CAPTACO2

Development of a device for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) through a chemical reaction that converts carbon dioxide into carbonate with the objective to fight against climate change and reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The CAPTACO2 project develops an innovative device that uses special polysulfone membranes which manage to obtain a capture solution inside and produce the conversion of carbon dioxide into carbonate.

During the first phase of development, the CAPTACO2 project has tested different membranes configurations and capture solutions in order to maximise the efficiency of the process. The most efficient configuration has been composed of a highly hydrophobic polysulfone membrane, together with the carbonic anhydrase capture solution.

Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that has a high capacity to convert CO₂ into carbonic acid in a reversible way and, additionally, it is essential in the photosynthesis of plants. This enzyme is found in chloroplasts in the leaves, lungs and other tissues of the human body.

The project, which fights against the climate change, has counted with the participation of the Chemical Technology Unit of Eurecat, together with the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Rovira i Virgili University and the Greenova Foundation.