A two-layer structure for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, a sustainable, environmentally friendly, immobilized algae ball device.

Abstract

This invention provides a sustainable, environmentally friendly, immobilized algae ball device with a two-layer structure for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases. [Solution] The system consists of a photobiological reactor 1, multiple sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls 2, and a gas flow induction unit 3. With the above configuration, by immobilizing cultured microalgae cells 4, sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls with a 3D porous structure and good mechanical stability are formed. When this is applied to a carbon dioxide recovery system for industrial exhaust gases, the carbon dioxide absorption efficiency and the operational stability of the system are improved. In the photobiological reactor, the sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls can provide a stable attachment and growth environment for microalgae, and in the bubble flow field, the gas contact area and congestion time are increased, further improving the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency and carbon dioxide recovery effectiveness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, specifically to a spherical algal device for immobilized sustainable environmental protection, and more particularly to a technology for spherical algae for immobilized sustainable environmental protection having high carbon absorption efficiency, system stability, and industrial application feasibility.

Background Art

[0002] Existing technologies for reducing carbon dioxide in industrial exhaust gas mainly include methods such as chemical absorption, physical adsorption, membrane separation, and carbon sequestration, etc., which can achieve the purpose of gas separation and carbon reduction. However, there are problems such as high equipment costs, large energy consumption, and the need for subsequent regeneration treatment. In addition, since it is necessary to further compress and isolate the captured carbon dioxide, it is difficult to directly convert it into a product with economic value. In comparison, microalgae can absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and convert it into biomass, and can also perform carbon fixation and resource utilization, so it has become an important development direction of biocapture technology.

[0003] Existing microalgae-based carbon dioxide capture systems commonly employ open algae ponds and sealed photobiological reactors, such as column reactors, pumping reactors, and tubular circulating reactors. These systems utilize suspension culture to disperse microalgae cells in a culture medium, introduce carbon dioxide, and allow microalgae to perform photosynthesis, absorption, and carbon fixation. However, in environments with aeration and bubble flow, the algae are easily washed away with the fluid flow, making it difficult to maintain biomass and increasing the costs of subsequent recovery and separation. Furthermore, sustainable biomass must be replenished to maintain system stability. In suspension culture systems, the concentration of microalgae is easily limited by the light-covering effect and mixing conditions, making it difficult to maintain high-density culture. This limits the carbon fixation efficiency per unit volume. In the gas absorption process, the small bubble size, short gas congestion time, and limited contact area result in insufficient gas dissolution efficiency and gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, reducing carbon dioxide absorption capacity and carbon removal effectiveness. During prolonged operation, the system is easily affected by shear forces, pollution, and environmental fluctuations, leading to a decrease in operational stability.

[0004] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide concentration in industrial exhaust gases is typically higher than under general cultivation conditions, ranging from approximately 10% to 60%. When high concentrations of carbon dioxide are directly introduced into a cultivation system, the culture medium is easily acidified, which not only puts pressure on the microalgae's physiology but also suppresses their growth and affects the stable operation of the system. In addition, the exhaust gas contains nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and trace amounts of pollutants, which affect the algae's metabolism and photosynthetic efficiency. As described above, existing methods require dilution or pretreatment of the exhaust gas, which increases the system's energy consumption and equipment costs, thus reducing the feasibility of industrial application.

[0005] To improve biomass retention and reaction stability, microbial immobilization technology is widely applied in wastewater treatment and bioreaction programs. For example, microorganisms are immobilized on alginate, chitosan, or polymer carriers to form fine particles or colloidal structures. Other studies have shown that microalgae are immobilized to form fine particles or embedding bodies, which are applied to nutrient removal and heavy metal adsorption from wastewater. However, existing micro-algae immobilization technologies primarily focus on pollutant removal and biomass retention. Their structural design and operating conditions are not optimized for the gas absorption efficiency of carbon dioxide recovery from exhaust gases. As a result, the micro-algae immobilization technologies suffer from increased mass transfer resistance, reducing carbon dioxide transfer efficiency. Furthermore, the movement behavior and contact efficiency of the micro-algae bubbles in the flow field are not optimized, preventing effective improvement of carbon dioxide recovery efficiency. Furthermore, while many immobilization systems are applicable to low-concentration carbon dioxide environments, they lack tolerance for high-concentration exhaust gas environments. This prevents them from effectively integrating with the gas-liquid flow characteristics of tube reactors, thus limiting their practical application in industrial carbon dioxide capture.

