Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production

The production of hydrogen via dark fermentation generates carbon dioxide, which needs to be separated and re-utilized to minimize the environmental impact. This research investigates the potential of utilizing algae for carbon dioxide sequestration in hydrogen production via dark fermentation. Howe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Natascha Eggers, Sachin Kumar Ramayampet, Torsten Birth-Reichert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/24/6261
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1846104858049904640
author Natascha Eggers
Sachin Kumar Ramayampet
Torsten Birth-Reichert
author_facet Natascha Eggers
Sachin Kumar Ramayampet
Torsten Birth-Reichert
author_sort Natascha Eggers
collection DOAJ
description The production of hydrogen via dark fermentation generates carbon dioxide, which needs to be separated and re-utilized to minimize the environmental impact. This research investigates the potential of utilizing algae for carbon dioxide sequestration in hydrogen production via dark fermentation. However, algae alone cannot fully use all the carbon dioxide produced, necessitating the implementation of a multistage separation process. This study proposes a purification approach that integrates membrane separation with a photobioreactor in a multistage design layout. Mathematical models were used to simulate the performance efficiency of multistage design layout using MATLAB 2015b (Version 9.3). A detailed parametric analysis and the key parameters influencing the separation efficiency were conducted for each stage. This study explores how reactor geometry, operational dynamics (such as gas transfer rates and light availability), and algae growth impact both CO<sub>2</sub> removal and hydrogen purity. An optimization strategy was used to obtain the set of optimal operating and design parameters. Our results have shown a significant improvement in hydrogen purity, increasing from 55% to 99% using this multistage separation process, while CO<sub>2</sub> removal efficiency rose from 35% to 85% over a week. This study highlights the potential of combining membrane technology with photobioreactors to enhance hydrogen purification, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution for hydrogen production.
format Article
id doaj-art-7f41eae4a56a47659e2fcdec1c06a43d
institution Kabale University
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-7f41eae4a56a47659e2fcdec1c06a43d2024-12-27T14:23:16ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-12-011724626110.3390/en17246261Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen ProductionNatascha Eggers0Sachin Kumar Ramayampet1Torsten Birth-Reichert2Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF, 39106 Magdeburg, GermanyFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology, University of Rostock, 18051 Rostock, GermanyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Production Management, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Institut für Erneuerbare Energien und Energieeffiziente Anlagen (IEE), University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, 20999 Hamburg, GermanyThe production of hydrogen via dark fermentation generates carbon dioxide, which needs to be separated and re-utilized to minimize the environmental impact. This research investigates the potential of utilizing algae for carbon dioxide sequestration in hydrogen production via dark fermentation. However, algae alone cannot fully use all the carbon dioxide produced, necessitating the implementation of a multistage separation process. This study proposes a purification approach that integrates membrane separation with a photobioreactor in a multistage design layout. Mathematical models were used to simulate the performance efficiency of multistage design layout using MATLAB 2015b (Version 9.3). A detailed parametric analysis and the key parameters influencing the separation efficiency were conducted for each stage. This study explores how reactor geometry, operational dynamics (such as gas transfer rates and light availability), and algae growth impact both CO<sub>2</sub> removal and hydrogen purity. An optimization strategy was used to obtain the set of optimal operating and design parameters. Our results have shown a significant improvement in hydrogen purity, increasing from 55% to 99% using this multistage separation process, while CO<sub>2</sub> removal efficiency rose from 35% to 85% over a week. This study highlights the potential of combining membrane technology with photobioreactors to enhance hydrogen purification, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution for hydrogen production.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/24/6261CO<sub>2</sub> utilizationhydrogen purificationalgae reactor concept
spellingShingle Natascha Eggers
Sachin Kumar Ramayampet
Torsten Birth-Reichert
Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production
Energies
CO<sub>2</sub> utilization
hydrogen purification
algae reactor concept
title Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production
title_full Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production
title_fullStr Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production
title_full_unstemmed Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production
title_short Algal-Mediated Carbon Dioxide Separation in Biological Hydrogen Production
title_sort algal mediated carbon dioxide separation in biological hydrogen production
topic CO<sub>2</sub> utilization
hydrogen purification
algae reactor concept
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/24/6261
work_keys_str_mv AT nataschaeggers algalmediatedcarbondioxideseparationinbiologicalhydrogenproduction
AT sachinkumarramayampet algalmediatedcarbondioxideseparationinbiologicalhydrogenproduction
AT torstenbirthreichert algalmediatedcarbondioxideseparationinbiologicalhydrogenproduction