With the increase in shortage of electricity and constant increase in the cost of electricity, we are forced to look for alternative sources of generation of electricity to meet the present demand. Global warming induced in the concentration of GHG in the atmosphere is a matter of great environmental concern. Annual emissions of CO2 are estimated to be 2 x 1010 tones primarily from combustion of fossil fuels, with an increasing population and industrialization. Attempts have been made to reduce atmospheric CO2 using physical and chemical treatments to separate and recover CO2 Micro-algal photosynthesis has increasingly received attention as a means of reducing the emission of CO2 from atmosphere [1][2][3]. Emissions from power plants, cement-producing factories & other industries can be controlled by growing photosynthetic micro-algae. It is possible to recycle CO2 to produce microalgae. Microalgal biomass generated can be used as a fuel to supplement coal in generation of electricity [4][5].
Biologists have categorized micro-algae into variety of classes, mainly distinguished by their pigmentation, life cycle and basic cellular structure [6]. The main groups are Bacillariophyceae, Chloroohyceae, Cyanophyceae, and Chrysophyceae. Microalgae are primitive organisms with a simple cellular structure and a large surface to volume body ratio which gives them the possibilities of large uptakes of nutrients. They are fast growing and efficient converter of solar energy capable of producing many times the biomass per unit area compared to terrestrial plants. Microalgae are remarkable and efficient biological factories of converting zero energy in the from of CO2 into a high-density liquid to be used as bio-diesel and heavy biomass [7][8][9][10][11][12].
The studies were aimed at developing mix biomass of micro-algae which can be alternate to coal used for generating power using wastewater and CO2 generated at the industrial site.