[0006] According to existing technological advancements, a photobiological reactor using floating microalgae can capture carbon dioxide. While this system allows for the absorption and fixation of introduced carbon dioxide by the microalgae through aeration, it suffers from problems such as insufficient gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, biomass loss, and poor stability during long-term operation. Furthermore, while microparticles used to immobilize microalgae have been applied to wastewater treatment technologies and static reaction systems, improving biomass retention and operational stability through immobilization carriers, these microparticles are mostly single-layer gel structures. As a result, they are easily damaged and swell under prolonged aeration and fluid shearing. Moreover, their structure and function are not designed to meet the demands of carbon dioxide capture, and they lack adaptability to high-concentration exhaust gases. In addition, they do not effectively integrate with the characteristics of the bubble flow field in a tube reactor.

[0007] When applying existing carbon dioxide capture technologies using microalgae to actual industrial applications, problems remain such as limited carbon absorption efficiency, biomass leakage, difficulty in improving biomass density, insufficient system stability, and high operating costs. Therefore, they cannot satisfy the demand for long-term stable operation and highly efficient carbon reduction. Consequently, there is a need for a novel microalgae immobilization system that requires improvements in the permissible range of high-concentration exhaust gases, high gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, flow field characteristics applicable to columnar reactors, and carbon dioxide capture efficiency and operational stability.

[0008] To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the inventor has conducted careful research and utilized scientific principles to propose this invention, which effectively eliminates the aforementioned drawbacks and has a rational design. [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The main objective of this invention is to overcome the problems of conventional technology and to provide a microalgae ball device that can recover carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, with a two-layer structure that can withstand high concentrations of carbon dioxide, and is suitable for immobilization and sustainable environmental protection. By applying the microalgae ball that immobilizes and protects the environment, biomass can be effectively retained and a high-density culture state can be maintained. At the same time, by increasing the gas congestion time and contact area in the bubble flow field, the dissolution and transfer efficiency of carbon dioxide is improved. Furthermore, the 3D porous structure of the spherical core provides a stable microenvironment, allowing microalgae to maintain growth activity and photosynthetic efficiency under high-concentration exhaust gas conditions, and improving the operational stability of the system.

[0010] Another objective of this invention is to provide a two-layer structure algae ball device for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, which improves carbon dioxide capture efficiency, reduces microalgae cell loss and recovery costs, overcomes the operational limitations of conventional floating culture systems, and improves carbon reduction efficiency without replacing existing reactor equipment, thereby reducing the introduction threshold and capital investment.

[0011] Another objective of this invention is to provide a sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed ball that can be recovered and reused after use, or further converted into biomass energy raw materials and agricultural materials, and to provide a two-layer structure seaweed ball device for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, realizing the integrated benefits of carbon sequestration and resource recycling.

[0012] Another objective of this invention is to provide a two-layer structure for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, which can improve the operational reliability and efficiency of industrial carbon dioxide capture systems, enhance their economic feasibility and sustainable application value, and is applicable to carbon reduction applications for various types of industrial emission sources, thus providing a sequestration sustainable environmental protection device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a two-layer structure immobilized sustainable environmental protection algae ball device for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, comprising: a photobiotherapeutic reactor containing a culture medium; a spherical core disposed inside the photobiotherapeutic reactor, which is a two-layer spherical gel and has a 3D porous structure formed by fixing cultured microalgae cells onto a biocompatible substrate; and a coating layer covering the surface of the spherical core to improve the mechanical strength and shear resistance of the sphere, comprising multiple sustainable environmental protection algae balls, and a photobiotherapeutic reactor installed to directly introduce industrial exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide and generate microbubbles. The gas flow induction unit is included, which generates gas and controls its congestion time and distribution location to improve the gas-liquid contact area and mass transfer efficiency, and furthermore, a flow field of bubbles is formed by the aeration unit and the circulation of the culture medium, so that the sustainable algae balls become suspended or circulating in the photobiological reactor, increasing the gas congestion time and contact area, so that the microalgae cells in the sustainable algae balls absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and perform carbon fixation, and the volume percentage concentration of carbon dioxide in the industrial exhaust gas is between 10% and 60%.

