Method for reducing carbon dioxide emission and fossil fuel consumption in fossil fuel power plant

摘要

A method of reducing carbon dioxide emission and coal consumption in a fossil fuel power plant by capturing exhaust carbon dioxide in an aqueous solution of algal species in a bioreactor, growing and harvesting the said algal species and using as substitution for fossil fuel (Figure 1). Advantageously the method has particular applications for effective harvesting of algal species from the aqueous solution, first through the use of a hydrodynamic vortex separator, in particular, integrated within the algal growth bioreactor (raceway type, Figure 2) then dewatering and drying of the separated algal species in a filter press using the heat recovered from the power plant exhaust. The method preferably further enhances the performance of algal separation in the hydrodynamic vortex separator and dewatering and drying by the use of fly ash as flocculating agent. Preferably the dried algal species is then reused as partial substitution to fossil fuel hence reducing proportionally the emission of carbon dioxide and the consumption of fossil fuel.