Biocatalytic CO2 Absorption in Rotating Packed Bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CO2 capture technologies require large equipment and high energy inputs, leading to significant capital and operating costs, and have not effectively reduced equipment size or installation footprint despite various enhancements.
Innovation Solution
A biocatalytic process using carbonic anhydrase at elevated concentrations in a high-intensity reactor, such as a rotating packed bed, to convert CO2 into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, enhancing CO2 absorption rates while minimizing equipment size and energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional packed column or spray column technology is used for CO2 absorption, then gas absorption can be achieved, but the equipment size and installation footprint become large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the absorption solution by adding carbonic anhydrase enzyme and operating at elevated temperatures (50-100°C). This biochemical parameter change accelerates the CO2 absorption reaction kinetics, allowing smaller equipment to achieve the same absorption capacity, thus reducing equipment volume while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite absorption solution combining chemical solvents (such as amines or carbonate solutions) with the biocatalyst carbonic anhydrase. This composite system leverages both the high carrying capacity of chemical solvents and the rapid reaction kinetics of the enzyme, enabling compact equipment design that maintains high CO2 absorption rates without requiring large volumes
2Productivity
If conventional contactor technology is used for CO2 capture, then CO2 absorption can be performed, but energy requirements for regeneration become high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention operates the absorption process at elevated temperatures (50-100°C), which changes the thermal parameters of the system. This temperature elevation pre-heats the absorption solution, reducing the temperature differential required during regeneration and thereby lowering the energy input needed for CO2 desorption while maintaining high capture efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces purely physical absorption mechanisms with a biocatalytically enhanced chemical reaction system. The carbonic anhydrase enzyme catalyzes CO2 conversion to bicarbonate, creating a more efficient chemical absorption mechanism that requires less energy-intensive regeneration compared to conventional physical or chemical absorption systems
3Productivity
If absorption solution formulation is optimized to maximize absorption rate, then CO2 absorption efficiency improves, but equipment size reduction is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces temperature as a critical parameter (operating at 50-100°C) and adds carbonic anhydrase to change the kinetic parameters of the absorption reaction. This dual parameter change creates exponentially faster absorption rates that are not achieved by formulation optimization alone, enabling significant equipment size reduction while maintaining or improving absorption efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process significantly accelerates CO2 absorption rates, reducing equipment size and energy consumption, and offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution for CO2 capture compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the CO2 containing gas and the absorption solution within the reaction chamber, in the presence of carbonic anhydrase at elevated biocatalytic concentration, for converting dissolved CO2 into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions
Implementation Method 2
high intensity reactor such as a rotating packed bed
Data Source
AI summary
Intensification techniques are described for enhancing biocatalytic CO2 absorption operations, and may include the use of a rotating packed bed, a rotating disc reactor, a zig-zag reactor or other reactors that utilize process intensification. Carbonic anhydrase can be deployed in the high intensity reactor free in solution, immobilized with respect to particles that flow with the liquid, and/or immobilized to internals, such as packing, that are fixed within the high intensity reactor.