Clean Energy Capability Portfolio | Clean Fuels |
Net-Negative CO2 and Methane Producing
Bioreactor
A bioreactor that uses sunlight and CO2 dissolved in seawater to simultaneously generate methane from the decomposition of algae and sequester CO2 in the coccoliths of growing algaesynthesis reactor to produce ammonia at lower cost than via the traditional Haber-Bosch process . |
Competitive Advantage • CO2 dissolved in seawater is at 20 times the concentration atmospheric CO2 . Algae growing in seawater use sunlight and this CO2 to produce energy rich lipids and calcium carbonate rich coccolith skeletons . The bioreactor provides the appropriate conditions for good algae growth in an aerobic environment on its surface and at the base of the reactor , the right condition for anaerobic archaea to breakdown the algal lipids to produce methane that is removed as a fuel . The remaining coccoliths are removed in a batch process and stored as sequestration of CO2 ( the precursors of limestone ). The bioreactor provides methane as a renewable fuel , and bequests CO2 as calcium carbonate or limestone .
• A bespoke bioreactor
• Expertise to leverage existing technology in a combined approach to achieve net-negative CO2 production , and produce a renewable energy source ( methane ) from solar energy
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Successful Applications • Design and commissioning of a bespoke bioreactor for net-negative CO2 and algal methane production
• Proven methane generation from methanogenic archaea decomposing algae and of CO2 incorporation in algal coccoliths
Capabilities and Facilities • Lab facilities for biogas experiments
• A bioreactor for algal growth and methanogenic archaea decomposition
More Information Professor Gavin Conibeer
School Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
T : + 61 2 9385 7858 E : g . conibeer @ unsw . edu . au
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Impact |
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• Renewable fuel production |
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• CO2 capture to reduce atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases |
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