Kinetic model for effects of simulated flue gas onto growth profiles of Chlorella sp. AE10 and Chlorella sp. Cv.

Abstract

Microalgae are potential candidate for biofuel production as alternative one for fossil fuels. CO2 in flue gas is available carbon source to support microalgae growth. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of the simulated flue gas onto algal growth and photosynthetic activity were evaluated for both Chlorella sp. AE10 and Chlorella sp. Cv. The growth profiles were correlated by a simple kinetic model. It was indicated that the simulated flue gas led to low pH and the photosynthetic activity was partially destroyed. Chlorella sp. Cv can tolerate full simulated flue gas, 10% CO2 +200ppm NOx +100ppm SOx . The pH in medium maintained at 6 and the photosynthetic activity was more than 0.6 at the first 6 days. If the concentration of NOx was more 100ppm and that of SOx was more than 50ppm, the pH was declined to 4 at day 2 or 3 for Chlorella sp. AE10. At the same time, the related photosynthetic activities of Chlorella sp. AE10 were less than 0.4, which was not suitable for algal growth. It was shown that Chlorella sp. Cv could be used for CO2 fixation from the simulated flue gas.