Abstract
A novel cyclic flow photobioreactor (PBR) for the capture and recycle of CO2 using microalgae was designed and deployed at a coal-fired power plant (Duke Energy’s East Bend Station). The PBR was operated continuously during the period May–September 2015, during which algae productivity of typically 0.1–0.2 g/(L day) was obtained. Maximum CO2 capture efficiency was achieved during peak sunlight hours, the largest recorded CO2 emission reduction corresponding to a value of 81 % (using a sparge time of 5 s/min). On average, CO2 capture efficiency during daylight hours was 44 %. The PBR at East Bend Station also served as a secondary scrubber for NO x and SO x , removing on average 41.5 % of the NO x and 100 % of the SO x from the flue gas. The effect of solar availability and self-shading on a rudimentary digital model of the cyclic flow PBR was examined using Autodesk Ecotect Analysis software. Initial results suggest that this is a promising tool for the optimization of PBR layout with respect to the utilization of available solar radiation.
Highlights
Fossil fuels, including coal, will remain the main source of electric power for at least several more decades
The PBR at East Bend Station served as a secondary scrubber for NOx and SOx, removing on average 41.5 % of the NOx and 100 % of the SOx from the flue gas
The results from this study reinforce our previous findings that CO2 capture and recycle using microalgae are feasible from a technical standpoint
Summary
Fossil fuels, including coal, will remain the main source of electric power for at least several more decades. The continuous flow PBR pump is operated continuously to mix the algae culture (12 h/day with minimal flow at night), requiring a large central process pump, whereas the cyclic flow reactor is designed to periodically (4–6 times per day) drain and fill the tubes to ensure culture homogeneity and to actuate the pipe pigs for biofilm control.
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