Bicarbonate produced from carbon capture for algae culture

Using captured CO2 to grow microalgae is limited by the high cost of CO2 capture and transportation, as well as significant CO2 loss during algae culture. Moreover, algae grow poorly at night, but CO2 cannot be temporarily stored until sunrise. To address these challenges, we discuss a process where CO2 is captured as bicarbonate and used as feedstock for algae culture, and the carbonate regenerated by the culture process is used as an absorbent to capture more CO2. This process would significantly reduce carbon capture costs because it does not require additional energy for carbonate regeneration. Furthermore, not only would transport of the aqueous bicarbonate solution cost less than for that of compressed CO2, but using bicarbonate would also provide a superior alternative for CO2 delivery to an algae culture system.