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In order for microalgae to be a cost-effective renewable energy source, a high CO2-transfer efficiency (CTE) is necessary. Using hollow-fiber membranes (HFM), membrane carbonation (MC) in microalgal cultivation can be used to achieve a CTE near 100%. Due to the diurnal cycle in outdoor algal cultivation, an inconsistent CO2 demand

In order for microalgae to be a cost-effective renewable energy source, a high CO2-transfer efficiency (CTE) is necessary. Using hollow-fiber membranes (HFM), membrane carbonation (MC) in microalgal cultivation can be used to achieve a CTE near 100%. Due to the diurnal cycle in outdoor algal cultivation, an inconsistent CO2 demand with temperature fluctuations can cause pore wetting of the inner and outer fiber layers in composite HFMs. In addition, the presence of supersaturated O2 during high algal growth may change the gas transfer dynamics of the fibers, which can be critical when trying to selectively remove CO2 from a valuable gas such as biogas. This study evaluated fiber performance under conditions that mimic these effects by analyzing the carbon transfer efficiency (CTE), CO2 flux (JCO2), and outlet CO2 concentration compared to baseline values. Wetting of the interior fiber macropores resulted in an average 32% ± 8.3% decrease in flux, which was greater than for flooding of the outer macropores, which showed no significant change. All tests resulted in a decrease in CTE and an increase in outlet CO2. The presence of elevated O2 levels did not decrease the CO2 flux compared to baseline values, but it increased the O2 concentration and decreased the CH4 concentration at the distal end of the fibers. These findings highlight that liquid accumulation can decrease HFM performance during MC for microalgal cultivation, while the presence of supersaturated O2 can reduce separation efficiency.

ContributorsFrias, Zoe (Author) / Rittmann, Bruce (Thesis director) / Eustance, Everett (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2021-12
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Description
Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere have reached unprecedented levels due to increasing anthropogenic emissions and increasing energy demand. CO2 capture and utilization can aid in stabilizing atmospheric CO2 levels and producing carbon-neutral fuels. Utilizing hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) for microalgal cultivation accomplishes that via bubbleless gas-transfer,

Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere have reached unprecedented levels due to increasing anthropogenic emissions and increasing energy demand. CO2 capture and utilization can aid in stabilizing atmospheric CO2 levels and producing carbon-neutral fuels. Utilizing hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) for microalgal cultivation accomplishes that via bubbleless gas-transfer, preventing CO2 loss to the atmosphere. Various lengths and geometries of HFMs were used to deliver CO2 to a sodium carbonate solution. A model was developed to calculate CO2 flux, mass-transfer coefficient (KL), and volumetric mass-transfer coefficient (KLa) based on carbonate equilibrium and the alkalinity of the solution. The model was also applied to a sparging system, whose performance was compared with that of the HFMs. Typically, HFMs are operated in closed-end mode or open-end mode. The former is characterized by a high transfer efficiency, while the latter provides the advantage of a high transfer rate. HFMs were evaluated for both modes of operation and a varying inlet CO2 concentration to determine the effect of inert gas and water vapor accumulation on transfer rates. For pure CO2, a closed-end module operated as efficiently as an open-end module. Closed-end modules perform significantly worse when CO2-enriched air was supplied. This was shown by the KLa values calculated using the model. Finally, a mass-balance model was constructed for the lumen of the membranes in order to provide insight into the gas-concentration profiles inside the fiber lumen. For dilute CO2 inlet streams, accumulation of inert gases -- nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and water vapor (H2O) -- significantly affected module performance by reducing the average CO2 partial pressure in the membrane and diminishing the amount of interfacial mass-transfer area available for CO2 transfer.
ContributorsShesh, Tarun (Author) / Rittmann, Bruce E. (Thesis advisor) / Green, Matthew (Committee member) / Torres, Cesar (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018