For this project, we were tasked with identifying a world problem, and coming up with a biology-related solution to the problem. My group decided to solve global warming with Carbon Capture and Storage, or CCS, and turn the compressed carbon into eco-friendly biofuels. This not only reduces the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, it gives us a sustainable, green way to continue our way of life. For this project, I teamed up with Luke Venezia.
Global Warming
Global warming is the result of an increased amount of greenhouse gases into the air, which therefore increases the average surface temperature of the Earth. This rise in surface temperature can lead to a variety of consequences including flooding, deformed geography, pollution of natural processes, and destruction of ecosystems and their additional species.
Our Solution
To solve this problem in a biology-friendly way, we decided to turn our compressed carbon into biofuels. Biofuels are one of the more promising uses for converted carbon. CO2-based fuels and chemicals can be manufactured through the chemical or biological conversion of CO2, but require large amounts of low-carbon energy for direct use or to produce green hydrogen through water electrolysis. Although energy-intensive, fuels manufactured from CO2 may eventually find an application in sectors for which few green alternatives are available, such as aviation and long-haul transport.
Our Processes
To covert carbon dioxide into supercritical carbon, the most important factors are temperature and pressure. In order for carbon to become supercritical, it has to reach a pressure of about 1075 PSI and stay at a temperature of 31℃. The most common way of achieving this is through a centrifugal compressor. The carbon is fed through the front of a large turbine which moves at speeds of more than 25,000 rpm, creating compressed carbon in its supercritical form.
To convert compressed carbon into biofuels, we have a two-step process. The first step is to use electricity to cause a reaction between carbon dioxide and water that produced a molecule called formate (CHOO–). The next step is to feed the formate to genetically modified bacteria. These bacteria are engineered to devote some their energy to the production of isobutanol, and 3-methyl-1-butanol, as well as removing a carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. The end result is two kinds of biofuels, isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol. These can be directly combusted and do not have to be mixed with gasoline, like ethanol does.
To convert compressed carbon into biofuels, we have a two-step process. The first step is to use electricity to cause a reaction between carbon dioxide and water that produced a molecule called formate (CHOO–). The next step is to feed the formate to genetically modified bacteria. These bacteria are engineered to devote some their energy to the production of isobutanol, and 3-methyl-1-butanol, as well as removing a carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. The end result is two kinds of biofuels, isobutanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol. These can be directly combusted and do not have to be mixed with gasoline, like ethanol does.
Terms
Carbon Capture and Storage: the process of capturing waste carbon dioxide from large point sources, such as a biomass power plant or a cement factory, transporting it to a storage site, and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere, normally an underground geological formation.
Biofuels: a fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass, rather than a fuel produced by the very long-winded geological processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil.
Global Warming: a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system, an aspect of climate change shown by temperature measurements and by multiple effects of the warming.
Greenhouse Gases: Gases that absorb and emit radiant energy within the thermal infrared range and trap in heat.
Liquefaction: a process that reduces the amount of gaseous carbon compounds released in or as a result of an environment or process.
Saline Aquifers: geological formations consisting of water permeable rocks that are saturated with salt water, called brine.
Polymers: a substance that has a molecular structure consisting mostly or entirely of many similar units bonded together, or many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins.
Supercritical Carbon: the fluid state of carbon dioxide where it is held at or above its critical temperature and critical pressure.
Biofuels: a fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass, rather than a fuel produced by the very long-winded geological processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil.
Global Warming: a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system, an aspect of climate change shown by temperature measurements and by multiple effects of the warming.
Greenhouse Gases: Gases that absorb and emit radiant energy within the thermal infrared range and trap in heat.
Liquefaction: a process that reduces the amount of gaseous carbon compounds released in or as a result of an environment or process.
Saline Aquifers: geological formations consisting of water permeable rocks that are saturated with salt water, called brine.
Polymers: a substance that has a molecular structure consisting mostly or entirely of many similar units bonded together, or many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins.
Supercritical Carbon: the fluid state of carbon dioxide where it is held at or above its critical temperature and critical pressure.
Presentation & Website
When we presented our project to the class, we created a slideshow to explain our methods.
To reach a wider audience, Luke and I created a website that explains all of our project. You can reach the website here.
Reflection
Reflecting on the project, it was definitely a great learning experience for me. The research part of the project went well. My Luke and I were able to find good evidence and work towards putting it together into a presentation. This part of the project taught me about the challenges facing our planet and the problems facing tigers. However, there were definitely a few bumps in the road. One example of this is my trip to India. I had a family emergency and had to make a quick trip to India during the beginning of the project. This taught me about the importance of communication. Without my Luke's communication, I would not have been able to contribute to the project and help educate people on what the future looks like. Another peak came when we designed our website. We were able to create a good website with lots of information. This part of the project taught me about website design. However, parts of the project were more of a pit. Because we only had two members, and a week to finish our project, there was a lot of work. Not to mention, we changed our project topic three times! This resulted in having to do more research in a short amount of time. This taught me about hard work. There are still things that I think I need to do better though. I feel like I need to be more empathetic towards the needs of the my group. I also need to work on my cooperation and group work. The Final Project definitely taught me many things and was a lot of fun!
Reflecting on the project, it was definitely a great learning experience for me. The research part of the project went well. My Luke and I were able to find good evidence and work towards putting it together into a presentation. This part of the project taught me about the challenges facing our planet and the problems facing tigers. However, there were definitely a few bumps in the road. One example of this is my trip to India. I had a family emergency and had to make a quick trip to India during the beginning of the project. This taught me about the importance of communication. Without my Luke's communication, I would not have been able to contribute to the project and help educate people on what the future looks like. Another peak came when we designed our website. We were able to create a good website with lots of information. This part of the project taught me about website design. However, parts of the project were more of a pit. Because we only had two members, and a week to finish our project, there was a lot of work. Not to mention, we changed our project topic three times! This resulted in having to do more research in a short amount of time. This taught me about hard work. There are still things that I think I need to do better though. I feel like I need to be more empathetic towards the needs of the my group. I also need to work on my cooperation and group work. The Final Project definitely taught me many things and was a lot of fun!