If there’s one resource we’re running low on in the fight against global warming, it’s time. So as countries prepare for the next climate summit focused on decarbonization goals, scientists and engineers are exploring more direct ways to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the near term. I am doing it. One such approach that is attracting attention is carbon sequestrationThis can speed up the process without displacing indirect strategies such as the use of renewable energy or tree planting.
This article discusses five major carbon sequestration technologies:
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
- Direct Air Capture (DAC)
- Bioenergy from Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
- calcification
- ocean carbon sequestration
1. Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
The core idea behind carbon capture and storage is to capture and store it. Before carbon is released from industrial facilities. This can be done in several ways, from post-combustion gas separation to oxy-combustion, which uses pure oxygen to produce nearly pure CO.2.
Once captured, carbon can be injected into geological formations deep underground or converted into feedstock for other industrial processes.
2. Direct Air Capture (DAC)
Direct Air Capture (DAC) offers more flexibility as large machines need to be placed almost everywhere. Captures CO by breathing in air2 Use liquid solvents or solid adsorbents Something that bonds with carbon. CO if captured2 Similar to the CCS method, it is released under pressure or heat and then stored or reused as raw material. Although this technology is currently expensive, it is expected to reduce costs in the future.
3. Bioenergy from carbon dioxide capture and storage (BECCS)
since plants absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide naturallyanother strategy could be: using biomass This is to capture carbon. Agricultural residues and plants with high carbon content can be converted into biofuels to produce heat and electricity, or directly combusted. During combustion, carbon capture techniques similar to those used in CCS are applied, including underground storage and conversion into raw materials. The result is a net reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
4. Calcification
Mineralization is one of the more recent carbon sequestration technologies and uses natural chemical reactions to produce CO.2 It becomes a solid and stable carbonate. This reaction typically occurs in minerals such as basalt and olivine. In industrial settings, this process is used to produce calcium carbonate, which is added to cement to produce carbon negative concrete.
5. Ocean carbon sequestration
Large amounts of natural carbon dioxide can occur in the ocean2 Isolation. In fact, the ocean is one of the largest on Earth, along with forests and farmland. carbon sink, Absorbs a quarter of the world’s emissions. Some researchers have proposed artificially enhancing this ability. There are two approaches:
- Increase in ocean alkalinity By adding powdered limestone that reacts with CO2 Forms bicarbonate in water.
- marine fertilizerwhich involves adding nutrients such as iron to stimulate phytoplankton growth. Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that absorb carbon dioxide2 by photosynthesis.
Currently, these methods are impractical for large-scale use due to their high costs and potential environmental risks. However, other approaches are also available CO reduction2 Emissions from industrial processes.
One example is the use of industrial slag to reduce the amount of CO.2 Necessary for producing concrete. For example, ACCIONA’s green concrete is used in the Port of Cadiz. 27% reduction in emissions.
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