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Direct Air Capture of CO2 with chemicals is inefficient

The American Physical Society just published the results of a two-year long study called "Direct Air Capture of CO2 with Chemicals". 13 internationally known scientists from the USA, Europe and Switzerland analised the potential role of Direct Air Capture (DAC) as CO2 removal strategy. The Technology Assessment shows that DAC is not currently an economically viable approach to mitigating climate change. It costs about ten times less to capture the greenhouse gas directly from CO2 rich sources like coal-fired power plant.

Teaser: Direct Air Capture of CO2 with chemicals is inefficient
Image: CO2 capture directly from coal-fired power plant is more effective

DAC involves a system in which ambient air flows over a chemical sorbent that selectively removes the CO2. The CO2 is then released as a concentrated stream for disposal or reuse, while the sorbent is regenerated and the CO2-depleted air is returned to the atmosphere.

Categories

  • CO2 (carbon dioxide)