University of Cincinnati develops innovative carbon capture system
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created a novel system for extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, enhancing energy efficiency and demonstrating long-term operational viability.
In a significant advancement in the field of carbon capture technology, researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a novel system capable of extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. This approach diverges from traditional carbon capture methods, which primarily focus on removing greenhouse gases at their sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities.
Professor Joo-Youp Lee from UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science highlighted the challenges associated with capturing atmospheric carbon, noting the low concentrations of carbon dioxide present in the air. He remarked, “The concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are so low. It would be like trying to remove a handful of red ping-pong balls from a football stadium full of white ones.” His research team has developed a direct air capture system that operates effectively at approximately 420 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the air.
The system employs a method that utilises hot water for the carbon dioxide separation process, in contrast to conventional systems that rely on electricity or steam. This innovation not only enhances energy efficiency but also demonstrates the potential for the technology to endure thousands of operational cycles without degradation. Professor Lee's team has successfully repeated the carbon capture process over 2,000 times, showing no notable decrease in efficiency, with aspirations to achieve up to 10,000 cycles.
To validate their system, Lee and his students constructed a benchtop model roughly equivalent in length to a pool noodle. The model involves drawing outside air through a custom-manufactured canister featuring a specially designed honeycomb block coated with adsorbent material aimed at capturing carbon dioxide. When the outlet readings indicate an increase in carbon dioxide concentration, the team initiates a heating process with a vacuum pump to extract the previously captured carbon dioxide and restart the cycle.
Further advancements have been made by scaling the project within the university's high-bay engineering labs, where conditions such as temperature and humidity can be meticulously controlled. A larger, person-sized canister has been constructed for more extensive experiments, employing honeycomb structures comparable in size to a loaf of bread. Soumitra Payra, a postdoctoral fellow involved in the project, noted, “I think it’s a great project. We’re doing some real applications that can help the environment.”
The team is optimistic about securing additional support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the continued development of their technology. Professor Lee expressed, “Our technology has proven to reduce the heat required for the desorption by 50%. That’s a really big improvement. By using half of the energy, we can separate out carbon dioxide more efficiently. And we can make the cycle longer and longer.” With global electricity demand projected to rise sharply in the coming years, the implementation of such systems may play a critical role in tackling the challenges posed by climate change.
This research initiative is receiving support from the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory, underscoring its potential significance in the domain of carbon removal and mitigation strategies.
Source: Noah Wire Services