The Effect of Light Wavelength on CO 2 Capture, Biomass Production and Nutrient Uptake by Green Microalgae: A Step Forward on Process Integration and Optimisation

Ana F. Esteves, Olívia S. G. P. Soares, Vítor J. P. Vilar, José C. M. Pires and Ana L. Gonçalves
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Ana F. Esteves: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Olívia S. G. P. Soares: Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Vítor J. P. Vilar: Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering-Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
José C. M. Pires: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Ana L. Gonçalves: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: Microalgae have drawn the attention of several researchers as an alternative to the traditional physicochemical CO 2 capture methods, since they can convert CO 2 and water into organic matter and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Microalgal growth can be improved by changing light supply, such as light intensity, wavelength, and photoperiod. In this study, the effect of different light wavelengths on CO 2 capture, nutrient removal from a synthetic effluent and biomass production of Chlorella vulgaris , Tetradesmus obliquus and Neochloris oleoabundans was studied. The experiments were conducted with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with different wavelengths: 380–750 nm (white), 620–750 nm (red) and 450–495 nm (blue). The maximum specific growth rate was obtained by N. oleoabundans with white LEDs (0.264 ± 0.005 d −1 ), whereas the maximum biomass productivity (14 ± 4 mg dw L −1 d −1 ) and CO 2 fixation rate (11.4 mg CO2 L −1 d −1 ) were obtained by C. vulgaris (also with white LEDs). Nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies obtained under white light conditions were also the highest for the three studied microalgae.

Keywords: CO 2 capture; LEDs; light wavelength; microalgae; nutrient removal; process integration; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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