AirZyme is an R&D focused startup that is developing carbonic anhydrases (CAs) for use in the carbon capture industry. CAs are a family of enzymes that can facilitate the absorption…
pursharifi@gmail.comFebruary 28, 2023
A biomimetic solution to Carbon Capture
Stopping global warming using nature’s own CO2 regulator
Non-toxic & sustainable
Biological enzymes are non-toxic and sustainable, while conventional amine-based solutions produce toxic waste and aerosols with a high CO2 and environmental footprint. A convenient system with minimal health & safety risk.
Reduced energy cost
The enzymatic process is energy efficient, only requiring 80°C heat for the regeneration cycle; while conventional carbon capture requires 120°C, allowing the use of low-quality waste heat instead of producing energy-intensive steam from a boiler.
Lower Capex
Enzymes provide high absorption kinetics of CO2, allows smaller absorption and regeneration columns and doesn’t require pre-treatment equipment such as flue gas desulphurization and wastewater treatment systems.
Partners
Enzymatic Carbon Capture
Post-combustion carbon capture is energy intensive and often uses toxic amine-based chemicals as absorption solvent, having a big environmental impact. With a biomimetic approach, we replace the chemical with the biological enzyme Carbonic Anhydrase which acts as a catalyst, accelerating the conversion of dissolved CO2 in the solvent with a high efficiency and yield of absorption. The process is energy efficient, requiring less heat for the regeneration cycle, allowing the use of low-quality waste heat instead of energy-intensive steam from a boiler. By avoiding toxic and corrosive chemicals, the user receives a convenient and effective CCUS solution.
Carbonic Anhydrase
The enzyme carbonic anhydrase regulates CO₂ in nearly every living organism. It’s active in the human lung and catalyzes the reversible transformation of neutral aqueous CO₂ molecules to the ionic H+ and HCO3- (bicarbonate) when organisms breathe. Scientists have successfully demonstrated that it also reacts to CO₂ under industrial flue gas conditions expanding possibilities for carbon capture. Being one of nature’s fastest-working enzymes reacting 1 million times per second, we can use this fantastic catalyzing property to create a biomimetic process where nature is working to capture CO₂.
Our Enzyme Evolution Program
The harsh industrial conditions in the capturing process represent a challenge to biological catalysts. Our enzyme must remain active in conditions denaturing for a regular enzyme: high heat, high Ph, high ionic strength etc. Achieving in-process stability is important for the economics and efficiency of the process. Our proprietary enzyme evolution program allows us to improve performance such as thermostability via enzyme engineering: directed evolution, rational design and bioinformatics. With our in-house recombinant process we can initiate large-scale production of our enchanhed enzyme ready for CO₂ capture.
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)
CO2 emissions must be reduced to net zero as soon as possible if we want to limit global warming to 1.5°Celsius above pre-industrial times. and CCUS is viewed as the only practical way to achieve deep decarbonization in the industrial sector which we depend on. Our aim is to use the CO2 that our technology captures as the raw material for new products instead of storing it, replacing fossil carbon materials in the production of the fuels, chemicals and materials we use and need everyday.
Blog and News
Stay up-to-date with our progress and the news from the industry
We are enthusiastic to announce that we have been accepted to Stings Deeptech Incubator! This opportunity will allow us to further develop our product and work with amazing coaches and…
pursharifi@gmail.comFebruary 7, 2023
Introduction Carbonic anhydrases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2) to bicarbonate (HCO3-) and protons (H+). They play a crucial role in various…
pursharifi@gmail.comFebruary 5, 2023