Chapter 19 - Microalgae culture technology for carbon dioxide biomitigation

Abstract

Global warming induced by a rapid increase of carbon dioxide emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is one of the major global challenges. There is thus some merit in establishing an efficient, cost effective and sustainable technology for carbon dioxide fixation. In this chapter the recent literature related to the application of ‘microalgae culture technology’ (MCT) for carbon dioxide biomitigation from flue gases has been discussed with reference to photosynthesis process principles and carbon dioxide sequestration strategies. The influence of the key system parameters on the algal photobioreactor (PBR) performance has been appraised with reference to photobioreactor (PBR) configuration, and general process operating conditions. Factors such as light intensity and distribution, temperature, carbon dioxide mass transfer and nutrient balancing have been discussed. The chapter also reports carbon dioxide fixation rates of several microalgae species under different input carbon dioxideconcentrations and light intensities.