Kanhaiya Kumar

Development of suitable photobioreactors for CO2 sequestration addressing global warming using green algae and cyanobacteria.

CO(2) sequestration by cyanobacteria and green algae are receiving increased attention in alleviating the impact of increasing CO(2) in the atmosphere. They, in addition to CO(2) capture, can produce renewable energy carriers such as carbon free energy hydrogen, bioethanol, biodiesel and other valuable biomolecules. Biological fixation of CO(2) are greatly affected by the characteristics of the microbial strains, their tolerance to temperature and the CO(2) present in the flue gas including SO(X), NO(X). However, there are additional factors like the availability of light, pH, O(2) removal, suitable design of the photobioreactor, culture density and the proper agitation of the reactor that will affect significantly the CO(2) sequestration process. Present paper deals with the photobioreactors of different geometry available for biomass production. It also focuses on the hybrid types of reactors (integrating two reactors) which can be used for overcoming the bottlenecks of a single photobioreactor.

Growth characteristics of Chlorella sorokiniana in airlift and bubble column photobioreactors

The present study investigated the feasibility of bioCO(2) sequestration using Chlorella sorokiniana. It was found that 5% CO(2) (v/v) in air was the most suitable concentration for the growth of this organism. At this concentration, the maximum rate of CO(2) sequestered and the biomass obtained were found to be 1.21 g L(-1)d(-1) and 4.4 g L(-1) respectively. Modeling and simulation of the growth profile was obtained using the logistic equation. Further, at higher CO(2) concentrations, pH drop in the growth media, TAP [-acetate], was prevented by replacing NH(4)Cl by NaNO(3.) Additionally, the study evaluated the performance of two reactors namely: bubble column and airlift reactor based on their growth profile and transport properties like K(L)a and mixing time. The growth profile was better in airlift reactor and it provides cyclic axial mixing of media. K(L)a of downcomer was significantly lower than the riser in airlift reactor.

Carbon dioxide sequestration from industrial flue gas by Chlorella sorokiniana.

The present study investigated the feasibility of using Chlorella sorokiniana for CO2 sequestration from industrial flue gas. The flue gas emitted from the oil producing industry contains mostly CO2 and H2S (15.6% (v/v) and 120 mg L(-1), respectively) along with nitrogen, methane, and other hydrocarbons. The high concentration of CO2 and H2S had an inhibitory effect on the growth of C. sorokiniana. Some efforts were made for the maximization of the algal biomass production using different techniques such as diluted flue gas, flue gas after passing through the scrubber, flue gas passing through serially connected photobioreactors and two different reactors. The highest reduction in the CO2 content of inlet flue gas was 4.1% (v/v). Some new pigments were observed in the flue gas sequestered biomass. Fatty acid composition in the total lipid was determined to evaluate its suitability for food, feed, and biofuel.

Continuous mode of carbon dioxide sequestration by C. sorokiniana and subsequent use of its biomass for hydrogen production by E. cloacae IIT-BT 08.

The present study investigated to find out the suitability of the CO2 sequestered algal biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana as substrate for the hydrogen production by Enterobacter cloacae IIT-BT 08. The maximum biomass productivity in continuous mode of operation in autotrophic condition was enhanced from 0.05 g L(-1) h(-1) in air to 0.11 g L(-1) h(-1) in 5% air-CO2 (v/v) gas mixture at an optimum dilution rate of 0.05 h(-1). Decrease in steady state biomass and productivity was less sensitive at higher dilution and found fitting with the model proposed by Eppley and Dyer (1965). Pretreated algal biomass of 10 g L(-1) with 2% (v/v) HCl-heat was found most suitable for hydrogen production yielding 9±2 mol H2 (kg COD reduced)(-1) and was found fitting with modified Gompertz equation. Further, hydrogen energy recovery in dark fermentation was significantly enhanced compared to earlier report of hydrogen production by biophotolysis of algae.