[0014] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the biocompatible substrate is alginic acid or a biodegradable natural polymer material.

[0015] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer is a chitosan coating layer.

[0016] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the photobiothermal reactor is a tube-type photobiothermal reactor.

[0017] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the cells of the microalgae can be selected from Chlorella, cyanobacteria, or other microalgae that have the ability to fix carbon.

[0018] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the source of the industrial exhaust gas is boiler exhaust, power generation exhaust, incineration system exhaust, or industrial process exhaust.

[0019] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the sustainable seaweed balls can be collected and reused repeatedly in the photobiological reactor that collects carbon dioxide.

[0020] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the sustainable seaweed balls are recycled at least three times, and the removal rate of carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases is maintained at an average of 90% or more.

[0021] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the cultured algae balls and the cells of the microalgae therein, which protect the sustainable environment, are converted into biomass energy raw materials and agricultural materials.

[0022] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the carbon dioxide removal rate from the industrial exhaust gas is 90% or more.

[0023] According to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention, the industrial exhaust gas can be directly introduced into the photobioreactor without dilution or chemical pretreatment.

[0024] Hereinafter, the features and technical content of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these drawings are for reference and explanation purposes, and the present invention is not limited thereby.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an immobilized sustainable environmental protection algal bead device having a two-layer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a photograph of the algal concentration distribution on the 0th day of the sustainable environmental protection algal beads of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a photograph of the algal concentration distribution on the 14th day of the sustainable environmental protection algal beads of the present invention, and FIG. 2C is a photograph of the algal concentration distribution on the 28th day of the sustainable environmental protection algal beads of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a photograph when culturing the sustainable environmental protection algal beads in the tubular photobioreactor of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the carbon dioxide removal rate of the sustainable environmental protection algal beads of the present invention in continuous 3-batch culture. FIG. 5 is a photograph when the immobilized sustainable environmental protection algal bead device having a two-layer structure according to the present invention is exhibited in a commercial area. As shown in the figures, the sustainable environmental protection algal bead device having a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas according to the present invention is composed of a photobioreactor 1, a plurality of sustainable environmental protection algal beads 2, and a gas flow induction unit 3.

[0026] The above-mentioned photobioreactor 1 stores a culture solution 11.

[0027] The sustainable environmental protection algal beads 2 are arranged inside the photobioreactor 1. The sustainable environmental protection algal beads 2 are two-layer spherical gels, and a spherical core 21 having a 3D porous structure for fixing the cultured microalgae cells 4 to a biocompatible substrate 20 (also called an immobilization material) and a coating layer 22 covering the surface of the spherical core 21 to improve the mechanical strength and shear resistance of the sphere are included.

[0028] The gas flow guiding unit 3 is installed in the photobioreactor 1, directly introduces industrial exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide, generates fine bubbles, and controls the residence time and distribution position thereof, so that the gas-liquid contact area and mass transfer efficiency are improved. The gas flow guiding unit 3 further forms a circulating flow field of bubbles with the aeration unit 5 and the culture solution 11, so that the sustainable environmental protection algal balls 2 are in a floating or circulating motion state in the photobioreactor 1. Thereby, the residence time and contact area of the gas are improved. Therefore, the microalgae cells 4 located in the sustainable environmental protection algal balls 2 absorb carbon dioxide by photosynthesis for carbon fixation, and the volume percentage concentration of carbon dioxide in the industrial exhaust gas is 10% to 60%. With the above process configuration, an algal ball device 100 for immobilized sustainable environmental protection, which is a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from new industrial exhaust gas, is realized.

[0029] According to a better specific embodiment of the present invention, the microalgae cells 4 are Chlorella, cyanobacteria or other microalgae having the ability of carbon fixation.

[0030] According to a better specific embodiment of the present invention, the sources of the industrial exhaust gas include boiler exhaust, power generation exhaust, incineration system exhaust or industrial process exhaust.

[0031] According to a better specific embodiment of the present invention, the industrial exhaust gas can be directly introduced into the photobioreactor without the need for dilution or chemical pretreatment.

