Applications of Technology:
- Low energy intensive dilute CO2 capture
Benefits:
- Self sustaining and self replicating via photosynthesis (does not require feeding)
- Significant reduction in capital expenses of dilute CO2 capture from the atmosphere
- Can function in both point source systems and atmosphere
Background:
Carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes catalyze the otherwise slow process of turning CO2 into carbonic acid, which can then react with minerals in seawater to form limestone. This represents a promising method of rapid CO2 sequestration in seawater. However, supplying CA to this type of system can be cost prohibitive if it is sourced externally. In contrast, as a biosynthetic product, CA could be sourced renewably at steady-state by a photosynthetic bacterial expression system, thereby overcoming cost barriers.
Technology Overview:
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a technology for capturing dilute CO2 emissions, capitalizing on the rapid mineralization capabilities of enzyme-catalyzed reactions coupled with a self-sustaining enzyme expression system. This technology leverages a continuous CA production system within marine cyanobacteria. By utilizing photosynthetic processes and readily available inorganic carbon and nutrients in seawater, this system generates CA sustainably, bypassing the need to add nutrient supplements. Moreover, the abundance of zinc in seawater ensures stable saturation of CA active sites, further enhancing the efficiency and scalability of the process. This approach not only addresses the cost bottleneck of enzymatic CO2 capture but also demonstrates a sustainable pathway for large-scale carbon sequestration efforts.
Development Stage:
System validation in laboratory environment.
Principal Investigator:
- Peter Agbo
Status:
Patent pending
Opportunities:
Available for licensing or collaborative research