Cell growth kinetics of Chlorella sorokiniana and nutritional values of its biomass

The present study investigates the effects of different physico-chemical parameters for the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana and subsequently determination of nutritional values of its biomass. Most suitable temperature, light intensity, pH, and acetic acid concentration were 30°C, 100 μmol m(-2)s(-1), pH 7.5, and 34.8mM, respectively for the growth of this microorganism. Arrhenius growth activation energy, Ea was calculated as 7.08 kJ mol(-1). Monod kinetics constants: maximum specific growth rate (μ max) and substrate (acetic acid) affinity coefficient (Ks) were determined as 0.1 ± 0.01 h(-1) and 76 ± 8 mg L(-1), respectively. Stoichiometric analysis revealed the capture of 1.83 g CO2 and release of 1.9 g O2 for 1g algal biomass synthesis. Algal biomass of C. sorokiniana was found rich in protein and several important minerals such as Mg, Ca, and Fe. Astaxanthin and β-carotene were extracted and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography.

Physicochemical parameters optimization, and purification of phycobiliproteins from the isolated Nostoc sp.

The present study investigated the effects of several physicochemical parameters on the improvement of phycobiliproteins (especially phycocyanin) synthesis in a newly isolated species of Nostoc sp. Standard BG11₀ medium was modified to enhance the biomass productivity in different photobioreactors. The initial pH of 8, light intensity of 40 μmol m(-2)s(-1), temperature of 35 °C, diurnal cycle of 16:8 h (light:dark regime), 75.48 μM Na₂CO₃ and 17.65 mM NaNO₃ were found most suitable for the phycobiliproteins synthesis. Cyanobacteria exhibited chromatic adaptation, causing overexpression of phycocyanin in red and phycoerythrin in green light. The maximum phycobiliproteins yield of 0.13 gg(-1) dry cell weight was obtained in green light. Phycocyanin was further purified using thin layer chromatography (TLC), anion exchange chromatography and SDS-PAGE (denaturing gel) electrophoresis.

Use of image analysis tool for the development of light distribution pattern inside the photobioreactor for the algal cultivation.

Light is one of the important parameters for the growth of photosynthetic microorganisms. In algal photobioreactors, pigmentation of algal cells has additional shading effect which reduces light penetration. Information on the local light intensity inside the photobioreactor is helpful for its efficient designs. Image analysis is based on trichromatic theory and it is used as a tool in studying the light distribution. Digital images of the top view of the photobioreactor were taken and processed using image processing tool in the MATLAB software. This was used to estimate the light intensity distribution in the externally radiating stirred tank photobioreactor across the radial path length. In addition, the effect of light tubes arrangement was studied. This was to find out the effect of light distribution along the periphery of culture suspension. Modified Beer-Lamberts law was found to fit the generated light intensity profile at various cell concentrations and light intensity.

Carbon Dioxide Sequestration by Biological Processes

Steep rise in the earth’s atmospheric CO2 concentration is the main concerned problem nowadays. Presently, the earth’s atmosphere contains nearly 397.34 ppmv of CO2 which is much higher than the natural range of CO2 (180–300 ppmv) that existed over millions of years. Anthropogenic CO2 emission exceeds the natural sink of CO2 such as CO2 solubility in ocean, photosynthetic removal of CO2 by ocean phytoplanktons, and terrestrial plants. Increase in CO2 may be correlating with the rise in global mean temperature. This in turn is associated with melting of glaciers, rise in sea level, ocean acidification, unpredicted climate changes, etc. Rise in sea level and temperatures has been observed in the past also, but the rates of increase in these parameters are the main indicator of the effect of corresponding increase in CO2 concentration. The present chapter summarizes the role of various biological processes available for CO2 mitigation. Use of terrestrial plants, algae, cyanobacteria, carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme, and various other bacteria in CO2 sequestration has been extensively discussed. Chemical fixation of CO2 in the form of carbonates is a safe and permanent natural process. CA catalyzes the CO2 hydration reaction and accelerates the transformation of CO2 into solid carbonates manifold. Terrestrial plants for CO2 sequestration are limited only to lower range of CO2 concentration. Forest fertilization has been found to increase the CO2 mitigation two- to threefold. Contrary to terrestrial plants, algae and cyanobacteria can be used at higher CO2 concentration with higher photosynthetic efficiency.