How Direct Air Capture Works and Its Potential to Reduce Carbon Emissions
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a promising technology that aims to tackle climate change by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere. By removing excess CO2 and potentially storing it underground or utilizing it in various applications, DAC can play a significant role in reducing global carbon emissions. In this article, we will explore the workings of DAC, its potential to mitigate climate change, and provide an overview of key players in the industry, accompanied by infographics, statistics, and videos.
Direct Air Capture Process:
- Air intake: Large fans draw in ambient air, which contains CO2, along with other gases.
- CO2 capture: The air is passed through a filter or solution containing a CO2-absorbing substance, such as an amine or a hydroxide. This substance selectively binds with CO2 molecules, separating them from the air.
- CO2 release and storage: The CO2-absorbing substance is then heated or treated to release the captured CO2, which can be compressed and stored underground, used in industrial applications, or transformed into valuable products like synthetic fuels, plastics, and building materials.
Statistics:
- According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), DAC has the potential to remove up to 10 gigatons of CO2 per year by 2050 (1).
- Current estimates suggest that the cost of capturing CO2 using DAC ranges between $100 and $600 per ton of CO2 removed, but ongoing research and development could bring costs down to as low as $50 per ton (2).
- There are currently around 20 DAC projects operating globally, with a combined capacity to capture over 9,000 tons of CO2 per year (3).
Key Companies and Videos:
1. Climeworks: A Swiss company specializing in DAC technology, Climeworks has built several commercial-scale facilities, including the world’s first commercial DAC plant in Hinwil, Switzerland. They also recently opened the Orca facility in Iceland, which has a capacity to capture 4,000 tons of CO2 per year (4). Watch their video on the Orca facility here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6XuBP6V0w8
2. Carbon Engineering: A Canadian company founded by renowned climate scientist David Keith, Carbon Engineering is developing an air-to-fuels technology that captures CO2 from the atmosphere and converts it into synthetic fuels (5). Check out their video on the DAC process and its potential applications here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63S0t4k_Glw
Critical Mass: Driving Decarbonization through Direct Air Capture Integration
We are dedicated to building affordable and accessible software solutions for a more sustainable future. By integrating current DAC technology and providers with other decarbonization industries, Critical Mass aims to develop a platform that facilitates and incentivizes the adoption of DAC solutions.
The more decarbonization occurs, the more credits will be generated within the Critical Mass platform, motivating companies to adopt sustainable practices and technologies. By focusing on the integration and promotion of DAC technology, Critical Mass Pte. Ltd. is taking a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of global warming and the urgent need for decarbonization.
Reaching a Critical Mass to Balance Carbon Emissions
To effectively combat global warming and balance carbon emissions, it is essential to reach a critical mass of climate mitigation efforts. This can be achieved through a combination of global cooperation, rapid decarbonization, carbon removal and sequestration, behavioural and societal changes, and significant investment and innovation.
We play a vital role in reaching this critical mass by promoting the adoption of DAC technology. By actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, DAC can contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving global net-zero targets. To do this, governments, industries, and individuals must work together to invest in research, development, and deployment of DAC technology and other innovative solutions.
Conclusion:
The urgent need for global decarbonization and sustainable development requires innovative approaches and technologies like Direct Air Capture. Critical Mass is at the forefront of driving decarbonization efforts by integrating DAC technology and fostering its widespread adoption. Through their dedication to creating affordable and accessible software solutions, Critical Mass. is paving the way for a more sustainable future in the fight against global warming.
Sources:
IPCC. (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
Realmonte, G., Drouet, L., Gambhir, A., Glynn, J., Hawkes, A., Köberle, A. C., & Tavoni, M. (2019). An inter-model assessment of the role of direct air capture in deep mitigation pathways. Nature Communications, 10(1), 3277. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10842-5
Global CCS Institute. (2021). Global Status of CCS 2021: Deployment and Investment. Retrieved from https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/resources/global-status-report/
Climeworks. (n.d.). Our Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.climeworks.com/our-solutions
Carbon Engineering. (n.d.). Our Technology. Retrieved from https://carbonengineering.com/our-technology/
Global Thermostat. (n.d.). Our Process. Retrieved from https://globalthermostat.com/our
