A study for the biological CO2 fixation and utilization system

Increased CO2 in the atmosphere is such a serious problem for mankind that many research and development approaches are implemented to reduce CO2 emissions. One is a biological CO2 fixation using the photosynthetic function of microalgae like Chlorella and Synechocystis sp. The target of the project is to achieve a CO2 fixation rate of 50 g CO2/m2 d, which is 10 times as large as that of the temperate forest. The purpose of this study is to clarify the possibilities of the biological CO2 fixation system in view of the CO2 balance, energy balance, and payback period. The amount of CO2 fixation of the system should be larger than the emission of CO2 by operating. Furthermore, the energy consumption of the system should also be less than the biochemical energy (enthalpy) of glucose, which is made by photosynthesis. After CO2 fixation was completed by the microalgae, the biomass must be utilized practically for many markets and the initial investment in the system construction could be regained.