[0032] According to this invention, cultured microalgae cells 4 are immobilized on a biocompatible substrate 20 to form a spherical core 21 which has a 3D porous structure, and a chitosan coating layer 22 is formed on the outer layer of the spherical core 21, thereby forming a sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball 2 with an immobilized two-layer structure. The porous spherical core 21 provides a growth space and gas diffusion channels for the microalgae, and the outer chitosan coating layer 22 improves the mechanical strength, shear resistance and structural stability of the sphere, and reduces swelling and damage phenomena during long-term operation processes. As a result, the sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball 2 can be applied to bubble flow and high-environmental disturbance reaction systems. When applied, the above-mentioned sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball 2 is placed in a tubular photobiotherapeutic reactor 1, industrial exhaust gas is introduced, and the sphere in the bubble flow field increases the gas congestion time and contact area, thereby improving the dissolution of carbon dioxide and the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency. In the stable microenvironment formed by the chitosan coating layer 22, microalgae cells are favorably able to maintain growth activity and photosynthetic efficiency even under conditions of high concentrations of carbon dioxide and exhaust gas, and pollution risk and operational instability are reduced. The sustainable algae balls 2, after use, can be recovered and reused, or further converted into biomass energy raw materials or agricultural materials, thus providing the integrated benefits of carbon dioxide recovery and resource recycling. As described above, according to this invention, carbon dioxide recovery efficiency and system durability can be improved without replacing existing reactor equipment, extending the operating life and reducing maintenance costs, thus possessing industrial application value and sustainable development potential.

[0033] The following embodiments illustrate the details and content of the present invention with examples, but the scope of the claims of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0034] [Implementation Method 1] A method for preparing seaweed balls that have a chitosan-enhanced layer and protect the environment in a sustainable way. The microalgae cells 4 are uniformly dispersed in the solution by thoroughly mixing the suspension containing the cultured microalgae cells 4 with a solution of a biocompatible substrate 20. The biocompatible substrate solution is an aqueous sodium alginate solution, with its concentration controlled to approximately 1.5% (w / v). The mixture is added dropwise to a crosslinking solution containing calcium ions, causing the droplets to immediately form a spherical gel. The mixture is then reacted in the crosslinking solution for a predetermined appropriate time to form a spherical core 21 of a sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball 2 with a 3D porous structure. To improve the mechanical strength and stable long-term operability of the spherical core 21, after its formation, it is further immersed in a chitosan solution to form a chitosan coating layer 22 on the surface of the spherical core 21, creating a two-layer immobilized sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball 2. The chitosan coating layer 22 improves the shear resistance and structural integrity of the spherical core 21, reducing damage and swelling due to prolonged ventilation and fluid circulation, while simultaneously forming a stable microenvironment and reducing the risk of contamination. After coating, washing with clean water yields a sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball 2 with high structural stability and good mass transfer properties.

[0035] [Implementation Method 2] Cultivation of seaweed balls for sustainable environmental protection and observation of microalgae activity. The prepared sustainable algae balls were placed in a culture medium, and the cultivation was observed. During the cultivation process, the change in color over time was used as an indicator of the cell growth and activity of the microalgae. As shown in Figure 2A, in the initial stage of cultivation (day 0), the sustainable algae balls turned light green, indicating that the microalgae cells were in the stage of adaptation and proliferation. As shown in Figure 2B, after about 14 days of cultivation, the color of the sustainable algae balls gradually darkened, indicating that the cell density of the microalgae had improved and photosynthetic activity had increased. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2C, after culturing for about 28 days, the sustainable algae balls turned dark green, maintaining a complete structure, and the microalgae cells had grown to a stable state within the sustainable algae balls. The color changes described above reflect that the microalgae cells maintain their physiological activity and photosynthetic capacity after immobilization, indicating that the microalgae cells can sustainably grow and accumulate biomass even in an immobilized environment, and that the system possesses a favorable growth environment and carbon sequestration capacity.

