Thesis Archive
Carbon Dioxide Absorption Using Monoethanolamine and Biofixation by Chlorella vulgaris through Biomass Conversion (2012)
Abelardo, Laurenci-An
King, Alain Jerico
Querido, John Gabriel
Abstract:
-Gas absorption for CO2 capture using monoethanolamine (MEA) coupled with biofixation through the use of algae Chlorella Vulgaris in a flask-flat plate photobioreactor system was proposed to determine the feasibility of the system as an alternative treatment in order to achieve sustainable development without utilization of non-renewable energy resources. Designing of gas absorbers for CO2 capture is one of the focuses in carbon capture technology to produce an efficient system. In this study, kinetic parameters were determined for contribution in reactor design and confirmation of reaction order of CO2-MEA system. Based from the results, the kinetic rate constants obtained in a continuous gas absorption system were 0.0224s-1 and 0.0236 using pseudo first order and second order rate equation respectively. Taguchi optimization was done to the system in a semi-batch operation to determine the operating conditions to yield a high absorption capacity for the reactor. The optimum conditions were found to be 1.5cm packing length, 1.5 M MEA concentration, 0.0032M CO2 concentration and 0.185 for liquid to gas ratio which produced an absorption capacity of 0.344 . Product from gas absorption operated under optimum conditions were fed in the photobioreactor system for the biofixation of CO2 and nitrogen. The growth of Chlorella vulgaris in MEA-CO2 medium was determined using optical density and dry weight of the biomass. Results showed the need to harvest the biomass immediately at day 3 to prevent nutrient release during death phase observed at day 5. Logistics equation was used to determine the growth characteristics of the algae and parameters were found to be 0.09586h-1for the specific growth rate and β value of 1.127×10-6 using Table Curve software.
Adviser:
Mr. Joseph Auresenia
[email protected]