Assessment of microalgal atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestration systems.

摘要

The objective of this thesis is to evaluate an atmospheric carbon dioxide sequestration system which uses microalgae, which perform photosynthesis, to capture carbon dioxide. The microalgae are sent to the deep ocean for long term storage where they would remain for between 300 and 1000 years. The system used to capture the carbon dioxide consists of large unmixed ponds which grow microalgae species Dunaliella located in Western Australia. The microalgae are disposed to the deep ocean through a pipeline connected to the shore or through a suspended vertical pipe connected to a ship or floating platform. The low diffusion of carbon dioxide form the atmosphere to the pond medium results in the cost per tonne of CO2 sequestered being higher than that for capturing CO2 from a coal fired power plant and injecting it into the deep ocean. Therefore this system is not economically feasible.