利用微藻固定CO2实现碳减排的研究进展

CO2减排是目前社会经济发展所面临的重大环境问题之一,如何高效、绿色地进行减排已成为各国科研工作者关注与研究的热点。利用微藻技术进行减排符合碳循环规律,显示出很好的应用前景。本文结合笔者近年在利用微藻技术进行碳减排方面的研究工作,从固定CO2的微藻选育、微藻的培养、微藻减排在光生物反应器方面的开发以及CO2减排与污水深度处理及高价值生物质生产的耦合等4个方面对近些年来国内外在利用微藻技术实现CO2减排方面的研究情况进行了归纳与评述,并对前景进行了展望。     

产油嗜碱绿球藻MC-1的烟气适应性

为了降低微藻产油成本和减少温室气体的排放,利用煤炭烟气培养一株具有pH快速漂移和高碱适应特性的产油微藻Chlorococcum alkaliphilus MC-1.首先于15L光生物反应器中分三组(空白组、CO2组和烟气组)进行小体积培养实验,然后在24 m2开放式跑道池中进行放大培养,研究了微藻MC-1对烟气培养的适应性.结果表明,在光生物反应器培养实验中,烟气组的最高生物量浓度、生长速率、藻体总脂含量和CO2固定速率分别为:(1.02±0.07) g/L、(0.12±0.02) g/(L·d)、(37.84±0.58)％和(0.20±0.02) g/(L·d),比CO2组分别提高了36％、33.33％、15.34％和33.33％.在开放式跑道池培养实验中,烟气与纯CO2的培养效果相似,烟气培养下的最高生物量浓度、生长速率、藻体总脂含量和CO2固定速率分别为:147.40 g/m2、14.73 g/(m2·d)、35.72％和24.01 g/(m2·d);烟气培养产出的藻粉中有毒重金属Pb、As、Cd和Cr的含量均低于国家限量标准.实验同时测定了烟气培养下藻液对烟气中CO2、NO和SO2的吸收效果,结果显示,在光生物反应器和开放式跑道池培养中此三种气体的平均吸收率均高于以往研究结果.上述结果说明,该藻能适应烟气培养条件,耦合微藻MC-1产油与烟气减排的室外放大培养是可行的.     

微藻固定CO2研究进展

空气中CO2浓度升高所导致的温室效应已成为重大的环境问题,受到人们普遍关注.概述了高效固定CO2微藻藻种的筛选和培养方法,分析了微藻固定CO2的无机碳利用形式和浓缩机制,讨论了高效光生物反应器设计和运行目标,简要介绍了微藻(酶)-膜生物反应器集成新技术.并认为今后的研究方向主要是在进一步探索微藻固定CO2有关机理的基础上,构建高效固定CO2的转基因微藻,开发高效膜生物反应集成系统.     

微藻固碳技术研究现状及发展思路

人类工农业生产造成大量CO2的排放,特别是化石原料的大量使用,使大气中CO2浓度升高,产生温室效应.采用微藻固碳技术对集中排放的CO2进行合理利用,是一个实现碳减排和碳循环的可行方法.如何经济合理的实现该技术的产业化成为关键.文章对微藻固碳技术的研究现状进行了归纳分析,并对微藻固定CO2技术的发展及产业化前景进行了探讨.     

产生物柴油微藻培养研究进展

石油的大量使用会导致能源枯竭和温室气体（CO2）排放的增加。为了实现经济和环境的和谐发展,必须使用可再生能源代替石油。可再生能源使用后不会造成温室气体排放的增加。生物柴油是一种理想的可再生能源, 能满足以上要求,所以近年来得到迅速发展。微藻是一种主要利用太阳能固定 CO2,生成制备生物柴油所需油脂的藻类。因此以微藻油脂为原料转化成的生物柴油是石油理想的替代品。简要介绍了产油微藻的种类和微藻油脂的合成,较详细地阐述了微藻自养培养、异养培养、生物反应器、工程微藻的最新研究进展,并初步展望了微藻产油研究的未来发展方向。     

