Capture low cost atmospheric CO2 to produce fuel: it's possible

The sad fact is that procrastination and self-congratulation at the annual climate summits have not changed the massive emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, we are heading straight for the worst climate scenario and adaptation is now a necessity. However, a new technological process proves that it is now possible to capture the CO2 already present in the atmosphere to turn it into fuel, and this on a large scale.

It is the Carbon Engineering (CE) company specializing in "clean energy" that is at the origin of an innovative process and much less expensive than the other technologies deployed since the 1950s: CO2 can now be captured in the atmosphere for less than US $ 100 per tonne against US $ 600 so far.

The research, published in the journal Joule, was led by David Keith, a Harvard professor known for his interest in geoengineering; he is also the founder of Carbon Engineering.

The results are based on three years of research conducted in the EC pilot plant located in Squamish, British Columbia (Canada). According to its designers, this plant can, at full capacity, capture 1 million tons of Co2 per year, compared to the 19 billion tons of Co2 that accumulate each year in the atmosphere. In other words, it would take 19,000 plants like this to offset current CO2 emissions.

This technology of direct air capture (DAC) is not limited to capturing carbon dioxide, indeed, since December 2017, it can turn it into fuel (diesel and jet-A). How? At first, the atmospheric CO2 is purified, then electricity generated by solar panels is used to electrolyze the water and produce hydrogen. Finally, CO 2 and hydrogen are thermocatalytically reacted to produce synthesis gas and react again to produce hydrocarbons.

This process, called AIR TO FUELS ™, has a double interest: to eliminate the CO2 present in the atmosphere while generating a fuel. A good way to make the transport sector carbon neutral in a circular economy. "CE's vision is to reduce the effects of climate change by first reducing emissions and then reducing atmospheric CO2," says Steve Oldham, CEO of CE. "Our clean fuel is fully compatible with existing engines, so it provides the transportation industry with a solution that significantly reduces emissions, whether through blending or direct use. Our technology is scalable, flexible and proven. Today, we are actively seeking partners who will work with CE to dramatically reduce emissions in the transportation sector and help us move to a carbon-neutral economy. "

And if technology could finally end one of humanity's greatest challenges? Climate-skeptics are dreaming but the damage is already done: climate change has already begun for at least ten years and profound structural changes are already underway. This invention - if massively implemented - could, at most, limit global warming for distant generations.

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