In order to convert CO2 into biomass by solar energy, we have conducted studies to define growth characteristics of microalgae under various culture conditions.
First, we screened microalgae having high temperature and high CO2 resistance. Algae were grown at 35°C and 15% CO2. As a result, we have obtained the strain T-1 of Chlorella which was found to be high temperature tolerant as well as have high growth rate at 15% CO2 concentration. Subsequently we study growth rates under various combinations of SOx and NOx.
Their results indicate that Chlorella sp. T-1 can be an ideal candidate for biological fixation of CO2 exhausted by coal-fired thermal power plants.
Then, in order to confirm the CO2 fixation efficiency in the actual basis flue gas. The result indicated that Chlorella sp. T-1 has sufficient growth rate despite the condition very severe for the growth of living creatures in the flue gas containing SOx, NOx, Dust and variety of trace elements, we could confirm that it has an excellent applicability to actual basis flue gas.