Work

Carbon Dioxide Bio-Sequestration and Biomass Production for Energy Purposes During C. vulgaris Cultivation Powered by Real Exhaust Gases from a Municipal Thermal Power Plant

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study assessed the potential of Chlorella vulgaris to biosequester carbon dioxide (CO2) and produce microalgal biomass using real exhaust gases from a municipal heating plant. Experiments were conducted in vertical tubular photobioreactors (V-PBRs) in three series: a control with atmospheric air as the CO2 source (S1), exhaust gases containing SOx (S2), and fully desulphurised exhaust gases (S3). The highest productivity of C. vulgaris was recorded in S3, where 2120 ± 123 mg VS/L was achieved with an exponential growth rate of 281.0 ± 16.2 mg VS/L·d. The presence of SOx in the gases caused the culture to die off as early as day 8 of the cultivation cycle, resulting in a decrease in biomass concentration and acidification of the culture medium. In S2, compared to the other experimental series, significantly lower organic carbon, lipid, and sugar contents were also observed in the microalgal biomass. However, protein content remained stable regardless of the CO2 source tested. Carbon Dioxide Utilisation Efficiency (CO2UE) was 53.8% (S1), 24.1% (S2), and 41.4% (S3), respectively. The results indicate that the presence of SOx in exhaust gases negatively affects the growth and survival of C. vulgaris, while its removal improves both biomass productivity and CO2 sequestration efficiency. The research demonstrates the potential for integrating microalgae cultivation with industrial CO2 emission management.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18236086

Authors: Marcin Zieliński, Łukasz Barczak, Marta Kisielewska, Alona Vdovychenko, Joanna Kazimierowicz, Marcin Dębowski

Institutions: University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, Bialystok University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Algal biology and biofuel production

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137