CO2 capture and utilization by biocatalytic synthesis of carboxylic acids: a process design study

The search for less energy-intensive processes is pushing toward a diversification of Carbon-Capture and Utilization/Sequestration (CCU/S) pathways. Biocatalytic processes offer sustainable solutions characterized by extremely mild operating conditions. Over the last decade, post-combustion CO2 capture based on enzymatic reactive absorption experienced remarkable growth from the laboratory to the demonstration scale. The present study explores a novel CCU concept based on phenol carboxylation catalyzed by cofactor-free decarboxylases. The design of the CCU process includes CO2 capture by alkaline solvents boosted by carbonic anhydrase followed by bicarbonate fixation via enzymatic phenol carboxylation. Phenols generated from fractional pyrolysis of biomass were assumed as carboxylation substrates. Two process layouts have been developed and modelled, and reliable experimental data and kinetic model supported the computations. Simulated best cases prove to be feasible options for integrating the enzyme cascade with the conventional CO2 absorption/desorption loop and lignocellulose biomass-derived substrates.