CO2 flue gas capture for cultivation of Spirulina platensis in paper mill effluent medium

Abstract

A Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from the boiler is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) which must be reduced. Nowadays, the boiler emissions discharged into the atmosphere has not been utilized yet. An experiment of Spirulina platensis cultivation in laboratory scale with the addition of CO2 flue gas of coal-fired boilers has been done. CO2 flue gas with a flow rate of 0.25-0.75 L/min was added into paper mill effluent as the growth medium of Spirulina platensis. The biomass growing of Spirulina platensis, pH of medium and CO2 captured during the experiment were observed. The result indicated that CO2 flue gas of coal-fired boilers of the paper mill could be utilized for cultivating of Spirulina platensis. The biomass productivity of Spirulina platensis in the amount of 220 mg/L.day or 39 g/m2.day could be obtained with the addition of CO2 flue gas in the flow rate of 0.75 L/min. Spirulina platensis contains protein, fat, fiber, ash and amino acids. It also contains sodium, calcium and magnesium. But it has no cadmium content. It is potentially be used as animal dietary supplements. CO2 flue gas from the boiler emission can be used for cultivation of Spirulina platensis and contribute in reducing of CO2 gas boiler emissions like greenhouse gases (GHG) by 0.20% of total CO2 added.