[0036] [Implementation Method 3] Cultivation of algae balls in a tube-type photobiological reactor for sustainable environmental protection. As shown in Figure 3, the prepared sustainable algae balls are placed in a transparent cylindrical photobiothermal reactor with a culture medium volume of approximately 5 liters, and aeration and circulating mixing are sustainably maintained so that the sustainable algae balls remain suspended and circulating in the cylindrical photobiothermal reactor in accordance with the bubble flow. A gas flow containing carbon dioxide is introduced as a carbon source to promote photosynthesis and growth of microalgae cells. In the bubble flow field, the gas congestion time and gas-liquid contact interface of the sustainable algae balls are increased, improving the efficiency of carbon dioxide dissolution and gas-liquid mass transfer. At the same time, the microalgae cells are prevented from being washed away with the fluid. Furthermore, the 3D porous structure of the spherical core creates and maintains a stable culture microenvironment, so that the microalgae cells can maintain their photosynthetic activity and carbon fixation capacity even under high carbon dioxide conditions, thereby improving carbon dioxide recovery efficiency and system operation stability.

[0037] [Implementation Method 4] Performance Test of Carbon Dioxide Capture from Industrial Exhaust Gases To evaluate the carbon dioxide recovery efficiency of this invention, a test was conducted in a photobiological reactor with a total volume of approximately 50 liters. A gas flow simulating industrial exhaust gas conditions was introduced, with a carbon dioxide concentration of approximately 15%. Sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls were added to the photobiological reactor, and a carbon dioxide recovery operation was performed, which was then compared to a floating culture system without the addition of algae balls. According to the test results, the system with the addition of sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls achieved a carbon dioxide removal efficiency of approximately 95%, while the system without the addition of sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls achieved a removal rate of only approximately 60%. This clearly demonstrates that immobilized sustainable environmentally friendly algae balls have improved gas absorption efficiency and carbon dioxide recovery capacity.

[0038] [Implementation Method 5] Test the repeated recycling and operational stability of seaweed balls that protect the environment in a sustainable way. After the carbon dioxide capture operation is complete, the same batch of sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls are collected, reintroduced into the photobiological reactor, and a recycling test is performed, with the cycle being repeated three times. The test results shown in Figure 4 indicate that the carbon dioxide removal rate at each recycling stage was maintained at an average of over 94%, and the balls maintained good structural integrity and operational stability, with no obvious damage or performance degradation observed, demonstrating excellent durability and reusability. In comparison, the floating culture system without the addition of sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls had an initial carbon dioxide removal rate of only about 60%, and in the repeated operation process, cell loss of microalgae, biomass reduction, and a decrease in system stability were observed, resulting in a sustained decline in removal efficiency. Therefore, conventional systems cannot maintain stable carbon dioxide capture effectiveness over a long period of time. As described above, by adding sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls, the efficiency of carbon dioxide removal is clearly improved. Furthermore, stable effectiveness is maintained even after numerous cycles, reducing biomass loss and replenishment needs. This extends the operational lifespan, saves maintenance and operating costs, and is advantageous for industrial carbon dioxide capture system applications.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the seaweed balls that protect the environment sustainably can also be applied to environmental education and science popularization exhibits. For example, they can be used as demonstration equipment for air purification in natural environments. The transparent display structure illustrates the concepts of carbon dioxide capture and air purification. This technology can not only be applied to reducing carbon in industry, but also adds value through environmental education, advocacy for sustainability, and public exhibitions.

[0040] As described above, by applying the immobilized, sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls according to this invention, not only is the carbon dioxide capture efficiency of microalgae and the operational stability of the equipment improved, but it also has the functions of visualization and environmental education, and can be used for a variety of purposes such as industrial carbon reduction, resource recycling, and promotion of sustainable development.

[0041] This invention is a sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball device applied to the recovery of carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases. It has the following technical features, improving carbon dioxide absorption efficiency and ensuring long-term stable operation of the system.

[0042] 1. The core structure of immobilization in microalgae This invention involves immobilizing microalgae cells onto a biocompatible substrate, thereby forming a spherical structure and uniformly distributing the microalgae cells within the carrier. The immobilized biocompatible substrate is alginic acid or other biocompatible polymer material, and a stable gel structure is formed through a cross-linking reaction. This immobilization design effectively prevents the loss of microalgae cells with the fluid and maintains a high biomass density.

