An efficient system for carbonation of high-rate algae pond water to enhance CO2 mass transfer.

ABSTRACT

High-rate algal ponds have the potential to produce 59 T of dry biomass ha(-1)year(-1) based on the specific productivity of 20 g m(-2) day(-1). Atmospheric air provides only 5% of the CO(2) to the pond surface required for photosynthesis. Hence, CO(2) is usually provided via bubbling of concentrated CO(2)-air mixture into the algae ponds. This process is, however, not significantly effective in terms of mass transfer. Use of bubble column to increase the interfacial area of contact available for gas exchange is proposed as an efficient alternative. A carbonation column (CC) was modeled and designed to measure CO(2) absorptivity in-pond water at various pH regimes. The CC performed at 83% CO(2) transfer efficiency. An air-to-pond mass transport coefficient of 0.0037 m min(-1) was derived. The proposed device can be used with any exhaust gas stream with higher concentrations of CO(2) in conjunction with raceways for optimizing algae production.