Carbon Capture at the Point Source: CO2 Gas Bubbling vs. Bicarbonate Supplementation in Microalgal Cultivation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2025.10991Keywords:
Carbon capture, CO2, CCUS, GHG emission, Microalgae, Cultivation, Bicarbonate, Bubbling, Carbon capture, CO2, CCUS, GHG emission, Microalgae, Cultivation, Bicarbonate, BubblingAbstract
Mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from industrial point sources is a key challenge for effective climate action. Among emerging carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, large-scale microalgal cultivation offers a sustainable pathway to converting carbon emissions into valuable biomass. This review evaluates 2 practical carbon supply strategies for microalgal systems - CO2-based and bicarbonate-based approaches - highlighting their respective technical performance and operational requirements. By comparing these systems in the context of practical integration with industrial emitters, we aim to clarify key trade-offs and operational considerations. This assessment provides a framework for optimizing microalgae-based carbon capture technologies and informs future design and deployment of emission-integrated microalgal cultivation systems. In comparison to the CO2-based system, the bicarbonate-based carbon supply system is a more effective choice for microalgae cultivation system in carbon capture project, according to the study’s findings. The Net energy Ratio (NER) of this bicarbonate-based cultivation system is 7.29, significantly greater than that of the CO2-based bubbling system, which only has a NER value of 0.85. This extremely high value can contribute to the project’s overall financial viability.
HIGHLIGHTS
- This review compares two carbon supply strategies for microalgal cultivation: CO₂ bubbling and bicarbonate supplementation.
- Bicarbonate supplementation achieves higher CO₂ fixation efficiency and significantly reduces energy demand compared to CO₂ bubbling.
- The bicarbonate-based system shows a Net Energy Ratio (NER) of 7.29, far exceeding the CO₂ bubbling method (NER = 0.85).
- Findings provide guidance for optimizing emission-integrated microalgal carbon capture and improving project financial viability.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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