Method to optimize the utilization of captured carbon dioxide through the cultivation and processing of microalgae

摘要

A method for cultivating and processing microalgae includes directing a continuous supply of carbon dioxide into an enclosed photobioreactor containing microalgae. The enclosed photobioreactor is exposed to insolation for the cultivation of the microalgae by means of controlled photosynthesis chemical reactions. The microalgae are cultivated and the microalgae are processed to create an algae biomass and a gaseous mixture. The algae biomass is extracted to produce an essentially pure algae oil and oil free algae biomass. The gaseous mixture is separated into unreacted carbon dioxide and oxygen. The separated unreacted carbon dioxide is recycled to the photobioreactor and the oxygen in excess of export quantity is stored.

主权项

1. A method for cultivating and processing microalgae, comprising:
directing a continuous supply of carbon dioxide into an enclosed photobioreactor containing microalgae; exposing the enclosed photobioreactor to insolation for the cultivation of the microalgae by means of controlled photosynthesis chemical reactions; cultivating the microalgae and processing the microalgae to create an algae biomass and a gaseous mixture; separating the algae biomass from the gaseous mixture; extracting and separating the algae biomass as essentially pure algae oil and oil-free algae biomass; separating the gaseous mixture into unreacted carbon dioxide for recycling and oxygen for export; recycling the separated unreacted carbon dioxide to the photobioreactor; storing the oxygen in preparation for export; wherein the separation of the gaseous mixture into unreacted carbon dioxide and oxygen comprises: compressing the gaseous mixture of unreacted carbon dioxide and oxygen; cooling the compressed gaseous mixture to a temperature where the carbon dioxide condenses into a liquid carbon dioxide and can be separated from the oxygen; reducing the pressure of the liquid carbon dioxide to a level required for storage; separating the carbon dioxide thus produced as vapor, and recycling the carbon dioxide vapor for recompression and condensation; and compressing the oxygen separated from the liquid carbon dioxide to pressure levels causing a liquefaction of the oxygen.