Carbon - from harm to benefit (HiHaCO2)

HiHaCO2 – Carbon: from harm to benefit
Producing hydrogen, high-value compounds and nutrient-rich biomass from carbon dioxide emissions with the help of microalgae


Can carbon dioxide and nutrient-rich water from fish farming be turned into useful products?

The HiHaCO2 project investigates how carbon dioxide and nutrient-rich side streams from aquaculture can be used to cultivate microalgae. Microalgae need carbon dioxide, light and nutrients to grow. The aim is to develop a process in which materials that would otherwise be considered emissions or underused side streams can be converted into useful products such as hydrogen, natural pigments and nutrient-rich biomass.

The project brings together carbon dioxide capture, microalgae cultivation, measurement technologies and digital modelling as part of the same process.


How the process works

The process studied in the HiHaCO2 project is based on the principles of the circular economy.

First, carbon dioxide is captured and supplied to the microalgae cultivation process. The microalgae use the carbon dioxide together with nutrients contained in water from aquaculture systems to support their growth.

During cultivation, factors such as light, temperature, water quality and algal growth are monitored. The measurement data helps researchers identify the conditions in which the microalgae grow efficiently and produce the desired compounds.

The cultivated microalgal biomass can then be studied as a potential source of hydrogen, pigments, other useful compounds and nutrient-rich biomass.

The aim is to create a process in which a side stream from one activity can become a raw material for another.


Carbon dioxide as a raw material

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, but in microalgae cultivation it is also an important raw material.

The project develops methods for capturing carbon dioxide and releasing it in a controlled way for use by microalgae. The research includes porous materials that can bind carbon dioxide and release it when needed.

The aim is to determine how carbon dioxide capture and utilisation can be efficiently integrated into microalgae cultivation.


Microalgae use carbon dioxide and nutrients

Microalgae are microscopic photosynthetic organisms that use light, carbon dioxide and nutrients to grow.

In the HiHaCO2 project, nutrient-rich water from aquaculture systems is also used in microalgae cultivation. This makes it possible to investigate how nutrients contained in the water could be recycled into new biomass instead of remaining unused.

As they grow, microalgae can produce a range of valuable compounds. The project studies, for example, the production of natural pigments. Microalgal biomass may also have potential uses as a raw material for fertilisers, animal feed or other bio-based products.

The project also investigates the potential of biological hydrogen production using microalgae.


Measurements help identify the best growth conditions

Microalgae growth and the compounds they produce depend strongly on the cultivation conditions. Factors such as light, temperature, nutrient availability and carbon dioxide supply can all affect the outcome.


For this reason, the project develops methods for measuring and monitoring the microalgae cultivation process.

Sensors are used to continuously collect information about the cultivation conditions. The measurement data can then be used to study how changes in the process affect microalgae growth and the production of desired compounds.

The aim is to identify cultivation conditions that are as controlled and efficient as possible.


A digital twin helps us understand the process

The project is developing a digital twin of the microalgae cultivation process. A digital twin is a digital model that represents the behaviour of the real process.

Measurement data from sensors is combined with information about how the cultivation process operates. The model can be used to study microalgae growth and to predict how changes in factors such as temperature, lighting or carbon dioxide supply may affect the process.

The project also aims to utilise artificial intelligence in process modelling and optimisation.

In the future, the digital twin may make it easier to control, test and develop the cultivation process without having to test every change first in the physical system.


Where are we now?

The project is currently focusing in particular on developing microalgae cultivation conditions, measurement methods and process monitoring.

The research examines the conditions in which microalgae grow best and how their growth can be monitored reliably with sensors. At the same time, cultivation is being developed from small laboratory-scale systems towards larger cultivation volumes.

Hydrogen production is a later stage of the research. The first priority is to gain a thorough understanding of the microalgae cultivation process and to improve the ability to control it.

The project progresses step by step. Based on the results, the researchers will assess which methods show the greatest potential for further development and possible larger-scale applications.


Why is this being studied?

The HiHaCO2 project explores new ways of using carbon dioxide and nutrient-rich side streams as raw materials in the circular economy.

If carbon dioxide and nutrients can be used to grow microalgae, and the microalgae can in turn be used to produce valuable products, the same process could combine carbon dioxide utilisation, nutrient recycling and the production of bio-based raw materials.

The research will provide new knowledge about the conditions required for such a process to work in practice and about the technologies needed to make it possible.


Bringing together expertise from different fields

HiHaCO2 is a joint research and development project between Jamk University of Applied Sciences and the University of Jyväskylä.

The project brings together expertise in areas including microalgae cultivation, chemistry, carbon dioxide capture, measurement technology, information technology and process modelling.

The multidisciplinary collaboration aims to develop an integrated process in which carbon dioxide capture, microalgae cultivation and digital process monitoring support one another.

Project objectives

The aim of the HiHaCO2 project is to generate new knowledge and solutions for using carbon dioxide and nutrient-rich side streams with the help of microalgae.

The project focuses in particular on:

• capturing carbon dioxide and using it in microalgae cultivation
• utilising nutrient-rich water from aquaculture systems
• optimising microalgae cultivation conditions
• studying high-value compounds and biomass produced by microalgae
• investigating biological hydrogen production using microalgae
• measuring and monitoring the cultivation process with sensors
• using digital twins and artificial intelligence for process modelling.

The project results will support the development of new circular economy solutions and more efficient use of carbon dioxide and nutrients.


The project results will strengthen Central Finland's expertise in carbon dioxide utilisation, microalgae technologies, hydrogen production and intelligent process management. At the same time, the project brings together expertise from higher education institutions, research and companies to develop new solutions for sustainable growth from carbon dioxide emissions and nutrient-rich side streams.

Would you like to learn more about the project? Get in touch!

Elja Kallberg
Senior Advisor
Institute of New Industry
School of Technology
+358 50 427 3078
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi