CO2 Capture and Recycle Using Microalgae
Mark Crocker
- Associate Director, University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research
Given the potential of microalgae for recycling CO2 into bio-products coupled with the large number of coal-fired power plants in Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has tasked the University of Kentucky with determining the technical and economic feasibility of algae-based carbon capture and utilization in Kentucky. These efforts have led to the development and on-going deployment of a pilot-scale photobioreactor system at Duke Energy’s East Bend station focused on process development/ improvement, power plant integration, and the implementation of strategies to increase algae growth rates.
We have also developed a protocol for the harvesting and dewatering of algae (with minimal energy input) based on flocculation-sedimentation and for the conversion of extracted lipids to liquid hydrocarbons by means of catalytic deoxygenation. This talk will focus on recent developments in this project, as well as providing a brief overview of other activities at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research.
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.