Mass transfer characteristics and biological effect of flue gas during
microalgae culture
Abstract
Not only carbon dioxide (CO2) but also air pollutants, such as sulfur
oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), are present in flue gas, and
their reasonable and effective utilization is conducive to reducing the
cost of microalgal biomass production. By utilizing simulated flue gas,
the absorption characteristics of different components in transfer units
were explored. The results showed that the presence of SO2 decreased the
absorptivity of CO2, which reduced the concentration of the available
carbon source for microalgal cells in the culture medium at the same pH
value. Moreover, the presence of high-concentration oxygen (O2) in flue
gas could improve the absorptivity of nitric oxide (NO). Scenedesmus
dimorphus was cultured by using sulfur- or nitrogen-deficient culture
media. The results showed that SOx and NOx in flue gas did not
significantly influence the growth and biochemical compositions of
microalgal cells when these gases were dissolved in water. Based on the
above results and the metabolic kinetics of microalgal cells for
nutrient elements, an adjustment strategy for the initial gas source
when culturing microalgae with flue gas is proposed: (1) flue gas should
be partially desulfurized so that the SOx and CO2 concentrations after
desulfurization satisfy a certain relationship with the components; and
(2) denitrification should not be performed because flue gas can be
oxidized before utilization to increase the rate of utilization of NO.