Electrochemical CO2 Release via Acid Stream for Photosynthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) technologies face challenges in scaling up and deploying sustainable methods for ocean acidification reversal, with electrochemical systems generating acid streams that require costly storage, neutralization, and disposal, and lack effective methods for CO2 capture and storage.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that couples electrochemical marine carbon capture with photosynthesis, using an electrochemical cell to convert seawater into base and acid streams, where the acid stream is used to catalyze CO2 release and storage by photosynthetic organisms, enhancing growth rates and CO2 capture efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrochemical systems are used to generate acid streams for marine carbon dioxide removal, then carbon capture capability is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase due to required storage, neutralization, and disposal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrochemical acid generation process with a photosynthetic CO2 capture system. The acid stream that would normally require separate storage, neutralization, and disposal is instead directly fed to photosynthetic organisms that consume the acid and capture CO2 simultaneously, merging two previously separate processes into one integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful acidic effluent, which would normally need costly treatment and disposal, into a beneficial resource for photosynthetic organisms. The acid stream becomes a substrate that drives CO2 capture by the photosynthetic system, transforming a waste management problem into a productivity enhancement opportunity
2Reliability
If conventional electrochemical marine carbon capture is used, then base streams are produced for ocean alkalinity enhancement, but acid stream disposal costs and environmental concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful acid stream byproduct into a useful resource for photosynthetic CO2 capture. The acid that would normally harm the environment is instead utilized by photosynthetic organisms to drive carbon fixation, converting an environmental liability into a functional benefit
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the acid stream as waste requiring costly disposal, the system recovers value by feeding it to photosynthetic organisms. The acid stream is not discarded but recovered and utilized as a substrate that enhances CO2 capture efficiency while eliminating disposal requirements
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 approach increases marine photosynthetic CO2 capture rates by 3.5 times and doubles overall CO2 capture, providing a scalable, sustainable solution for carbon sequestration with potential economic benefits through the production of marine photosynthesis products.
Implementation Method 1
the electrochemical cell converts the saline water into (i) a base stream comprising hydroxide ions, (ii) an at least partially deionized water stream, and (iii) an acid stream comprising hydrogen ions
Implementation Method 2
the acid stream catalyzes release of CO2 from the growth medium to accelerate growth of the photosynthetic organism
Implementation Method 3
facilitates CO2 storage by the photosynthetic organism
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are aspects of a system for coupling electrochemical marine carbon capture with photosynthesis. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the system comprises an electrochemical cell that converts saline water into (i) a base stream, (ii) an at least partially deionized water stream, and (iii) an acid stream. In some aspects, the system further comprises a biomass cultivation unit in fluid communication with the acid stream, the biomass cultivation unit comprising a photosynthetic organism. The acid stream catalyzes release of CO2 in a growth medium for the photosynthetic organism to accelerate growth of the photosynthetic organism relative to growth without the acid stream and facilitates CO2 storage by the photosynthetic organism. Also disclosed herein are aspects of a method for coupling electrochemical marine carbon capture with photosynthesis.