Effect of membrane on carbonation and carbon dioxide uptake of Chlorella sp.

Abstract

Recent studies showed that as low as 5% CO2 increased microalgae growth. However, common bioreactor operation resulted in low carbonation due to poor CO2 mass transfer and this inhibited CO2 uptake of microalgae. Although bubbling increases mass transfer of CO2-O2 exchange, preserving high dissolved CO2 remains the most challenging of microalgae cultivation in bioreactor. In order to increase high dissolved CO2 and CO2-O2 exchange, this study employed two types of membrane; hollow-fibre membrane for carbonation and hydrophobic membrane for deoxygenation. It was found that membrane increased carbonation from 20 % to 75 % when operated at control CO2 concentration. The hollow-fibre membrane capable of creating as small as 2 mm bubble which effective for high carbonation. At the same time, itincreased CO2 uptake up to 85% in bioreactor. The hydrophobic membrane removed 43% O2 from the bioreactor. Both membranes increased mass transfer of CO2-O2 exchange in bioreactor which stimulated microalgae growth.

Keywords

• Membrane
• microalgae
• carbonation
• deoxygenation
• Chlorella sp