CO₂-removal News

Singh & De (2024): Carbon Dioxide Removal by Chemically and Thermally Reduced Graphene-Based Adsorbents

Sohan Bir Singh, Mahuya De IN: Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering 41, 783-796, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-024-00111-7

In this study, few layers (7–9) graphene adsorbents, prepared by chemical and thermal reduction techniques, were investigated for CO2 adsorption. The study showed the effect of graphene structures on CO2 removal at three different temperatures (0, 25, and 50 °C) and in pressure range of 0–5 bar. 

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Report: Report on a sustainable development goals framework for ocean-based NET evaluation

David P. Keller and Wilfried Rickels, GEOMAR, January 2024

This report describes a CDR SDG assessment framework that was developed for future use in evaluating the sustainability of different ocean-based CDR options or portfolios. The assessment methodology describes how the user should first collect relevant information about the CDR approach(es) and then match it to the corresponding SDG indicators or sub-indicators. After that the user must transform (normalize) the derived indicator data for comparability. Then, the user must follow several steps of weighting, aggregation, and evaluation that follow an SDG structured nesting approach. In the end the methodology allows the user to quantify CDR impacts on progress towards attaining overall “sustainability”. No application of the framework was done as part of this task, but should be done in future research endeavors.

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Troell et al. (2024): Seaweeds for carbon dioxide removal (CDR)–Getting the science right

Max Troell, Catriona Hurd, Thierry Chopin, Barry A. Costa-Pierce, Mark J. Costello IN: PLOS Climate 3 (3), e0000377, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000377

To keep global warming < 2°C, Almaraz et al. (2023) highlight the need to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food production and remove atmospheric carbon dioxide by 2050. They provided an expert analysis of the potential of terrestrial based biological methods of CDR. However, scientific rigour was not applied to their brief consideration of marine CDR strategies, specifically ocean afforestation which is the deliberate expansion of seaweed (macroalgal) aquaculture into the open ocean where they do not naturally grow, and the cultivated biomass sunk to the deep ocean for CDR. Ocean afforestation is subject of intense debate and peer-reviewed literature questioning its application for CDR were available before Almaraz et al. submission. Here we highlight some key points missed by Almaraz et al. to be considered prior to investments in large scale OAf.

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Cheng et al. (2024): A bioenergy-focused versus a reforestation-focused mitigation pathway yields disparate carbon storage and climate responses

Yanyan Cheng, David M. Lawrence, Ming Pan, Baoqing Zhang, Neal T. Graham, Peter J. Lawrence, Zhongfang Liu, Xiaogang He IN: PNAS 121 (7), e2306775121, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2306775121

This study evaluates the biogeochemical and biogeophysical implications of two alternative land-based mitigation scenarios that aim to achieve the same radiative forcing. One scenario is primarily driven by bioenergy expansion (SSP226Lu-BIOCROP), while the other involves re/afforestation (SSP126Lu-REFOREST). The findings highlight the need for strategic land use planning to identify suitable regions for re/afforestation and bioenergy expansion, thereby improving the likelihood of achieving the intended climate mitigation outcomes.

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Wang et al. (2024): Reviewing direct air capture startups and emerging technologies

Eryu Wang, Rahul Navik, Yihe Mia, Qi Gao, David Izikowitz, Lei Chen, Jia Li IN: Cell Reports Physical Science 5 (2), 101791, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2024.101791

To facilitate market-based DAC research, this review compiles information on over 50 DAC startups and their potential partners, revealing a diverse prospective market. By synthesizing existing studies and identifying the opportunities and challenges faced by different DAC startups, potential research is identified to enrich the DAC business ecosystem. This review aims to facilitate collaborations among science, engineering, and innovation management for worldwide deployments of DAC.

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Nature – Baum et al. (2024): Public perceptions and support of climate intervention technologies across the Global North and Global South

Chad M. Baum, Livia Fritz, Sean Low, Benjamin K. Sovacool IN: Nature Communications 15, 2060, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46341-5

Novel, potentially radical climate intervention technologies like carbon dioxide removal and solar geoengineering are attracting attention as the adverse impacts of climate change are increasingly felt. The ability of publics, particularly in the Global South, to participate in discussions about research, policy, and deployment is restricted amidst a lack of familiarity and engagement. Drawing on a large-scale, cross-country exercise of nationally representative surveys in 30 countries and 19 languages, this article establishes the first global baseline of public perceptions of climate-intervention technologies. 

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Li et al. (2024): Critical review on mobile direct air capture: Concept expansion, characteristic description, and performance evaluation

Shuangjun Li, Yifang Feng, Yuhan Li, Shuai Deng, Xiangkun Elvis Cao, Ki Bong Lee, Junyao Wang IN: Matter 7 (3), 889-933, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2024.01.003

This review introduces the innovative concept of mobile DAC, expanding DAC’s scope and addressing development challenges. The research methodology within the context of mobile DAC’s application scenario is investigated. Specifically, the research focuses on mobile DAC integrated into vehicles, encompassing various aspects such as materials, reactors, and system-scale research approaches. 

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Wang et al. (2024): Wollastonite powder application increases rice yield and CO2 sequestration in a paddy field in Northeast China

Fangna Wang, Feifei Zhu, Deze Liu, Yuying Qu, Dong Liu, Jin Xie, Ang Wang, Ronghua Kang, Zhi Quan, Yinghua Li, Xin Chen, Guochen Li, Erik A. Hobbie, Yunting Fang IN: Plant and Soil,  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06570-5

Enhanced silicate rock weathering (ERW) on cropland soils can increase crop yield and promote carbon dioxide sequestration. Applying silicate rock powder to flooded rice paddies can promote weathering, but the effects of ERW on rice production and CO2 removal rates in the field remain unclear. The authors investigated the effects of adding wollastonite (CaSiO3) powder (5 t ha−1) to rice paddy plots on soil properties, rice yield, rice grain quality, grain arsenic, grain cadmium, and soil CO2 sequestration in Liaoning Province, Northeast China.

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Bouaboula et al. (2024): Comparative review of Direct air capture technologies: From technical, commercial, economic, and environmental aspects

Houssam Bouaboula, Jamal Chaouki, Youssef Belmabkhout, Abdelghafour Zaabout IN: Chemical Engineering Journal 484, 149411, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.149411

Direct air capture is set to play a crucial role in meeting climate change targets as most recent climate scenarios rely on its large-scale implementation. Nevertheless, despite this widespread consensus, DAC performance and impact have not been sufficiently investigated, which has resulted in hindering its wide-scale deployment for climate change mitigation initiatives. Here, we present a comparative review of different DAC technologies and examine their performance from a holistic perspective by considering different aspects, from technical, commercial, and economic to environmental.

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Nokpho et al. (2024): Evaluating regeneration performance of amine functionalized solid sorbents for direct air CO2 capture using microwave

Pacharapol Nokpho, Paka-on Amornsin, Petpitcha Boonmatoon, Xiaolin Wang, Benjapon Chalermsinsuwan IN: Materials Today Sustainability 26, 100728, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100728

CO2 capture by liquid amine has many drawbacks. These processes require significant energy to regenerate the solvents, releasing the captured CO2 for storage or utilization, which leads to increased operational costs and can diminish the overall efficiency of carbon capture systems. Recent research explores new promising techniques by CO2 capture using highly efficient solid sorbents. This study then focuses on enhancing a porous alumina material with potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and monoethanolamine to optimize CO2 capture capacity and regeneration performance. 

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