Research Projects

The rising levels of industrial CO₂ and greenhouse gases emissions pose a significant environmental challenge. This project proposes a novel, integrated bioelectrochemical platform that couples a hollow fiber membrane bioreactor (HFMB) with an algae-assisted microbial fuel cell (AMFC) for simultaneous dual action carbon capture, wastewater treatment, and biomass valorization. The system leverages algal biofilms both in the hollow fiber membrane bioreactor (HFMB) and on the algae-assisted microbial fuel cell (AMFC) cathode to convert industrial flue gases into valuable algal biomass while generating bioelectricity and purifying wastewater in a single loop. One of the key challenges in photobioreactor (PBR)-based microalgal systems for carbon capture is the inefficient removal of dissolved oxygen (DO), a byproduct of photosynthesis, which can inhibit algal growth and reduce overall CO₂ fixation efficiency. Additionally, such systems face significant limitations including poor mass transfer, uneven light distribution, and high operational costs. However, the proposed integrated HFMB–AMFC approach addresses these issues by facilitating the utilization of dissolved oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor at the cathode, where it accepts electrons generated at the anode and undergoes reduction, thereby not only mitigating DO accumulation but also contributing to bioelectricity generation. Additionally, dual algal biofilms (on hollow fiber membranes and AMFC cathode) will enhance mass transfer and system efficiency. Furthermore, to overcome light penetration issues common in closed photobioreactors, a novel detachable PVC cage embedded with internal LED lights will be integrated around the HFMB module to illuminate the algal biofilm uniformly. The outer surface of this cage will be wrapped with a carbon-based cathode, and an external light source will support the cathodic algal biofilm, ensuring optimal illumination for both layers and enhancing overall system performance. The project will proceed in three key phases. In Phase 1, the system will be operated using pure CO₂ to optimize operational parameters and evaluate baseline performance under controlled conditions. Phase 2 will introduce real industrial flue gases from sources such as beverage and distillery industries to assess system robustness and environmental adaptability. In Phase 3, the harvested algal biomass will be processed and analyzed for protein content and other bioactive compounds, establishing the platform’s viability for sustainable product generation. The research will also investigate microbial and algal community dynamics, membrane–biofilm interactions, and the operational behavior of biofilms under varying CO₂ loads and wastewater matrices. This project supports India’s carbon neutrality and circular economy goals by developing a scalable, low-cost bioreactor for CO₂ capture and wastewater treatment, addressing SDGs 6, 7, and 13.