Reduction of CO2 by a high-density culture of Chlorella sp. in a semicontinuous photobioreactor

Bioresour Technol. 2008 Jun;99(9):3389-96. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.08.013. Epub 2007 Sep 27.

Abstract

The microalga incorporated photobioreactor is a highly efficient biological system for converting CO2 into biomass. Using microalgal photobioreactor as CO2 mitigation system is a practical approach for elimination of waste gas from the CO2 emission. In this study, the marine microalga Chlorella sp. was cultured in a photobioreactor to assess biomass, lipid productivity and CO2 reduction. We also determined the effects of cell density and CO2 concentration on the growth of Chlorella sp. During an 8-day interval cultures in the semicontinuous cultivation, the specific growth rate and biomass of Chlorella sp. cultures in the conditions aerated 2-15% CO2 were 0.58-0.66 d(-1) and 0.76-0.87 gL(-1), respectively. At CO2 concentrations of 2%, 5%, 10% and 15%, the rate of CO2 reduction was 0.261, 0.316, 0.466 and 0.573 gh(-1), and efficiency of CO2 removal was 58%, 27%, 20% and 16%, respectively. The efficiency of CO2 removal was similar in the single photobioreactor and in the six-parallel photobioreactor. However, CO2 reduction, production of biomass, and production of lipid were six times greater in the six-parallel photobioreactor than those in the single photobioreactor. In conclusion, inhibition of microalgal growth cultured in the system with high CO2 (10-15%) aeration could be overcome via a high-density culture of microalgal inoculum that was adapted to 2% CO2. Moreover, biological reduction of CO2 in the established system could be parallely increased using the photobioreactor consisting of multiple units.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Bioreactors / microbiology*
  • Calibration
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism*
  • Carbon Dioxide / pharmacology
  • Chlorella / cytology*
  • Chlorella / growth & development
  • Chlorella / metabolism*
  • Chlorella / radiation effects
  • Light*
  • Lipids / biosynthesis
  • Oxidation-Reduction / drug effects
  • Oxidation-Reduction / radiation effects

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Carbon Dioxide