Decarbonizing gas emissions from petrochemical production using microalgae

Abstract

Thermal and catalytic processes of purification of hydrocarbon raw materials, which are produced by oil refineries and petrochemical enterprises, make a significant contribution to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Exhaust gases of thermal and catalytic processes containing a mixture of inert gases and C1-C5 hydrocarbons are sent for flaring. Industrial enterprises, especially petrochemical ones, emit a large amount of other greenhouse gases besides CO2. This study was executed in order to study the absorption of blow-off gases obtained during petrochemical production by marine microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chlorella microalgae. In each experiment conducted as part of this study, microalgae underwent two successive growth phases: the preparation phase and the cultivation phase. The studies were conducted at various temperatures and pressures. Exhaust and blow-off gases of the existing industrial production of isoprene were selected for laboratory experiments, so the composition of the gas changed significantly between tests. The microalgae showed the highest absorption capacity under the condition of 32 °C and high gas pressure. Microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chlorella microalgae showed the ability to absorb gases C1–C5 with an efficiency of 75.0%. The obtained research results can be used in the complex cleaning of biological treatment facilities.