Bioelectrocatalyzed Nitrogen Fixation under Standard Conditions
Abstract
Report developed under topic A13A-T007, contract W911NF-14-C0162. This final report describes the development of a bioelectrocatalyzed nitrogen fixation process using algae biofilm electrodes. The Phase II effort included: Algae biofilm testing of lifetime and robustness, isolation and investigation of nitrogenase, nitrite/nitrate reductase enzymes, electrochemical stimulation of algae, electrolyte concentration and cation identity, process scale-up, ammonia separation, in-situ ammonia generation, studies on the nitrogen fixation method in algae including modelling and cost modelling of the process. The process achieved 16 uM ammonia at 8% coulombic efficiency in a 400mL volume. Ammonia separation without additional chemicals reached >90% efficiency. The process was scaled from 20 cm2 to 200 cm2.Results suggest that the process is viable for a small-scale industrial process, tons/day, with further improvements. Potential applications include distributed commodity chemical manufacturing for fuel, propellants and fertilizer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 07, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1038463
Entities
People
- John Watkins