微藻生物固碳技术在“双碳”目标中的应用前景

微藻生长速度快、CO₂固定效率高,每生产1 t微藻生物质可固定1.83 t CO₂。同时,微藻还可将固定的CO₂转化为油脂、蛋白质、多糖、色素和不饱和脂肪酸等物质,能够实现CO₂的高值化利用。因此,微藻生物固碳技术在CO₂捕集和利用方面具有极大的发展潜能。本文首先阐述了高效固定CO₂藻株的选育、提高微藻生物固定CO₂的培养策略、微藻处理烟道气化合物技术、微藻高效培养光生物反应器的开发及新兴技术助力微藻碳减排等内容,再结合现阶段微藻生物固碳技术所面临的挑战,展望了微藻生物固定CO₂在“双碳”目标中的应用前景,以期为利用微藻高效固定CO₂、高值化利用CO₂提供参考,从而加速“双碳”目标的实现。     

二氧化碳减排产柴油微藻培养体系研究进展

污水资源化、二氧化碳减排及微藻生物柴油是当前能源与环境领域的前沿课题。以下围绕污水及烟道气资源化培养产油微藻的培养体系,就藻种、营养条件、培养方式、培养环境及微藻生物反应器等影响产油微藻培养的因素研究进展进行了综述。在综述的基础上提出：由于微藻具有特殊营养方式,通过藻种筛选、微藻营养条件和培养环境的优化以及高效光生物反应器和生产工艺等的创新,可利用污水进行产油微藻生产,以获得生物柴油等高附加值产品,实现微藻生物能源、污水资源化处理和CO2减排三者高度耦合的产油微藻生产体系,从而减少微藻培养费用及污水处理费用,因此,该体系具有重要的环境、社会、经济价值和商业化应用前景。     

大规模微藻光生物反应器的研究进展

微藻同时具备CO2固定和有机废水生物净化的双重效果,且微藻生物质在食品、饲(饵)料、生物能源开发等领域受到广泛关注,然而高效的微藻光生物反应器是微藻大规模养殖的重要瓶颈问题之一。本文中,笔者综述了封闭式微藻光生物反应器的类型、基本结构及其优缺点,对开放式微藻光合反应器陆续被改善、研发和试用进行了介绍,同时对开发复合型微藻光合反应器以及采用封闭型微藻光合反应器制种和开放式光合反应器快速生产的微藻养殖模式进行了简述,以期为微藻的大规模培养提供一定参考依据。     

微藻生物柴油研发态势分析

微藻是光合效率最高的原始植物之一,与农作物相比,单位面积的产率可高出数十倍。微藻生物柴油技术首先包括微藻的筛选和培育,获得性状优良的高含油量藻种,然后在光生物反应器中吸收阳光、CO2等,生成微藻生物质,最后经过采收、加工,转化为微藻生物柴油。完整的微藻生物柴油成套技术链涵盖多个技术环节,是一个复杂的系统工程,包括微藻生物工程技术、微藻高效规模化养殖技术,以及微藻生物质采收、加工与转化技术等。其中,降低生产成本是当前微藻生物柴油研究面临的主要挑战,各国的研究机构为此开展了多方面的研究。     

不同二氧化碳浓度培养对两株栅藻碳固定速率及油脂积累的影响

正人类在利用化石燃料的过程中会导致大量有害温室气体CO_2的排放,促进全球气候变暖。微藻可通过光合作用固定CO_2,同时大量的微藻生物质还能作为生物能源的原料[1],因此,越来越多的研究关注于微藻生物固碳以达到降低碳排放的目的。利用微藻光合作用进行CO_2固定是一种能量节约型和环境友好型技术手段[2]。在利用微藻进行CO_2生物固定以及生物燃料生产时,研究微藻的CO_2固定能力、CO_2对微藻的生长以及油脂积累的影响等都是十分重要的。国内外利用微藻进行生     

CO2 biofixation and fatty acid composition of Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella pyrenoidosa in response to different CO2 levels

