Carbon Loop

What it does

Carbon Loop captures CO₂ directly from factory exhaust using enzyme-coated filters, solving the problem of industrial greenhouse gas emissions. It enables low-cost, retrofit-friendly carbon capture for storage or reuse, helping industries meet net-zero targets

Your inspiration

We were inspired by the urgent need to reduce industrial CO₂ emissions, a major contributor to climate change, rising temperatures, and poor air quality. Existing carbon capture systems are often expensive, energy-intensive, and difficult to retrofit. We wanted to develop a cost-effective, sustainable, and easily deployable solution. Our idea came from carbonic anhydrase in nature, an enzyme that rapidly processes CO₂ in living organisms. This led to our design of enzyme-coated filters that capture CO₂ directly from factory exhaust, promoting cleaner air, circular carbon use, and climate action.

How it works

Carbon Loop captures CO₂ from factory exhaust by passing the gases through a pipe containing enzyme-coated filters. The enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, interacts with the CO₂, helping it dissolve into water and form bicarbonate. When the filters become saturated, an external heating coil is activated, raising the pipe's temperature to about 50°C (122°F). This heat causes the bicarbonate to break down, releasing pure CO₂ gas. The captured CO₂ is then ready for industrial use or other applications. The system is designed to be easily integrated into existing factory exhaust lines, providing a cost-effective, retrofit-friendly solution that requires minimal modifications. This process ensures that CO₂ emissions are reduced while also offering the potential to recycle and reuse captured CO₂, supporting the factory's sustainability goals and contributing to a cleaner environment

Design process

The Carbon Loop design process began with identifying the need for a simple, cost-effective way to capture CO₂ emissions in industrial settings. We researched existing carbon capture technologies and their limitations, focusing on retrofit-friendly systems that wouldn’t need major changes to factory infrastructure. The initial concept used enzyme-coated filters to mimic carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that efficiently absorbs CO₂. After testing different materials, we chose a fabric that could hold the enzyme while staying durable in industrial environments. Our first prototype captured CO₂ from exhaust gases in a small-scale lab setup. It featured enzyme-coated cloth inside a pipe with a heating coil for CO₂ regeneration. Tests showed high capture efficiency but revealed the need for better energy use. We refined the heating mechanism to use lower temperatures (~50 °C) for improved efficiency and added a self-regulating valve to control flow and avoid over-saturation. The latest version is optimized for scalability and industrial use, with better filter durability, faster CO₂ regeneration, and reduced costs. We're now preparing for pilot testing with partner factories to enable widespread adoption.

How it is different

In contrast to technologies like DAC, Aeroponics, Chemical Looping, and Amine Scrubbing, Carbon Loop offers a financially viable option with lower initial costs. Unlike amine scrubbing, which needs high energy for regeneration, it uses enzyme-coated filters with carbonic anhydrase to capture CO₂ at ~50 °C, saving energy and avoiding hazardous chemicals. Its retrofit-friendly, modular design allows easy integration with existing exhaust systems without major modifications. With 82% efficiency for two-layer filters and 52% for single-layer, it ensures reliable, effective capture. A self-regulating valve automatically stops air intake when the CO₂ storage cylinder is full, enhancing safety, automation, and practicality. Companies can save significantly on daily costs, especially in sectors like welding where buying CO₂ cylinders can be replaced with on-site capture. Carbon Loop supports cleaner air, reduced emissions and scalable sustainable path to net-zero goals

Future plans

The next steps for Carbon Loop involve refining the technology through pilot testing in industrial environments to optimize performance. We plan to expand partnerships with manufacturers to integrate our system into existing exhaust lines, offering an affordable, retrofit-friendly solution. Our goal is to secure funding for scaling production and explore commercialization options. In the long term, we aim to be a leading force in the CO₂ capture market, helping industries reduce emissions, achieve net-zero goals, and comply with global environmental standards, ultimately contributing to a sustainable future.

Awards

Carbon Loop has been nominated for the 2025 Prototypes for Humanity international competition, recognizing its potential impact in reducing industrial CO₂ emissions and contributing to a sustainable future.