Welcome to BIOCUF Project
Our Solution: Enzymatic CO2 Capture and Transformation
BIOCUF is focused on maturing a cutting-edge CO2 capture and utilization technology from TRL 3 (experimental proof of concept) to TRL 5 (technology validated in a relevant, industrially-simulated environment).
OBJECTIVES
The overarching goal of BIOCUF is to demonstrate an integrated process where CO2 is captured and simultaneously transformed into formate
Specific Objectives Include:
Enzyme Engineering: Generating improved variants of Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) and Formate Dehydrogenase (FDH) through advanced protein engineering techniques
Creating a Biocatalytic Complex: Designing a fusion protein complex (CA-FDH) that efficiently catalyzes the conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate CA’s role and subsequently bicarbonate to formate FDH’s role
Pilot Plant Validation: Investigating the full system—including the enzyme complex and phase-change solvent—in a TRL 5 carbon capture pilot plant
Performance Targets: Achieving a capture rate of at least 90% and an energy consumption close to 2.3 GJ/t CO2
The Technology Explained
The BIOCUF system is uniquely powerful due to the synergy between its components:
Enzymatic Fixation (CA & FDH): We replace energy-intensive chemical capture steps with two highly efficient enzymes. The Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) significantly accelerates the dissolution of CO2 into bicarbonate. The Formate Dehydrogenase (FDH) then utilizes this bicarbonate to produce the valuable end product, formate.
SpyTag/SpyCatcher Fusion: To ensure maximum reaction efficiency and enzyme stability in industrial conditions, CA and FDH are genetically engineered and then linked together using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher method. This creates a stable, irreversible covalent bond, optimally positioning the active sites of the two enzymes for cascade catalysis
Phase-Change Solvent System: The enzymes are used within an aqueous amine phase-change solvent solution (e.g., DMCA). This solvent undergoes liquid-liquid separation after CO2 absorption, allowing the majority of the liquid phase CO2-lean portion) to be recycled without thermal energy. This design is key to achieving low-temperature regeneration (below 60 oC) and protecting the enzymes from high heat.
Sustainable Cofactor Regeneration: Formate production requires the enzyme cofactor NADH to be continuously regenerated. We are developing an external, sustainable regeneration reactor using electrochemical or photo-electrochemical cells, powered by renewable energy, to recycle the cofactors, ensuring the process is economically and environmentally viable.
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