(90e) Synergy of Biological and Chemical Processes for High-Efficiency CO2 Capture and Utilization

The power industry in the U.S. emits more than 1.8 gigaton of CO2 (30% of the total CO2 emissions) per year. New solutions are urgently needed to capture and utilize the CO2. An integrated solution including algal cultivation, chemical CO2 absorption, and polymer production was developed to synergistically combine biological and chemical processes with the power plant operation to efficiently capture CO2 and produce value-added chemicals. A pilot system has been established at the Michigan State University power plant, which has been running for more than a year to develop the combined biological and chemical solution. The results from pilot operations were used to carry out a system design. A detailed techno-economic analysis was then conducted on the selected system to conclude a feasible solution for the power industry.