Methods and results for a laboratory scale assessment of a post-combustion carbon dioxide captureprocess enabled by a combination of enzymes and ultrasonics will be presented as the first stage on thepath to constructing and operating an integrated bench-scale system. This solvent-based postcombustioncarbon dioxide capture system integrates a low-enthalpy, aqueous potassium carbonatebasedsolvent with an absorption-enhancing carbonic anhydrase enzyme catalyst and an ultrasonicenhancedregenerator in a re-circulating absorption-desorption process configuration. Whereasultrasonics is used in a variety of industrial degassing applications, its use for solvent regenerationrepresents a novel approach for the CO_2 capture process. Carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the reversiblehydration of carbon dioxide, helping to overcome kinetic limitations for use of K_2CO_3-based solvents forpost-combustion capture, and allowing the capture system to operate at lower temperatures comparedto benchmark MEA. Results from lab-scale evaluation of CO_2 absorption rates in the presence ofenzyme, tolerance of enzyme to ultrasonics, and extent of degassing achievable by sonication in thepresence of enzyme will be presented. The approach to integrating these components in a bench-scalesystem, performance goals, and anticipated energy requirements for the system will be described.
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