What is Direct Air Capture technology (DAC), and does DAC have any “real” business case?

As of Oct 2023, the average level of CO2 in Earth's atmosphere was?422.17 ppm,?significantly exceeding pre-industrial levels.?(Source:?NOAA). This unprecedented concentration underscores the urgency of mitigating CO2 emissions.

Rising CO2 levels are a code red for humanity.?We need to rapidly decarbonize our economies and adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. - Kevin Anderson, Professor of Energy and Climate Change

Organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC's Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C emphasize the need for negative emissions technologies like DAC to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. This groundbreaking technology offers a promising avenue to directly remove CO2 from the atmosphere, presenting a compelling solution to combat global warming.

In this article, we delve into the intricacies of DAC, its associated benefits, and challenges, as well as exploring its business cases.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue,?it's a business issue.?Companies that do not act on climate change will not be successful in the long term. - Paul Polman, Former CEO of Unilever

DAC technology presents intriguing possibilities for enhancing indoor agriculture, particularly in addressing the sector's carbon footprint and optimizing plant growth conditions. Here's how DAC can be utilized in indoor agriculture:

CO2 Enrichment: Indoor agricultural environments often require additional carbon dioxide (CO2) to promote plant growth and photosynthesis. DAC systems can supply air-captured CO2 directly to indoor growing spaces, ensuring optimal CO2 levels for improved plant development without relying on external sources or generating additional emissions.

Carbon-neutral Operations: By capturing CO2 from ambient air and supplying it to indoor agricultural facilities, DAC systems can help offset the carbon emissions associated with traditional farming practices such as burning fossil fuels. This can contribute to the overall sustainability of indoor agriculture operations, making them more environmentally friendly and reducing their carbon footprint, as well as contributing to the circular economy.

Closed-Loop Systems: DAC technology can be integrated into closed-loop indoor agricultural systems, where CO2 emissions from plant respiration are captured and recycled back into the growing environment. This closed-loop approach maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes external inputs, creating a more sustainable and self-sufficient growing system.

Definition: What is DAC?

Direct Air Capture, as the name suggests, involves the direct removal of carbon dioxide from ambient air. Unlike traditional carbon capture technologies that focus on capturing emissions from point sources like power plants, DAC systems target CO2 molecules present in the atmosphere, irrespective of their source. This distinguishes DAC as a versatile and proactive approach to addressing carbon emissions.

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Key Components of Direct Air Capture:

Air Capture Units (ACUs): These units consist of specialized materials, typically sorbents or absorbents, designed to selectively capture CO2 from the surrounding air. ACUs employ various mechanisms such as chemical adsorption or physical adsorption to effectively trap CO2 molecules.

Regeneration Processes: Once captured, the CO2 needs to be removed from the sorbent material. This step is crucial for regenerating the sorbent and releasing concentrated CO2 or CO2-enriched air for subsequent utilization or sequestration. The regeneration can be done using different methods, e.g. heat, low pressure, chemical processing or a combination of these.

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Benefits of Direct Air Capture:

Resource Utilization: Captured CO2 can be utilized in various industrial processes, contributing to the circular economy, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Carbon Neutrality: DAC offers a pathway to achieve carbon neutrality by actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere and offsetting emissions from various sources and industries.

Versatility: Unlike traditional carbon capture technologies, DAC is not limited to specific point sources, making it applicable in diverse settings and geographical locations.

Climate Resilience: DAC provides a proactive approach to climate change mitigation, offering a means to directly address atmospheric CO2 concentrations and their associated impacts.

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Challenges of Direct Air Capture:

Cost: Most of the existing DAC technologies are relatively expensive compared to traditional carbon capture methods, posing economic challenges for widespread deployment. However, tailored technologies especially designed for a specific business case such as indoor agriculture can also be cost-efficient.

Energy Requirements: DAC systems require significant energy inputs, primarily for the operation of air capture units and subsequent chemical processes. However, this energy demand can be optimized by using innovative approaches such as using waste heat.

Scale and Deployment: Scaling up DAC to achieve meaningful CO2 removal on a global scale remains a formidable challenge, requiring substantial investment in infrastructure and deployment strategies. However, compact and modular DAC systems can hit an economy of scale if designed for a specific business case.

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The climate crisis is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced.?We have the solutions,?but we need the political will to act. - Al Gore, Former US Vice President and climate activist

What are the alternative applications of DAC technology?

DAC technology can be employed to improve indoor air quality in various settings, offering benefits for human health, comfort, and environmental sustainability. Here's how DAC can be used for indoor air quality management:

Energy Efficiency: Integrating DAC systems with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems can improve energy efficiency in buildings by reducing the need for outside air ventilation to maintain indoor air quality. By capturing and recycling CO2 and other contaminants, DAC systems can help minimize the energy required for heating, cooling, and air exchange, leading to energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

CO2 Reduction: DAC systems can remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from indoor air, helping to maintain optimal CO2 levels for human comfort and productivity. High levels of CO2 can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and drowsiness, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor spaces. By capturing CO2 and maintaining appropriate levels, DAC contributes to a healthier indoor environment.

Smart Building Integration: DAC systems can be integrated into smart building management systems to monitor and control indoor air quality in real-time. By continuously monitoring CO2 levels, VOC concentrations, humidity, and other air quality parameters, DAC systems can automatically adjust ventilation rates and purification settings to maintain optimal indoor air quality conditions.

Let’s take an example: Stockholm city authority has led to the selection of a historic building to be repurposed as a nursing school. While the classroom itself is charming, it faces challenges with poor ventilation, leading to discomfort for the 45 students who gather there. With an occupancy of this size, CO2 levels quickly surpass 1300 PPM, causing headaches and difficulty concentrating. Traditional solutions like opening windows and cranking up the radiators only offer temporary relief, and the building's historical significance complicates the installation of standard ventilation systems.

To address these issues, a DAC unit equipped with air purifying filters has been installed. This innovative system effectively reduces CO2 levels in the room, ensuring that students can enjoy a healthier learning environment with CO2 levels consistently below 700 PPM. This solution not only improves the students' comfort and concentration but also eliminates the need for unsightly HVAC installations, preserving the building's historical aesthetics. It's a win-win-win situation for the students, property owner, and the building's heritage.

Conclusion

Direct Air Capture technology holds immense promise beyond its narrative of fighting against climate change by directly addressing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Modular, compact, and on-site DAC technologies play a pivotal role in the circular economy. Despite facing challenges such as energy requirements, cost, and scalability, ongoing advancements and innovations are driving progress in DAC research and development. With concerted efforts and continued investment, DAC has the potential to play a pivotal role in achieving climate resilience and a sustainable future for generations to come.

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