Carbon capture (both direct air capture and point capture)

Direct air capture (DAC) and point capture technologies are two promising methods for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. DAC involves using large fans to pull air through a filter that captures carbon dioxide, while point capture involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial facilities such as power plants and factories. These technologies have the potential to help mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the most innovative DAC technologies is being developed by Swiss company Climeworks. Their system uses large fans to draw air through a filter that is coated with a special material that captures carbon dioxide. The captured CO2 is then heated and released as a concentrated gas that can be stored or used in other applications. Climeworks has already installed several DAC plants around the world, and they are working to scale up their technology to capture even more carbon dioxide. (Climeworks)

Another innovative DAC technology is being developed by Canadian company Carbon Engineering. Their system uses a series of fans and filters to capture carbon dioxide from the air, which is then mixed with hydrogen to create synthetic fuels such as gasoline and diesel. This approach not only captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but also produces a carbon-neutral fuel that can be used in existing vehicles and infrastructure. Carbon Engineering is currently building a demonstration plant in Texas, and they are working with several partners to scale up their technology. (Carbon Engineering)

In addition to DAC, point capture technologies are also being developed to capture CO2 emissions from industrial facilities. One example is the Petra Nova project in Texas, which captures carbon dioxide emissions from a coal-fired power plant and stores them in a nearby oil field. The project has been successful in capturing more than 1 million tons of CO2 per year, and it demonstrates the potential for point capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (National Energy Technology Laboratory)

Overall, DAC and point capture technologies have the potential to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. While there are still many technical and economic challenges to be overcome, the progress being made in these fields is a cause for optimism.

Direct air capture can be used to calculate the green premium of a current emissions producing process that doesn't have any viable no or low emission alternative, such as making concrete.

Sources:

• Climeworks: "Direct Air Capture"
• Carbon Engineering: "Direct Air Capture"
• National Energy Technology Laboratory: "Petra Nova Carbon Capture Project"
• Gates, Bill. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster (pp. 94-95). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.