Carbon dioxide capture from flue gases using microalgae: Engineering aspects and biorefinery concept

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most important contributors for the increase of the greenhouse effect. CO2 concentrations are increasing in the last decades mainly due to the increase of anthropogenic emissions. To reduce the effects caused by this environmental problem, several technologies were studied to capture CO2 from large emission source points: (i) absorption; (ii) adsorption; (iii) gas-separation membranes; and (iv) cryogenic distillation. The resulting streams with high CO2 concentrations are transported and stored in geological formations. However, these methodologies, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, are considered as short-term solutions, as there are still concerns about the environmental sustainability of these processes.