[0043] 2. Chitosan-reinforced outer layer structure Because a chitosan coating layer is formed on the outer layer of the fixed spherical core, the sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed ball has a two-layer structure. This improves mechanical strength and shear resistance, reducing damage and swelling caused by prolonged ventilation and fluid circulation. The reinforced structure improves the durability and operational stability of the sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed ball, and reduces the risk of contamination.

[0044] III. Design of Porous Structures and Gas-Mass Transfer Channels The sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls possess a 3D porous structure that forms gas diffusion channels and nutrient transport pathways, while maintaining light transmission capacity. This creates a stable microenvironment within the sphere that is suitable for the growth of microalgae. This structure improves gas and material transport efficiency and photosynthetic efficiency, resulting in increased carbon fixation capacity.

[0045] IV. Applied Structure of Tube-Type Photobiological Reactors By placing immobilized, sustainable, and environmentally friendly algae balls into a columnar photobiological reactor and circulating the culture medium through aeration, the sustainable and environmentally friendly algae balls enter a state of suspension and circulation within the columnar photobiological reactor, increasing the gas-liquid contact interface and gas congestion time. This improves the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency and prevents algae loss, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the columnar photobiological reactor.

[0046] 5. Mechanisms for the introduction of industrial exhaust gases and carbon dioxide capture By introducing industrial exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide into a tube-type photobiological reactor, microalgae cells absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and also perform carbon fixation, resulting in a carbon dioxide concentration of approximately 10% to 60% in the exhaust gas. This mechanism allows for the direct treatment of industrial exhaust gas, achieving highly efficient carbon dioxide capture and carbon reduction.

[0047] 6. Mechanisms for reuse and stable long-term operation The immobilized, sustainable, and environmentally friendly algae balls can be collected after operation and repeatedly fed into the photobioreactor for use. Even after multiple cycles, the structural integrity and carbon dioxide capture efficiency are maintained. These characteristics not only reduce the need for biomass replenishment but also provide system operational stability and economic advantages.

[0048] 7. Resource Recycling and Sustainable Applications After use, the sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed balls can be further transformed into biomass energy raw materials, agricultural materials, or other resource-utilizing products. This allows for the reuse of carbon sequestration results, enhances the value of carbon resource utilization, and promotes the development of a circular economy and sustainability.

[0049] This invention is a sustainable, environmentally friendly algae ball system applied to the capture of carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, and differs from conventional microalgae carbon dioxide capture technologies in the following technical features.

[0050] (1) Use an immobilized spherical structure instead of a suspension culture system. Most existing microalgae carbon dioxide capture technologies utilize a floating culture method, dispersing the algae in a culture medium. This not only results in the algae being lost with the fluid but also increases capture costs. According to this invention, the immobilization technology allows microalgae to form sustainable algal balls, fixing the microalgae cells within the carrier. This effectively prevents cell loss while maintaining a high biomass density, and also improves the stability of carbon dioxide capture.

[0051] (ii) Chitosan-enhanced two-layer structure design Existing immobilized microparticles are mostly single-layer gel structures, and therefore easily suffer damage and swelling under prolonged exposure to air and fluid shearing. According to this invention, a chitosan coating layer is formed on the outer layer of the sphere, creating a two-layer structure. This significantly improves mechanical strength, shear resistance, and durability, making it suitable for highly turbulent reaction environments and extending its service life.

[0052] (3) Integration of flow field characteristics of a columnar photobiotherapeutic reactor Existing microalgae immobilization technologies are mostly applied to wastewater treatment and static reaction systems, and therefore do not integrate with the bubble flow field characteristics of columnar reactors. According to this invention, by applying sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls to a columnar photobiological reactor, the spheres enter a circulating state in the bubble flow field, increasing gas congestion time and contact interface, and clearly improving gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency.

[0053] (iv) Carbon dioxide recovery capacity that can directly treat high-concentration exhaust gases. Existing microalgae cultivation systems are mostly designed for low-carbon dioxide environments and therefore have insufficient adaptability to high-concentration exhaust gases. The sustainable, environmentally friendly algae cultivation device of this invention maintains the activity and photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae even under conditions of carbon dioxide concentrations of approximately 10% to 60%, allowing for direct introduction and treatment of industrial exhaust gases, thereby improving the feasibility of industrial applications.

