Performance Evaluation of Algae Photobioreactor Integrated with Flue Gas CO2 Utilization for Bioenergy

Abstract

The increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions from industrial activities has intensified the need for sustainable carbon capture and renewable bioenergy production technologies. This study presents a performance evaluation of an algae photobioreactor integrated with flue gas CO₂ utilization for enhanced bioenergy generation and carbon mitigation. The proposed system combines microalgae cultivation with industrial flue gas treatment to simultaneously achieve carbon dioxide sequestration and biomass production under controlled operational conditions. A detailed experimental and analytical investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of flue gas composition, light intensity, nutrient concentration, gas flow rate, and reactor configuration on algal growth performance and CO₂ absorption efficiency. The photobioreactor was designed to maximize gas-liquid mass transfer and photosynthetic activity while minimizing operational energy requirements. Results demonstrated significant enhancement in algal biomass productivity and carbon fixation efficiency through effective utilization of flue gas-derived carbon dioxide. The integrated system also exhibited substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improved bioenergy feedstock generation compared to conventional cultivation methods. Furthermore, analysis of biomass characteristics indicated favorable biochemical composition suitable for biofuel conversion processes such as biodiesel and biogas production. The study highlights the effectiveness of photobioreactor integration for sustainable waste-to-energy applications and industrial emission control.