Rezvani, S., Moheimani, N.R. and Bahri, P.A. (2016) Techno-economic assessment of CO2 bio-fixation using microalgae in connection with three different state-of-the-art power plants. Computers & Chemical Engineering, http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.a/28750/ This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
AbstractLarge-scale microalgae cultivations for CO 2 bio-sequestration from power plants can be an alternative process to conventional technologies if the capital investments associated with carbon capture, transport and storage can be reduced or avoided. In order to counterbalance the costs required to operate massive microalgae cultivations, it is necessary to create additional revenues through biomass sales. This manuscript examines the techno-economics of microalgae cultivations for the integration with three power plant technologies using an Artificial Neural Network model. The economics are estimated using the net present value approach. The assessment is carried out at photosynthesis efficiencies ranging from 2% to 6%. The sensitivity assessment shows microalgae selling prices in the range of $440/t to $1028/t at a photosynthetic efficiency of 4% for low and high cost scenarios in order to achieve an electricity price similar to that from a conventional power plant without a CO 2 capture and storage.