Experimental study of a biocatalyst-promoted carbonate absorption process for CO2 capture from post-combustion flue gases

Arezoo Khodayari, Yongqi Lu, Mark J. Rood

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A stirred cell reactor was fabricated and used to evaluate the activity of the carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to promote the rate of CO2 absorption into the potassium carbonate (PC) solution. The absorption rate of CO2 into the PC solution mixed with 300 g/cu m CA was improved by 6-20 times compared to that with no addition of enzyme. Compared with the MEA solution, carbonate solutions with low heats of absorption showed much slower CO2 absorption rates. A mathematical model based on the Penetration Theory for the liquid phase mass transfer was developed and showed agreement with experimental results. The model was further used to investigate the impact of the CA dosage varying in a wide range on the CO2 absorption rate. At CA dosage levels > 3000 g/cu m, increasing the CA dosage does not improve the rate of absorption. The Integrated Vacuum Carbonate Absorption Process is thus a promising technology for capturing CO2. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 103rd AWMA Annual Conference and Exhibition (Alberta, Canada 6/22-25/2010).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication103rd Air and Waste Management Association Annual Conference and Exhibition 2010 - Manuscripts/Extended Abstracts
Pages3594-3608
Number of pages15
StatePublished - 2010
Event103rd Air and Waste Management Association Annual Conference and Exhibition 2010 - Calgary, AB, Canada
Duration: Jun 22 2010Jun 25 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Air and Waste Management Association's Annual Conference and Exhibition, AWMA
Volume5
ISSN (Print)1052-6102

Other

Other103rd Air and Waste Management Association Annual Conference and Exhibition 2010
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityCalgary, AB
Period6/22/106/25/10

Keywords

  • CO absorption
  • Carbonic anhydrase
  • Potassium carbonate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • General Energy

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