Algae-Based Beneficial Re-use of Carbon Emissions Using a Novel Photobioreactor: a Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Analysis

• Main Authors: Crocker, M. (Author), Crofcheck, C. (Author), Groppo, J. (Author), Quinn, J.C (Author), Quiroz, D. (Author), Shea, A. (Author), Wilson, M.H (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2021
• Subjects: Algae; Algal cultivations; Artificial life; Biomass; Biomass productions; Bioplastic; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide process; Cost; Costs; Culture; Economic analysis; Energy requirements; Energy utilization; Environmental impact; Investments; Large scale cultivations; Life cycle; Life cycle analysis; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Microalgae; Microorganisms; Photobioreactors; Power plants; Research investment; Sustainable development; Tea; Techno-Economic analysis
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Despite the many advantages of microalgae, the feasibility of large-scale cultivation requires significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) to enable high growth rates. A synergistic union typically proposed for the supply of CO2 is the coupling of algal cultivation with emissions from power plants. This study investigates the sustainability of a novel microalgae platform coupled with coal-based flue gas. The proposed system consists of a novel photobioreactor (PBR) for the production of biomass followed by a two-stage dewatering process. A systems model, which quantifies the CO2 and energy consumption of the proposed system, was developed, and the minimum biomass selling price (MBSP) was determined by a techno-economic analysis (TEA). TEA results indicate that a facility with the capacity to capture 30% of the emissions from a 1-MW power plant requires a biomass production of 1280 metric ton per year, which when scaled to a nth of kind facility can produce biomass at a MBSP of    322 per ton. The environmental impact of the proposed facility was determined by a life cycle assessment methodology, and results indicate a carbon capture potential of 1.16 × 104 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. In addition, an energy analysis indicates a desirable net energy ratio of 0.1, which is lower than conventional PBRs. Discussion focuses on the requirements to reduce biomass production cost, including research investment areas for increasing productivity while decreasing energy requirements. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.