Enhancing CO2-to-protein conversion efficiency in a Spirulina-based integrated carbon capture and utilization system

Le résumé fourni par la source

Third-generation biorefineries, which exploit microbial cell factories, offer significant potential for converting atmospheric CO 2 and renewable energy into fuels and chemicals in a carbon-neutral manner, without competing for agricultural land. However, several techno-economic barriers must be overcome before large-scale deployment becomes feasible. A major challenge is the improvement of Space-Time Efficiency (STE), which encompasses both the CO 2 biofixation rate and the overall CO 2 utilization efficiency. In this study, the operability of a Spirulina /carbonate based third-generation Integrated Carbon Capture and Utilization (ICCU) biorefinery was evaluated. The results demonstrate that implementing a closed-loop configuration combined with mixotrophic cultivation conditions enhance the STE of CO 2 conversion into nutraceutical-grade protein. Furthermore, exploiting the full pH swing of the carbonate carrier and operating at high carrier concentration were identified as key factors for achieving industrially relevant process performance. This work advances this Spirulina /carbonate-based ICCU from proof-of-concept operation toward process optimization by integrating acetate-assisted mixotrophy, nitrate reduction, carrier regeneration, and protein-rich product recovery.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.