[0054] (5) Possessing reusability and long-term stable operation characteristics. Conventional floating culture systems are easily susceptible to efficiency reduction due to algae loss during the operating process, and require biomass replenishment. The immobilized, sustainable, and environmentally friendly algae balls of this invention maintain their structural integrity and carbon dioxide capture efficiency even after multiple cycles, eliminating the need for replenishment and providing system operational stability and economic advantages.

[0055] (6) Achieving both carbon dioxide capture and resource recycling functions. Existing carbon dioxide capture technologies primarily focus only on removing carbon dioxide, neglecting resource utilization. The sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed balls of this invention, after use, can be converted into raw materials for biomass energy or agricultural materials, thus reusing the results of carbon sequestration and realizing the integrated application of carbon dioxide capture and a circular economy.

[0056] The carbon dioxide capture technology using seaweed balls, which protects the environment in this invention, possesses high industrial integration and cross-domain application potential. Furthermore, it can be introduced into exhaust gas treatment flows based on the exhaust gas characteristics of different industries, and can combine carbon resource utilization and recycling mechanisms, thereby achieving carbon reduction and sustainable development goals.

[0057] 1. In the steel and metal manufacturing industry, exhaust gases containing high concentrations of carbon dioxide from process emissions are directly introduced into a photobioreactor, where carbon is fixed by seaweed balls for sustainable environmental protection. This reduces carbon emissions from the process, improves the company's carbon reduction performance, and can be applied to the integration of exhaust gas treatment systems with factory carbon reduction facilities.

[0058] 2. In the petrochemical and plastics manufacturing industries, this invention is installed at the exhaust end of the process, introducing exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide into the reaction system to recover carbon dioxide, and converting the resulting microalgae cells into biomaterials and agricultural materials, thereby promoting the use of recycled resources in the industry and reducing the burden of waste disposal.

[0059] 3. In the power generation and energy industry, the combustion gases from thermal power plants and combined heat and power systems have carbon dioxide captured and treated by this invention, resulting in advantages such as reduced carbon emissions and enhanced carbon reduction in energy systems. Therefore, it will be an important technological tool for ESG and carbon management strategies.

[0060] 4. In the fields of environmental engineering and carbon management technology, this invention can be integrated into CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage) systems and, as a biological carbon fixation solution, utilizes microalgae to convert carbon dioxide into biomass, improving the utilization efficiency of carbon resources and reducing the demand for carbon sequestration.

[0061] 5. In the biomass energy and sustainable fuel industry, biomass generated by immobilizing microalgae will be further processed for oil extraction and conversion, integrating carbon dioxide capture and renewable energy production into an energy loop pattern as a source of raw materials for biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

[0062] 6. In the application of agriculture and recycled materials, the sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed balls used can be converted into organic fertilizers and soil conditioners, improving soil structure and microbial ecosystems, promoting crop growth, and forming a cyclical system of carbon sequestration and agricultural utilization.

[0063] Furthermore, this invention can be applied to environmental education and sustainability exhibition facilities. The transparent reaction apparatus displays the carbon dioxide capture and air purification processes, allowing people to intuitively understand the carbon cycle mechanism and carbon reduction technologies, thereby improving awareness of sustainable development and carbon neutrality in society.

[0064] As described above, the two-layer structure of the algae ball device for capturing carbon dioxide applied to industrial exhaust gas according to the present invention, which is a fixed, sustainable environmental protection device, effectively improves upon the shortcomings of conventional methods, clearly enhances the carbon dioxide capture efficiency of microalgae, ensures high carbon absorption efficiency, and maintains long-term operational stability of the system, thus possessing feasibility for industrial application. Furthermore, it effectively reduces capture costs, thus overcoming the shortcomings of existing technologies and providing application value for industrial carbon reduction, resource recycling, and the promotion of sustainable development. Therefore, the present invention is more progressive and practical, and we will file a utility model registration application in accordance with the law.

