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BIOMIMETIC FIXATION OF CO2 AS SOURCE OF SALTS AND GLUCOSE

Projektbeschreibung

Mit Membrantechnologie CO2 in wertvolle Verbindungen umwandeln

Bei der CO2-Abscheidung und -Speicherung in geologischen Lagerstätten handelt es sich um eine der wichtigsten Strategien, um die CO2-Konzentration in der Atmosphäre zu senken. Dabei wird jedoch das CO2 entfernt, ohne sein enormes Potenzial als Kohlenstoffquelle für die Produktion wertvoller Verbindungen zu berücksichtigen. Die Natur verfügt über einen Mechanismus, um CO2 zu konzentrieren und den anorganischen Kohlenstoff in Form von Glukose in organischem Material anzureichern. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt CO2LIFE wird einen biomimetischen chemischen Prozess entwickeln, der CO2 unter Einsatz der Membrantechnologie in wertvolle Moleküle umwandelt. Das Team wird ein membranbasiertes CO2-Absorptionskristallisationsverfahren unter Verwendung von Aminosäuresalzen einsetzen und CO2 mittels Enzymen als Katalysatoren, die von Membranen getragen werden, in Glukose oder Salze umwandeln.

Ziel

The continued increase in the atmospheric concentration of CO2 due to anthropogenic emissions is leading to significant changes in climate, with the industry accounting for one-third of all the energy used globally and for almost 40% of worldwide CO2 emissions. Fast actions are required to decrease the concentration of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, value that has currently reaching 400 ppm. Among the technological possibilities that are on the table to reduce CO2 emissions, carbon capture and storage into geological deposits is one of the main strategies that is being applied. However, the final objective of this strategy is to remove CO2 without considering the enormous potential of this molecule as a source of carbon for the production of valuable compounds. Nature has developed an effective and equilibrated mechanism to concentrate CO2 and fixate the inorganic carbon into organic material (e.g. glucose) by means of enzymatic action. Mimicking Nature and take advantage of millions of years of evolution should be considered as a basic starting point in the development of smart and highly effective processes. In addition, the use of amino-acid salts for CO2 capture is envisaged as a potential approach to recover CO2 in the form of (bi)carbonates.
The project CO2LIFE presents the overall objective of developing a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into valuable molecules using membrane technology. The strategy followed in this project is two-fold: i) CO2 membrane-based absorption-crystallization process on basis of using amino-acid salts, and ii) CO2 conversion into glucose or salts by using enzymes as catalysts supported on or retained by membranes. The final product, i.e. (bi)carbonates or glucose, has a large interest in the (bio)chemical industry, thus, new CO2 emissions are avoided and the carbon cycle is closed. This project will provide a technological solution at industrial scale for the removal and reutilization of CO2.

Finanzierungsplan

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Gastgebende Einrichtung

UNIVERSITE CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 1 302 710,00
Adresse
PLACE DE L UNIVERSITE 1
1348 Louvain La Neuve
Belgien

Auf der Karte ansehen

Region
Région wallonne Prov. Brabant Wallon Arr. Nivelles
Aktivitätstyp
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Gesamtkosten
€ 1 302 710,00

Begünstigte (1)