EC funds bacteria-based CO2 storage

A carbon-dioxide-storage system based on bacteria is the goal of CO₂SolStock, a three-year project funded by the EC.

The project, which was initiated by Belgian company BIOMIM Greenloop, includes academic partners from TU Delft in Belgium, Edinburgh University, Granada University in Spain and Lausanne University in Switzerland.

In their natural environment, certain bacteria are able to absorb CO₂ from the air and bind it to calcium. This triggers precipitation consisting of lime deposits (calcium carbonates).

It is claimed that using bacteria for CO₂ storage imposes fewer risks than the traditional techniques because CO₂ is stored as a solid substance instead of gas. The researchers behind CO₂SolStock also claim that CO₂ drawn from the air can be used as a source of carbon. It is believed that this eliminates the normal energy-intensive processes required for CO₂ concentration.

Beyond CO₂ storage, this technique is also being considered for biocementation. The research team believes that it could be used, for example, in the consolidation of sand bodies. It is hoped that industrial processes that require CO₂ and/or calcium may also be able to use the technology.