About the project
The work aims to develop a modular system for simultaneous CO2 sequestration and platform chemical production from O2 containing flue gas. Optimisation of the central microbial electrochemical process is one of the focuses of this project in order to maximise the performance of the system.
Although non-photosynthetic microbes have demonstrated high potential for carbon capture and utilisation mainly due to their versatility under a wide range of conditions, their contribution to CO2 sequestration faces challenges if CO2 is mixed with oxygen and some other gases. This is because O2 in the working environment prevents direct CO2 sequestration by those autotrophic microbes, and CO2 cannot be used as an energy source for microbial growth either.
This research proposes a scalable modular system to tackle these challenges, to convert flue gas CO2 to platform chemicals which can then be used for multiple purposes.
The project first aims to address the effective separation of CO2 and O2 to provide suitable growth conditions for autotrophic microbes, then a microbial electrochemical process for biological CO2 reduction. This process is a mixed-culture bioprocess using natural microbes, and therefore safe to operate in natural environments.
Having complex microbial communities colonising both chambers, however, the species/species and species/electrode interactions require thorough investigation to maximise the performance of the system. The effect of the low concentration of dissolved O2 along with CO2 sequestration on the microbial community and the mechanisms of the (bio)electrochemical oxygen consumption will also be identified. The mass flows between different parts of the system need to be optimised to achieve suitable growth conditions.
A preliminary techno-economic assessment as a basis for future life cycle assessment will also be carried out to evaluate its overall performance and scale-up potential.
The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.
