Description:
Overview
The technology is a cost effective mechanism that removes substantial amounts of CO2 from the gaseous effluents of scrubbed fossil-fired power plants. The process is facilitated by the use of algae that have been grown on fabric sheets in a high temperature (thermophilic) environment. The algae are located in a separate chamber downstream of the scrubber, and are exposed to the effluent gas stream in the presence of carefully designed lighting conditions and nutrients. After their maturation, the algae can be harvested to maximize CO2 consumption. The usage of the scrub units in the biological control of CO2 is suitable as they provide an ambient environment for the growth of the algae.
The process is carried out as follows: CO2 moving towards the smokestacks is passed through running water and converted into bicarbonates. This water is then passed through bioreactors that contain a series of screens coated with CO2 absorbing algae. An efficient harvesting technique is employed to remove the algae from the fabric sheets through a mechanism of spray washing. The resultant liquid slurry is filtered using a sieve to remove the mature algae, and the remaining slurry is sprayed on the fabric plates to assist in re-population.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, more than 5 billion tonnes of CO2 are produced annually in the US alone. The industry consumption for this by-product is lesser than 40 billion tones, and is far more economical to produce commercially than by recycling the CO2 from the flue gas. Hence, the necessity to control the amount of CO2 from industrial emissions cannot be stressed enough. US’s commitment towards the Kyoto protocol calls for taking measures to reduce CO2 emission in the atmosphere in order to control the greenhouse effect.
Commercial Application
Energy Production industries
Benefits
Provides a low cost method to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants by more than 20%, facilitating the use of coal as a cleaner energy source.
Eliminates the requirement to separate and transport CO2 over long distances.
Facilitates a process that increases the growth rate of the algal community as well its stability.
Provides a mechanism to optimally utilize the area of the fabric plates for the growth of the algae.
Facilitates the maximization of CO2 consumption due to the ample population of algae.
Printable Overview