Project description DEENESFRITPL Greener chemical production harnesses microbes and atmospheric CO2 Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technology that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable greener chemistry. To date, MES has been employed primarily to produce acetic acid from CO2. However, enhancements of reactor design and meticulous control of operating conditions could pave the way for the selective production of more valuable middle chain fatty acids (i.e. caproic acid). This will also facilitate downstream processing (extraction and concentration) of the produced chemicals to meet the commercialisation standards. The EU-funded ATMESPHERE project is developing a novel biorefinery concept for the sustainable production, extraction and concentration of caproic acid from CO2. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Reduction of carbon emission to the atmosphere has become a key target to preserve the planet from its dramatic effects. The EU aims to become the first climate-neutral bloc by 2050, but development of novel carbon capture technologies, and a shift towards sustainable production of chemicals, are required to reach such ambitious goal. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES), in which CO2 is biologically converted to carboxylates and/or alcohols, enables reduction of carbon emissions whilst producing green chemical products. To date, acetate is the main compound produced from CO2 via MES, whereas more valuable caproate has been only produced at low concentrations due to product toxicity and thermodynamic limitations. The “atMESphere” project aims to push MES towards commercialisation by implementing a novel, resilient and sustainable biorefinery concept for selective production, extraction and concentration of caproate from CO2. In a first stage, the operation conditions in MES cells (including microbial consortia, pH, H2 partial pressure, and carbon availability) will be investigated and fine-tuned to obtain, for the first time, selective, high-rate caproate production from CO2. Then, a novel two-stage purification process, comprising of extraction through silicone membrane and concentration by shock electrodialysis, will be developed and integrated to the optimised MES cell, through a recirculation loop, to achieve selective separation of caproate, which has several applications in the energy, food and chemical industry. This project is highly interdisciplinary, involving tools, approaches and expertise from engineering, microbiology, electrochemistry, biotechnology, and membrane technology, and the experienced researcher will receive high-quality training on both scientific and horizontal skills. Dissemination, communication and exploitation activities have been planned to reach the most diverse audiences, and ensure commercial relevance of the proposed technology. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactorsengineering and technologychemical engineeringseparation technologiesdesalinationelectrodialysisengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringcarbon capture engineering Keywords Microbial electrochemical technologies Bioelectrochemical systems Caproic acid Membrane extraction Shock electrodialysis Hydrogen partial pressure Biocathode Greenhouse gas Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2020 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2020 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator UNIVERSITAT DE GIRONA Net EU contribution € 160 932,48 Address PLACA SANT DOMENEC 3 17004 Girona Spain See on map Region Este Cataluña Girona Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 160 932,48
