Efficient CO2 delivery and algae cultivation system for chemical production
A novel system leveraging flue gas CO2 and formate for efficient algae cultivation, enhancing chemical production. This scalable system promises increased biomass productivity in outdoor environments.
Overview
This innovative system utilizes flue gas CO2 and formate as carbon and energy sources for cultivating algae biomass efficiently. Designed for chemical production, the system integrates a long-time cultured algal assemblage that has shown robust performance under continuous cultivation. The outcome is a scalable CO2 capture and utilization solution aimed at enhancing algal biomass accumulation, crucial for sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes flue gas CO2 and formate for algae biomass production
- Demonstrated productivity of 0.5 g/L/day in photobioreactors and expected >15 g/m2/day in raceway ponds
- Continuous cultivation under non-sterilized conditions with water recirculation
- Research includes nutrient management and optimization of culture conditions such as temperature and pH
- Microbial community analysis via 16S rRNA gene technologies for performance insights
Technology readiness level
This system is currently at TRL 4, with ongoing development focused on optimizing cultivation conditions and scaling the system in outdoor environments for enhanced biomass productivity.
About Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a major public land‑grant research university with a comprehensive academic portfolio and a large research enterprise. Industry partners engage through an on‑campus U.S. Department of Energy national user facility and shared core laboratories with user access. The university provides a chemical process scale‑up pilot plant on Michigan’s lakeshore, a research and technology park, and a Grand Rapids health innovation campus linking researchers with clinical partners. A statewide extension network supports field deployment and workforce training across Michigan’s manufacturing corridor. Research is backed by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD, while dedicated tech transfer and corporate engagement teams—supported by an affiliated research foundation—accelerate IP, licensing, startups, and sponsored research.
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