Flue Gas-Cultivated Microalgae Made into Biofuels, Health Food, and Skin Care Products

Researchers at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), southern Tainan, have used flue gas from factory chimneys to cultivate microalgae which can be made into a wide range of biofuels, health food and skin care products.

A team, led by Distinguished Professor Jo-Shu Chang at NCKU Department of Chemical Engineering, has collaborated with China Steel Company to establish a pilot system for microalgae cultivation from flue gas and to develop platform technology for microalgae biodiesel production using the microalgae yielded from consuming the flue gas CO₂.

What makes the study prominent is that the team has cultivated microalgae directly using high-temperature flue gas from chimneys at China Steel Company.

Microalgae grown in this method can endure high temperatures, according to Prof. Chang’s team which has developed a technology that allows for wet processing of microalgae into biofuels. This technology helps save the drying costs.

Chang said that microalgae are the best working platform for CO₂ reduction and reutilization.

According to Wen-Teng Wu, Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering and Director of NCKU Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, the cultivation of microalgae can help deal with the problems of the greenhouse effect and meet the urgent need of alternative energy.

Taiwan`s rich microalgae resources give it a great advantage in developing a microalgae industry, said Chang, adding that the industry can be very helpful in reducing carbon levels because algae captures carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

Every 1 gram of microalgae grown by the team, for example, can consume 2 grams of carbon dioxide, he said.

Chang said that microalgae biomass contains a variety of valuable components, such as oils, carbohydrates, proteins and pigments which can not only be converted to biofuels but also be used in the development of high value products, such as DHA/EPA, healthy foods, and feeds of animals and aquatics.

Aside from these applications, microalgae cosmetics is another promising line of products, according to the team, adding that microalgae extract can promote cell restoration and cohesion, making it a perfect ingredient for skin care products.

Skin care commodities like essence, day cream, night cream, skin mask made from microalgae extract, are ready to enter the market, according to the team.