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The use of carbonic anhydrase to accelerate carbon dioxide capture processes
Author(s) -
Yong Joel K. J.,
Stevens Geoff W.,
Caruso Frank,
Kentish Sandra E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.4502
Subject(s) - chemistry , carbonic anhydrase , carbon dioxide , flue gas , solvent , desorption , chemical engineering , adsorption , substrate (aquarium) , absorption (acoustics) , organic chemistry , enzyme , materials science , engineering , oceanography , composite material , geology
The chemical absorption of CO 2 into a monoethanolamine solvent is currently the most widely accepted commercial approach to carbon dioxide capture. However, the subsequent desorption of CO 2 from the solvents is extremely energy intensive. Alternative solvents are more energy efficient, but their slow reaction kinetics in the CO 2 absorption step limits application. The use of a carbonic anhydrase ( CA ) enzyme as a reaction promoter can potentially overcome this obstacle. Native, engineered and artificial CA enzymes have been investigated for this application. Immobilization of the enzyme within the gas absorber or in a membrane format can increase enzyme stability and avoid thermal denaturation in the stripper. However, immobilization is only effective if the mass transfer of carbon dioxide through the liquid phase to reach the immobilization substrate does not become rate controlling. Further research should also consider the process economics of large‐scale enzyme production and the long‐term performance of the enzyme under real flue gas conditions. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry