Carbon dioxide fixation by microalgae photosynthesis using actual flue gas discharged from a boiler

Abstract

To mitigate CO₂ discharged from thermal power plants, studies on CO₂ fixation by the photosynthesis of microalgae using actual exhaust gas have been carried out. The results are as follows.

• 1. A method is proposed for evaluating the maximum photosynthesis rate in the raceway cultivator using only the algal physical properties;

• 2. Outdoor cultivation tests taking actual flue gas were performed with no trouble or break throughout 1 yr using the strain collected in the test;

• 3. The produced microalgae is effective as solid fuel; and

• 4. The feasibility studies of this system were performed. The system required large land area, but the area is smaller than that required for other biomass systems, such as tree farms.