Rather than using higher-energy conventional processes to produce fuels with CO₂, Carbon Sciences uses a lower-energy multi-step biocatalytic process that occurs at low temperature and low pressure. The biocatalyst employed in each step of the process serves to create an intermediate carbon-infused compound that can be acted on by the next step with less energy. At the end of the process, the various carbon-infused compounds are assembled into basic hydrocarbons such as C1 (e.g. methane), C2 (e.g. ethane) and C3 (e.g. propane). These low-carbon hydrocarbons are then upgraded into higher-carbon fuels.

The prototype under development is a flexible laboratory scale setup comprising three primary sections: (1) Gas treatment section, (2) Biocatalytic reaction chamber, and (3) Fuel separation and collection chamber. It is also equipped with in-line sampling and analysis equipment to provide real-time information of process streams. We expect that the stream of CO₂ can be transformed into a flammable liquid fuel.

Our novel innovation is in the biocatalytic formulation and process that induce the biocatalysts to perform their natural function of assembling hydrocarbon molecules from CO₂ and H₂O. The commercial viability challenge is lowering the manufacturing cost of the fuel by enabling the biocatalyst to go through many cycles before replacement. To address that challenge, we are developing a proprietary nanoparticle structure around the biocatalysts, which we expect to be available in the second version of the prototype.

—Dr. Naveed Aslam, inventor and chief technology advisor