New tech could lower price of CO2 capture
New tech could lower price of CO2 capture Futurity: Research News
sdgtalks
New Technology Lowers Cost of Carbon Dioxide Capture
A new study has revealed that a new technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of capturing carbon dioxide from various emissions sources. This breakthrough has important implications for industries seeking to comply with evolving greenhouse gas standards and for the emerging energy-transition economy.
Direct Carbon Dioxide Removal
According to a report published in the journal Nature, the new system can directly remove carbon dioxide from sources such as flue gas and the atmosphere. It achieves this through an electrochemical reaction that utilizes water and oxygen induced by electricity. This advancement could transform direct air capture, which is currently a niche industry with only 18 operational plants worldwide, into a promising solution for climate change mitigation.
Advantages over Traditional Methods
Most existing carbon-capture systems involve a two-step process that uses high-pH liquids to separate carbon dioxide from mixed-gas streams like flue gas. The carbon dioxide is then regenerated from the solution through heating or the injection of a low-pH liquid. However, the new technology developed by researchers at Rice University eliminates the need for these complex processes.
Haotian Wang, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, materials science and nanoengineering, and chemistry at Rice University, explains, “Once the carbon dioxide is trapped in these solvents, you have to regenerate it. Traditional methods require high temperatures, but with our process, we don’t need to heat up or pressurize our device. We just need to plug it into a power outlet.”
Scalable and Modular Design
Another advantage of the new technology is its scalability and adaptability. Unlike current carbon-capture technologies that rely on large-scale, centralized infrastructure, the system developed in the Wang lab is a modular, point-of-use concept. It can be easily scaled up for industrial settings like power plants and chemical plants, but it can also be used on a smaller scale, even in an office or greenhouse. There is even interest from space technology companies to use the device on space stations to remove carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts.
Efficiency and Environmental Impact
The reactor developed by the researchers can continuously remove carbon dioxide from a simulated flue gas with an efficiency above 98% using a relatively low electricity input. Lead author Peng Zhu, a chemical and biomolecular engineering graduate student, explains that the electricity used to power a 50-watt light bulb for an hour can yield 10 to 25 liters of high-purity carbon dioxide.
Furthermore, the process has little to no carbon footprint when powered by renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. This is particularly significant as renewable electricity becomes more cost-effective.
Scientific Discovery and Future Applications
The development of this technology was the result of continuous observation and curiosity. During previous studies, the researchers observed a phenomenon where gas bubbles flowed out of the reactor’s middle chamber along with the liquids. Through further investigation, they discovered that an alkaline interface generated during reduction reactions interacted with carbon dioxide molecules to form carbonate ions. These ions combined with protons from water oxidation, resulting in a continuous flow of high-purity carbon dioxide.
The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Robert A. Welch Foundation, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The article discusses a new technology that can lower the cost of capturing carbon dioxide from all types of emissions. This technology is relevant to SDG 7 as it contributes to affordable and clean energy by providing a potential solution for industries to adapt to evolving greenhouse gas standards. It is also connected to SDG 9 as it represents an innovative approach to carbon capture that can be scaled up for industrial use. Furthermore, it aligns with SDG 13 by addressing climate change mitigation through the direct removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
The article’s content suggests the following specific targets:
– SDG 7.2: The technology discussed in the article can contribute to increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by enabling the capture of carbon dioxide emissions from various sources, including power plants and chemical plants.
– SDG 9.4: The modular and scalable nature of the technology allows for its use in various scenarios, including small-scale applications. This aligns with the target of upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable.
– SDG 13.2: The technology directly addresses climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Its potential for large-scale use in industrial settings and small-scale use in offices or greenhouses demonstrates the integration of climate change measures into different contexts.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Efficiency of carbon dioxide removal: The article states that the reactor can continuously remove carbon dioxide from a simulated flue gas with an efficiency above 98% using a relatively low electricity input. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards SDG 7.2 and SDG 13.2.
– Electricity input and carbon dioxide yield: The article mentions that the electricity used to power a 50-watt light bulb for an hour will yield 10 to 25 liters of high-purity carbon dioxide. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards SDG 7.2 and assess the cost-effectiveness of the technology.
– Scalability and adaptability: The article highlights that the technology is scalable and can be used in various scenarios, including small-scale applications. This indicator can be used to measure progress towards SDG 9.4 and assess the feasibility of integrating the technology into different industries and infrastructures.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – Efficiency of carbon dioxide removal – Electricity input and carbon dioxide yield |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable | – Scalability and adaptability |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Efficiency of carbon dioxide removal – Scalability and adaptability |
The table summarizes the identified SDGs, targets, and indicators based on the analysis of the article. It provides a clear overview of how the technology discussed in the article aligns with specific sustainable development goals, targets, and indicators.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: futurity.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
