Microalgal Sequestration and Conversion of CO2 Into Biofuels

Votes: 33
Views: 1051

Fuels play a major role in our day-to-day life. There will be a high demand for these resources that are used for the production of fuels in upcoming years. One possible remedy for this issue is biofuels. So, we are going to use microalgae to convert CO2 into biofuel. Microalgae have 10 to 50 times more carbon sequestering potential than terrestrial plants. Utilizing their ability to convert CO2 into biofuel, microalgae have shown great promise as a sustainable source of nutrients, and biofuels. They have many benefits, including high photosynthetic efficiency, rapid growth, and the ability to cultivate on non-agricultural soil and agro-industrial waste. Chlorella and Scenedesmus obliquus species and microalgae have a high potential to capture carbon dioxide. This can be accomplished by turning readily available microalgae biomass into biofuel.

The amine scrubbing process widely used in industries can absorb the carbon dioxide produced by the industries. The optimization includes nutrition supplements, temperature, pH, and light. This is helpful for the better growth of microalgae. After the injection of CO2 in the grown microalgae, the biofuel is separated. For the downstream process, the sludge (biomass) is settled down. The microalgal biomass is mainly composed of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.

We are doing our project in pivot scale, for the pretreatment of Chlorella and Scenedesmus obliquus species, we are using “Photobioreactor.” We are providing a combination of Chlorella and Scenedesmus obliquus species in the biofuel. This supports the promotion of algae-based biofuel. The byproduct of this biofuel might be used as fertilizers. When it comes to large-scale production, the conversion of algal biomass into biofuel requires multiple processes like bulk harvesting (flocculation, flotation, gravity sedimentation), and thickening (centrifugation, filtration, and ultrasonic aggregation) each with its own set of obstacles and opportunities. This research aims to improve conversion efficiencies and lower costs.

Keywords: Chlorella and Scenedesmus obliquus species, Biofuel, carbon sequestration, photobioreactor, conversion efficiencies.

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  • ABOUT THE ENTRANT

  • Name:
    Ilakkya S
  • Type of entry:
    team
    Team members:
    • ILAKKYA S
    • LANSA C
    • MEENATCHI SUNDARAM P.V
    • DHARNESH R
  • Patent status:
    pending