Carbonic anhydrase to boost CO₂ sequestration: Improving carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS)

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Environmental Science
• Catalysis and Enzyme Engineering

Background:

• Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is crucial for climate change mitigation.
• Carbonic anhydrase (CA) naturally catalyzes CO2 hydration, presenting a biotechnological CO2 absorption solution.
• Traditional CO2 absorption methods face challenges in efficiency and cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of carbonic anhydrase (CA) as a biocatalyst for CCUS applications.
• To review advancements in enzyme engineering and immobilization for enhanced CA performance.
• To assess the integration of CA in novel CO2 capture systems and accelerated weathering.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of CA applications in CO2 capture and sequestration.
• Analysis of enzyme improvement techniques: protein engineering and immobilization.
• Exploration of CA integration with new solvents and in accelerated weathering processes.

Main Results:

• Engineered and immobilized CA variants show enhanced CO2 absorption kinetics and yields.
• CA integration can reduce energy consumption and improve cost-efficiency in CO2 capture.
• CA shows potential in accelerated weathering for repurposing industrial residues as carbon sinks.

Conclusions:

• Carbonic anhydrase presents a viable biotechnological pathway for competitive CO2 capture.
• Further research in process optimization and techno-economic assessments is needed for industrial scale-up.
• CA holds significant promise for advancing CCUS technologies and reducing environmental costs.