[0065] The above are merely better embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. All equivalent changes and modifications made based on the claims and specifications relating to the present invention are included within the scope of the claims of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0066] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram of a two-layer structure of a fixed, sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed ball device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a photograph of the algae concentration distribution on day 0 of the sustainable environmental protection algae ball according to the present invention. [Figure 2B] This is a photograph of the algae concentration distribution on the 14th day of the sustainable environmental protection algae ball according to the present invention. [Figure 2C] This is a photograph of the algae concentration distribution on the 28th day of the sustainable environmental protection algae ball according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a photograph of the cultivation operation of the sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls according to the present invention in a columnar photobiological reactor. [Figure 4] This is a conceptual diagram of the carbon dioxide removal rate when the sustainable, environmentally friendly algae balls according to this invention are cultivated in three consecutive batches. [Figure 5] This is a photograph of the two-layered, fixed, sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed ball device according to the present invention being exhibited in a commercial area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Photobiological reactor 11 Culture solution 100: A two-layer structure, a fixed, sustainable, environmentally friendly seaweed ball device. 2. Seaweed balls that protect the sustainable environment 20 Biocompatible substrates 21 Spherical Cores 22 Coating layer 3. Gas flow induction unit 4. Microalgae cells 5. Ventilation Unit

Claims

1. A sustainable, fixed algae ball device that protects the environment with a two-layer structure that captures carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases. A photobiological reactor in which the culture medium is stored, A sustainable algae ball that protects multiple environments is provided, which is placed inside the photobiological reactor and is a two-layered spherical gel, having a spherical core in which cultured microalgae cells are fixed to a biocompatible substrate to form a 3D porous structure, and a coating layer covering the surface of the spherical core to improve the mechanical strength and shear resistance of the sphere. The photobiological reactor is installed, and industrial exhaust gas containing carbon dioxide is directly introduced to generate microbubbles. By controlling their residence time and distribution, the gas-liquid contact area and mass transfer efficiency are improved. Furthermore, a flow field of bubbles is formed by the aeration unit and culture medium circulation. As a result, the sustainable algae balls protecting the environment enter a state of suspension and circulation within the photobiological reactor, increasing the gas residence time and contact area. The microalgae cells in the sustainable algae balls absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and performing carbon fixation. The gas flow induction unit is included, and the volume percentage concentration of carbon dioxide in the industrial exhaust gas is between 10% and 60%. A sustainable, fixed algae ball device that protects the environment by having a two-layer structure that captures carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases.

2. The biocompatible substrate is alginic acid or a biodegradable natural polymer material, characterized in that the two-layer structure of the sustainable immobilized algae ball device for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases protects the environment, as described in claim 1.

3. A sustainable, immobilized algae ball device for protecting the environment with a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, as described in claim 1, characterized in that the coating layer is a chitosan coating layer.

4. The photobiotherm is a tubular photobiotherm, characterized in that the photobiotherm is a tubular type photobiotherm, and is a sustainable immobilized algae ball device with a two-layer structure that protects the environment for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas as described in claim 1.

5. The microalgae cells are selected from Chlorella, cyanobacteria, or microalgae having carbon fixation capabilities, characterized in that the two-layer structure of the sustainable immobilized algae ball device for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases protects the environment, as described in claim 1.

6. A sustainable, fixed seaweed ball device for protecting the environment with a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, characterized in that the source of the industrial exhaust gas is boiler exhaust, power generation exhaust, incineration system exhaust, or industrial process exhaust, as described in claim 1.

7. The sustainable immobilized seaweed ball device for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gases, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that the environmentally friendly seaweed ball can be collected and repeatedly reused in the photobioreactor to recover carbon dioxide.

8. The sustainable seaweed ball device for protecting the environment by having a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, characterized in that the sustainable seaweed ball that protects the environment is recycled at least three times, and after that, the removal rate of carbon dioxide from the industrial exhaust gas is maintained at an average of 90% or more.

9. A sustainable immobilized algae ball device for protecting the environment with a two-layer structure for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, characterized in that the cultured sustainable algae ball, or the cells of the microalgae thereof, are converted into biomass energy raw materials or agricultural materials, as described in claim 1.

10. A sustainable, immobilized seaweed ball device for recovering carbon dioxide from industrial exhaust gas, characterized in that the carbon dioxide removal rate from the industrial exhaust gas is 90% or more, and which protects the environment with a two-layer structure.

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