Influence of flue gas components on the growth rate of chlorella vulgaris and scenedesmus acutus

C. Crofcheck, A. Shea, M. Montross, M. Crocker, R. Andrews

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased since the industrial revolution due to the increase in combustion of fossil fuels. One possible alternative strategy is the use of microalgae for CO2 capture and recycling. Major components in coal-derived flue gas that may accumulate and effect algae growth include both sulfur oxides and fly ash. However, in practical application, sulfur oxides will be converted quickly to the acid product (H 2SO4) in the aerobic aqueous conditions of algae cultivation. In this article, the influence of elevated H2SO 4 levels and the presence of coal-derived fly ash were investigated. As the H2SO4 level increased, algae growth was inhibited and finally ceased; however, this affect could be minimized by the addition of NaHCO3 as a buffer. The effect of ash on the growth of algae was related to the type of coal-fired combustion and the amount of ash. For one of the ash types tested, the algae growth rate actually increased at a low ash concentration. In this work, major technical hurdles in the use of algal scrubbing systems are being addressed with respect to major contaminants in coal-derived flue gases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1421-1429
Number of pages9
JournalTransactions of the ASABE
Volume56
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Algae
  • CO mitigation
  • Chlorella
  • Flue gas
  • Scenedesmus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Food Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Soil Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Influence of flue gas components on the growth rate of chlorella vulgaris and scenedesmus acutus'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this