Capturing carbon with enzymes
By Bruno De Wachter / Published on Fri, 2007-03-16 08:30A promising technique by CO2 Solution
The research company CO2 Solution of Quebec City, Canada, has developed a new way to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks. It has genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to produce an enzyme that converts carbon dioxide into bicarbonate, a raw material that can be sequestered underground or used to produce substances such as baking soda, chalk, or limestone. The main advantage of a bioreactor containing this enzyme, compared to other systems, is that it does not require separation of the carbon dioxide. It can be used for any gaseous effluent containing carbon dioxide.
CO2 Solution has already tested its process on a small municipal incinerator and on an aluminium smelter. It is now working with power plant equipment manufacturer Babcock and Wilcox on ways to adapt the technology to power stations. The biggest challenge will be to produce enough of the enzymes to process the enormous quantity of carbon dioxide that is emitted from coal- or gas-fired power plants.
Tagged with
Rating
People who read this also read
Popular content
- - Report - Renewables Support Schemes and Grid Integration Policies
- - Huge potential for energy savings: improved regulatory models for efficient investment and loss reduction in electricity network
- - Harmonics Impact Over Protection System of Power Generator
- - RETScreen Wins REEEP Funding for new MTV Tool
- - Energy master plan by OMA: North Sea super ring of wind farms
- - Report - Renewables Support Schemes and Grid Integration Policies
- - Chile – Renewable energy target attracts developers… even though there isn’t a green tariff
- - Research Priorities for Renewable Energy Technology by 2020 and Beyond
- - The cost development of wind energy
- - Are Zero Energy Buildings a Bridge too Far?