In this study, Scenedesmus obliquus SJTU-3 and Chlorella pyrenoidosa SJTU-2 were cultivated with 0.03%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% CO(2). The two microalgae could grow at 50% CO(2) (>0.69 g L(-1)) and grew well (>1.22 g L(-1)) under CO(2) concentrations ranging from 5% to 20%. Both of the two examined microalgae showed best growth potential at 10% CO(2). The maximum biomass concentration and CO(2) biofixation rate were 1.84 g L(-1) and 0.288 g L(-1) d(-1) for S. obliquus SJTU-3 and 1.55 g L(-1) and 0.260 g L(-1) d(-1) for C. pyrenoidosa SJTU-2, respectively. The main fatty acid compositions of the two examined microalgae were fatty acids with C(16)-C(18) (>94%) under different CO(2) levels. High CO(2) levels (30-50%) were favorable for the accumulation of total lipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present results suggested that the two microalgae be appropriate for mitigating CO(2) in the flue gases and biodiesel production.     

Flue gas compounds and microalgae: (Bio-)chemical interactions leading to biotechnological opportunities

Flue gases are a resource yet to be fully utilised in microalgal biotechnology, not only to moderate the anthropogenic effects on our climate, but also to steer microalgal resource management towards innovative applications of microalgal biomass compounds. These gases, both untreated and treated into current discharge standards, contain CO₂, N₂, H₂O, O₂, NO_x, SO_x, C_xH_y, CO, particulate matter, halogen acids and heavy metals. To better steer and engineer flue gas-fed microalgal cultures, all these compounds need to be considered. Therefore, here, we review (i) the chemical composition and treatment technologies of flue gas, (ii) the uptake pathways and removal of the different compounds in microalgae reactors, and (iii) the tolerance and effects on microalgae of all flue gas compounds. By emphasising the interactions between microalgae and flue gas compounds, we envisage new pathways for microalgal biomass valorisation such as enzyme production for environmental technology, novel biogas production and biosequestration of minerals. Furthermore, we highlight fundamental and applied research niches that merit further investigation.     

Biofixation of CO2 from synthetic combustion gas using cultivated microalgae in three-stage serial tubular photobioreactors

Coal is the most abundant of the fossil fuels, with reserves estimated at 102 billions of tons. The feasibility of using coal as a fuel depends upon reducing emissions of gas when it is burnt, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SO(x)), and nitrogen oxides (NO(x)). The removal of CO2 with microalgae may be one of the most efficient ways of reducing this gas, without the need for radical changes in the world's energy supply and production methods. Spirulina sp. LEB-18 and Scenedesmus obliquus LEB-22 were cultivated in serial tubular photobioreactors, with the aim of measuring the potential of CO2 biofixation and the resistance of the microalgae to SO2 and NO. Spirulina sp. and S. obliquus had CO2 biofixation scores of 0.27 and 0.22 g L(-1) d(-1), respectively. Both microalgae were resistant to SO2 and NO, and grew during the 15 d they were cultivated, which proves that using microalgae is an efficient method of biofixation of CO2 emitted when fossil fuels are burnt.     

Microalgal removal of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> from flue gases: Changes in medium pH and flue gas composition do not appear to affect the photochemical yield of microalgal cultures

Our research objectives are to determine under what conditions microalgal-based CO₂ capture from flue gases is economically attractive. Specifically, our objective here was to select microalgae that are temperature, pH and flue gas tolerant. Microalgae were grown under five different temperatures, three different pH and five different flue gas mixtures besides 100% CO₂ (gas concentrations that the cells were exposed to ranged 5.7–100% CO₂, 0–3504 ppm SO₂, 0–328 ppm NO, and 0–126 ppm NO₂). Our results indicate that the microalgal strains tested exhibit a substantial ability to withstand a wide range of temperature (54 strains tested), pH (20 strains tested) and flue gas composition (24 strains tested) likely to be encountered in cultures used for carbon sequestration from smoke stack gases. Our results indicate that microalgal photosynthesis is a limited but viable strategy for CO₂ capture from flue gases produced by stationary combustion sources.     

