The University of Maryland’s (U of M) technology integrates multiple breakthrough technologies that efficiently mitigate CO2 and other GHGs on an industrial scale. The technology uses a biological process that can work anywhere in the world, in any climate. At the same time, the technology provides the ability to generate additional revenue streams to fund its implementation and maintenance via the sale of valuable byproducts.
In their process, the U of M uses microalgae to mitigate CO2 from an industrial air pollution source. They then harvest the algal biomass to produce biofuels, lutein and other byproducts. The process takes place in a facility housing large photo bioreactors. Flue gas is captured from an adjacent methane-fired power plant and is injected into the bioreactors, which are filled with a newly isolated strain of fast growing, high CO2-tolerant microalgae. The algal strain then consumes the CO2, NOx and other GHGs, and vents oxygen via the photosynthesis process. The algal cultures are harvested from the bioreactors on a continual basis, which is then either dried or converted to biofuel using an innovative enzyme.