Capturing Carbon: the role of biocatalysts and biofuels

Next steps

In the case of catalysts, Akermin is currently developing and testing a next generation approach that uses an environmentally-friendly solvent and proprietary process scheme with on-line biocatalyst replenishment.  This approach has the potential to reduce the avoided cost of capture by as much as 40% versus the solutions that have recently been evaluated for commercial-scale demonstration on coal-fired power plants throughout North America and Europe.

Meanwhile, the current Akermin technology may well proceed to commercialization – though we do not have firm date ranges or decision-points at this time.

Feasible or not feasible?

The jury’s out on algae technologies (and other CO2-munchers) for fuels at the moment — some companies say it’s a matter of time, some are more cautious on the endgame and in particular on the timing. Certainly, the business case is getting better and more companies are moving past pilot-stage and towards commercial operations. Certainly, the potential of CO2 supply far outstrips the capital available for algae commercial-scale ventures, right at this moment, and the capacity for absorbing new fuels supply, particularly biodiesel which is still winning acceptance at B20 and higher blend rates.

More on the story

A presentation containing Akermin’s pilot plant results is available here.