Utilization of flue gas for cultivation of microalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.) in an outdoor open thin-layer photobioreactor

Flue gas generated by combustion of natural gas in a boiler was used for outdoor cultivation of Chlorella sp. in a 55 m² culture area photobioreactor. A 6 mm thick layer of algal suspension continuously running down the inclined lanes of the bioreactor at 50 cm s⁻¹ was exposed to sunlight. Flue gas containing 6–8% by volume of CO₂ substituted for more costly pure CO₂ as a source of carbon for autotrophic growth of algae. The degree of CO₂ mitigation (flue gas decarbonization) in the algal suspension was 10–50% and decreased with increasing flue gas injection rate into the culture. A dissolved CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂) higher than 0.1 kPa was maintained in the suspension at the end of the 50 m long culture area in order to prevent limitation of algal growth by CO₂. NO_X and CO gases (up to 45 mg m⁻³ NO_X and 3 mg m⁻³ CO in flue gas) had no negative influence on the growth of the alga. On summer days the following daily net productivities of algae [g (dry weight) m⁻²] were attained in comparative parallel cultures: flue gas = 19.4–22.8; pure CO₂ = 19.1–22.6. Net utilization (η) of the photosynthetically active radiant (PAR) energy was: flue gas = 5.58–6.94%; pure CO₂ = 5.49–6.88%. The mass balance of CO₂ obtained for the flue gas stream and for the algal suspension was included in a mathematical model, which permitted the calculation of optimum flue gas injection rate into the photobioreactor, dependent on the time course of irradiance and culture temperature. It was estimated that about 50% of flue gas decarbonization can be attained in the photobioreactor and 4.4 kg of CO₂ is needed for production of 1 kg (dry weight) algal biomass. A scheme of a combined process of farm unit size is proposed; this includes anaerobic digestion of organic agricultural wastes, production and combustion of biogas, and utilization of flue gas for production of microalgal biomass, which could be used in animal feeds. A preliminary quantitative assessment of the microalgae production is presented.     

Cultivation of newly isolated microalgae Coelastrum sp. in wastewater for simultaneous CO2 fixation,lipid production and wastewater treatment

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Cultivation of microalgae in wastewater is a promising and cost-effective approach for both CO2 biofixation and wastewater remediation. In this study, a new...     

Development of a process for efficient use of CO2 from flue gases in the production of photosynthetic microorganisms

A new methodology to use efficiently flue gases as CO(2) source in the production of photosynthetic microorganisms is proposed. The CO(2) is absorbed in an aqueous phase that is then regenerated by microalgae. Carbonated solutions could absorb up to 80% of the CO(2) from diluted gas reaching total inorganic carbon (TIC) concentrations up to 2.0 g/L. The pH of the solution was maintained at 8.0-10.0 by the bicarbonate/carbonate buffer, so it is compatible with biological regeneration. The absorption process was modeled and the kinetic parameters were determined. Anabaena sp. demonstrated to tolerate pH (8.0-10.0) and TIC (up to 2.0 g/L) conditions imposed by the absorption step. Experiments of regeneration of the liquid phase demonstrated the feasibility of the overall process, converting CO(2) into organic matter. The developed process avoids heating to regenerate the liquid whereas maximizing the efficiency of CO(2) use, which is relevant to achieve the commercial production of biofuels from microalgae.     

Microbial CO conversions with applications in synthesis gas purification and bio-desulfurization

Recent advances in the field of microbial physiology demonstrate that carbon monoxide is a readily used substrate by a wide variety of anaerobic micro-organisms, and may be employed in novel biotechnological processes for production of bulk and fine chemicals or in biological treatment of waste streams. Synthesis gas produced from fossil fuels or biomass is rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Conversion of carbon monoxide to hydrogen allows use of synthesis gas in existing hydrogen utilizing processes and is interesting in view of a transition from hydrogen production from fossil fuels to sustainable (CO2-neutral) biomass. The conversion of CO with H2O to CO2 and H2 is catalyzed by a rapidly increasing group of micro-organisms. Hydrogen is a preferred electron donor in biotechnological desulfurization ofwastewaters and flue gases. Additionally, CO is a good alternative electron donor considering the recent isolation of a CO oxidizing, sulfate reducing bacterium. Here we review CO utilization by various anaerobic micro-organisms and their possible role in biotechnological processes, with a focus on hydrogen production and bio-desulfurization.