Bioelectrocatalyzed Nitrogen Fixation under Standard Conditions

The Haber-Bosch process is the dominant industrial method for nitrogen fixation in the world, with production exceeding 140MM tons in 2009. This process of converting nitrogen and hydrogen to ammonia is one of the great scientific achievements in the modern world. However, Haber-Bosch process is energy intensive requiring pressures >150 bar and temperatures >400 C to achieve 8-15% efficiency. In the Phase I project, Fulcrum BioScience demonstrated a nitrogen fixation process utilizing a bioelectrocatalyed biofilm with comparable efficiency at standard conditions. In this Phase II project, Fulcrum BioScience will develop the technology into a sub-scale prototype unit which requires only electricity, water and air. This effort includes optimization of the operating conditions, biological nitrogen fixing mechanism, biofilm stability and product extraction. A test stand that accommodates both biofilm growth and maintenance and electrochemical stimulation will be designed and built. By the end of the Phase II, a sub-scale prototype unit will be fabricated that generates ammonia at a commercially viable rate under standard conditions.