(613b) System Design, Development, and Integration of a Solar-Energy Driven Process for Microalgae Fixation of Carbon Dioxide

Due to the strong evidence of human-induced climate change, the international community has taken a collaborative approach in an effort to reduce the emission of global-warming gases, most notable carbon dioxide generated from energy providers, especially coal-burning plants. The strategetic policy proposed by the ROC government is also concurrently promoting energy-saving and/or renewable energy technologies as part of the adaptation and mitigation options. In these technologies, biological mitigation have been regarded as one of most environmentally benign processes that can meet the foresight of sustainable socio-economical development, and will be the core of the ?green technologies? for the future development.

This study involves an integrated carbon reduction system that encompasses biological process and renewable energy technology. The system will use a specific microalgae incubated in a close-loop photobioreactor to achieve carbon dioxide fixation, whereas the spent microalgae will become a rich source of added-value products such as biodiesel, feedstock or compliment food. The energy that drives the system will be provided by an III-V compound semiconductor, high-efficiency concentration photovoltaic cell module that illuminates low-consumption LED as the light source. This system thus forms a self-sufficient energy loop with continuous reduction of carbon dioxide by the high-density microalgal culture. The conceptual framework of this system takes advantage of the maturing industries in both the photovoltaic solar cell, LED, and microalgal cultivation in Taiwan.

This study is still in a prelimnary stage, with separate studies involving microalgae growth and carbon fixation capability, solid/liquid separation processes, as well as light utilization rate of the photobioreactor.