DEVELOPMENT OF A DEMONSTRATION PLANT FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT OF A DEMONSTRATION PLANT FOR THE CAPTURE OF CO2
FROM FLUE GASES USING MICROALGAE - CO2ALGAEFIX PROJECT
M. Segura1, E. Rodriguez2, F.G. Acien3, M. G. González4, C. Reparaz5, J. Villar6, V.
Armengod7
facien@ual.es
1
AlgaEnergy, Madrid, Spain; 2Iberdrola, Madrid, Spain; 3University of Almeria,
Almería, Spain; 4University of Seville, Seville, Spain; 5Exeleria (Everis Group)
Madrid, Spain; 6Andalusian Energy Agency, Seville, Spain; 7Madrid Biocluster,
Madrid, Spain.
ABSTRACT
Introduction
CO2ALGAEFIX Project (LIFE10 ENV/ES/000496), which is co-financed by the
European Commission (LIFE+ Programme), is intended to build and operate a preindustrial Plant, biofixing flue gases (CO2) directly emitted by a Combined Cycle
Power Plant (Iberdrola), by using microalgae cultures, transforming this harmful gas
into products of commercial interest.
Methods
The pre-industrial plant covers an area of 10,000 m2 and is being built in Arcos de la
Frontera (south of Spain), due to the suitable climate conditions. A total volume of
1,000 m3 of microalgae culture will be installed, using different technologies (tubular
photobioreactors, flat panel photobioreactors and raceways). The biomass will be
harvested by flocculation-sedimentation and centrifugation. The culture medium will
be mostly recycled, minimizing the purge flow (discharge).
Results
The expected results are the production of 100 Tn biomass/Ha·year and the
biofixation of 200 Tn CO2/Ha·year, including the demonstration of the technical and
economic viability of the microalgae culture, at pre-industrial level, all accompanied
by the continuous improvement of the culture and harvesting process. Microalgae,
through the photosynthesis process, are able to turn CO2 into biomass, which can be
valorised into several products, like biofertilizers, food and feed, pharmaceuticals,
biofuels, among others.
Conclusion
CO2ALGAEFIX Project is one of a kind in the world; for its cultivation and harvesting
technologies, its magnitude and also because of using flue gases, at this scale.