Biomimetic Membrane for Carbon Dioxide Capture from Flue Gas

70798 The reduction of greenhouse gases will require a cost efficient method to capture the carbon dioxide in flue gas. This project will develop a biomimetic, enzyme based, hollow fiber membrane system to remove more than 90% of the carbon dioxide from flue gas and enrich it from a feed of 3-20% to a permeate of 95-99 vol%. This highly concentrated carbon dioxide would serve as an intermediate for a subsequent reaction to form calcium/magnesium carbonates for permanent sequestration. Phase I will develop the enzyme-based, hollow fiber contained liquid membrane system to demonstrate high permeance and high selectivity for carbon dioxide/air. The new design will have a guaranteed interfiber spacing to ensure operational integrity of the liquid membrane. Water evaporation from this membrane system will be limited by coating a hydrophobic layer on the hollow fiber surface. Lastly, the technical and economic feasibility of the membrane process will be analyzed. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The biomimetic membrane should provide high carbon dioxide productivity and long-term operation stability under various conditions, resulting in wide application in the U.S. and abroad.