel

AU - Wilson, Michael H.

AU - Kesner, Stephanie

AU - Schambach, Jenna Y.

AU - Vaughan, Darin

AU - Frazar, Molly

AU - Stewart, Jennifer

AU - Groppo, Jack

AU - Pace, Robert

AU - Crocker, Mark

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KW - Carbon dioxide

KW - Heavy metals

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