Carbonic Anhydrase Enzyme for Continuous CO2 Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for capturing carbon dioxide from exhaust gases at wellsites are energy-intensive, slow, and uneconomical, with batch mixing providing limited capability for capturing CO2 from the vast volumes of exhaust gases produced during hydraulic fracturing operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of carbonic anhydrase enzymes to catalyze the hydration of CO2 into bicarbonate solution, allowing for continuous capture and separation of CO2 from exhaust gases using small processing equipment, reducing capital and operating costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional batch mixing methods are used to capture CO2 from exhaust gases, then CO2 capture is achieved, but the process is energy-intensive and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical batch mixing systems with a biological enzymatic system using carbonic anhydrase. This enzyme catalyzes the hydration of CO2 to bicarbonate at extremely high rates (millions of reactions per second), substituting energy-intensive mechanical mixing and chemical absorption methods with a biological catalyst that operates under ambient conditions, thereby dramatically increasing capture speed while reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of CO2 capture from slow chemical absorption to rapid enzymatic catalysis. By introducing carbonic anhydrase, the reaction rate parameter increases by several orders of magnitude, transforming the process from batch-operated slow capture to continuous rapid capture, resolving the contradiction between capture speed and energy usage
2Productivity
If conventional CO2 capture equipment is used, then CO2 separation is achieved, but capital and operating costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a practical approach where carbonic anhydrase is immobilized on inexpensive solid supports such as silica gel or activated carbon. These enzyme-coated materials can be easily manufactured, replaced, and regenerated at low cost. The system uses simple packed bed reactors rather than complex conventional separation equipment, dramatically reducing both capital and operating costs while maintaining high CO2 capture efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces carbonic anhydrase as an intermediary substance that mediates the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate. This enzyme acts as a biological mediator that enables efficient CO2 capture without requiring expensive conventional separation equipment. The enzyme can be immobilized on cheap solid supports, creating a cost-effective intermediary system that achieves high capture efficiency
3Productivity
If batch mixing is used for CO2 capture, then limited CO2 capture capability is achieved, but continuous capture is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous CO2 capture by passing exhaust gases continuously through packed bed reactors containing immobilized carbonic anhydrase. The enzyme remains stationary on the solid support while gases flow through continuously, enabling uninterrupted CO2 conversion. This continuous operation eliminates the batch mixing interruptions, allowing the system to handle vast volumes of exhaust gas without time loss, thereby resolving the contradiction between capture volume and capture time
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
This method enables rapid, continuous capture of CO2 from large volumes of exhaust gases without high energy consumption, transforming exhaust gases into cleaner air and producing bicarbonate solutions that can be further processed or injected downhole for sequestration, thus reducing atmospheric emissions and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the collected exhaust gas with water in the presence of a carbonic anhydrase catalyst to hydrate the CO2 and form a bicarbonate solution
Implementation Method 2
The use of carbonic anhydrase enzymes to catalyze the hydration of CO2 into bicarbonate solution
Data Source
AI summary
A method including collecting exhaust gas comprising carbon dioxide (CO2) at a wellsite to provide a collected exhaust gas and contacting the collected exhaust gas with water in the presence of a carbonic anhydrase catalyst to hydrate the CO2 and form a bicarbonate solution. A system for carrying out the method is also provided.