University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Improving the Economic Viability of Biological Utilization of Coal Power Plant CO2 by Improved Algae Productivity and Integration with Wastewater

Schideman, Lance

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113495

Description

Title
Improving the Economic Viability of Biological Utilization of Coal Power Plant CO2 by Improved Algae Productivity and Integration with Wastewater
Author(s)
Schideman, Lance
Contributor(s)
  • Helios-NRG
  • OBrien, Kevin C
  • Rajagopalan, Nandakishore
  • McCann, Joshua
Issue Date
2017
Keyword(s)
  • Algae
  • Carbon dioxide utilization
  • CO2 utilization
  • Wastewater
  • Algae cultivation
  • Algae dewatering
  • Algal biofuels
Abstract
"The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) at the University of Illinois, in partnership with Helios-NRG, will further develop a novel algae-based technology for efficient cost-effective capture and utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal-fired power plant flue gas to generate algal biomass products for which there is a large market (liquid transportation fuels and livestock animal feeds). The team will first produce selected algae strains in a cultivation environment infused with simulated flue gas and concentrated wastewater nutrient liquids at bench-scale and then transition to pilot-scale using a proprietary multi-stage bioreactor to achieve an average biomass productivity of 35 grams per square meter per day, and carbon capture above 70 percent. Nutrient input costs will be reduced by integrating algae cultivation with wastewater treatment operations, providing an extra revenue stream for wastewater nutrient removal, and potentially providing a low-cost method of transporting flue gas through the sewer system. Two novel membrane separation processes will be tested that can significantly reduce the cost and energy needed for dewatering algal biomass and concentrating the aqueous byproduct of hydrothermal conversion of algal biomass to biofuels. A techno-economic analysis and a life-cycle analysis will also be performed. This novel algae-based technology provides significant improvements in the cost and environmental impact of utilizing CO2 from coal-fired power plants by providing an economically viable method to grow algae biomass suitable for large-volume, value-added commodity markets.

Related projects "
Publisher
U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory
Series/Report Name or Number
Improving the Economic Viability of Biological Utilization of Coal Power Plant CO2 by Improved Algae Productivity and Integration with Wastewater
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
  • http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113495
  • https://netl.doe.gov/project-information?p=FE0030822
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
U.S. Department of Energy ; DE-FE0030822

Owning Collections

Research Projects -- Illinois Sustainable Technology Center PRIMARY
Completed research projects done by Illinois Sustainable Technology Center staff