Advanced carbon sequestration by the hybrid system of photobioreactor and microbial fuel cell with novel photocatalytic porous framework

Abstract

A new hybrid system is proposed to capture CO₂ as well as generate electricity with the low CO₂ inlet condition of confined space. Within the system, a novel photocatalytic porous framework coated by g-C₃N₄/TiO₂ is prepared to avoid the inhibition of microalgae growth caused by the direct addition of photocatalyst. Under 0.8% v/v CO₂ inlet condition, chemical oxygen demand (COD) yields from the photocatalytic framework immersed in the phosphate buffer and the algae suspension are 1.63 mg L^-1 h^-1 and 1.90 mg L^-1 h^-1, respectively. CO₂ sequestration rate of a 60L cylindrical photobioreactor increases from 12% to 22%. The combination modes between photobioreactor and photocatalytic framework can be selected flexibly depends on the demands of application. This hybrid system not only benefits to enhance the CO₂ sequestration rate of photobioreactor but also has the potential to be served as the power source in a confined space.

Keywords: Chlorella; Dissolved organic carbon; Low concentration CO(2); Microbial fuel cell; Photocatalytic porous framework.