Prospects of Sunlight Driven Air-to-Methanol Synthesis via CO2 Electrolysis

The race to save planet earth has led to significant advancement in technologies for harvesting renewable energy, carbon capture and conversion. Futures scenarios are being envisioned where CO2 is captured from air and converted to valuable fuels and chemicals, with methanol (MeOH) being the most coveted product. Here we assess two potential air-to-MeOH pathways that harvest solar power via concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells for direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 and subsequent conversion to MeOH by exploiting CO2 electrolysis. Specifically, we perform techno-economic and life-cycle analysis on single-step (direct CO2-to-MeOH electrolysis) and three-step (integration of H2O electrolysis, CO2-to-CO electrolysis, and hydrogenation reactor) air-to-MeOH routes. Our results indicate that in current scenario, the envisioned air-to-MeOH routes are not economically and environmentally compelling with high levelized costs of MeOH ~1180–1730 $/tonMeOH and CO2 emissions of ~2.29–2.69 /tonMeOH. Using sensitivity analysis, we reveal targets for CPV capital cost ($290/kW), DAC capital cost ($375/(ton-CO2/year)), and electricity emission intensity (<275 kg-CO2/MWh) which will make the three-step route commercially and environmentally viable as a near-term technology. In contrast, direct CO2-to-MeOH electrolysis will need drastic performance improvement to be economically competitive, with required current densities >300 mA/cm2, energy efficiency >45% and stack stability >2 years. We hope this study will garner the key stakeholders to advance discussions about the cost and potential of this envisioned air-to-fuel technology.

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Carbon Dioxide Capture from Air: A Simple Analysis

Energy & Environment ◽

10.1260/0958-305x.23.2-3.319 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 23 (2-3) ◽

pp. 319-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Stefano Brandani

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Power Plants ◽

Energy Requirement ◽

Fixed Cost ◽

Direct Capture ◽

Air Capture ◽

Mitigate Climate Change ◽

The Cost

A simplified analysis is presented in order to compare direct capture of carbon dioxide from air, i.e. air capture, and capture from fossil fuelled power plants. For air capture the literature shows conflicting data on the estimates of the costs of the technology, which range from 30 US$/t CO2 to $1000 US$/t CO2. This clearly creates uncertainty especially for those who have to implement long term policies to mitigate climate change. The aim of this contribution is not to assign a fixed cost to air capture, but to show that it is possible to make a common sense estimate of the ratios of cost and energy requirement of air capture compared to carbon capture from power plants. These ratios are at least 10 times for the cost and 3 to 4 times for the energy needed to produce a high purity carbon dioxide stream at atmospheric pressure.

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Post-Combustion Capture or Direct Air Capture in Decarbonizing US Natural Gas Power?

10.26434/chemrxiv.11678013.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Habib Azarabadi ◽

Klaus S. Lackner

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Gas Turbines ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Learning By Doing ◽

Combined Cycle ◽

Direct Air Capture ◽

Natural Gas Combined Cycle ◽

Air Capture ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact

This analysis investigates the cost of carbon capture from the US natural gas-fired electricity generating fleet comparing two technologies: Post-Combustion Capture and Direct Air Capture (DAC). Many Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) units are suitable for post-combustion capture. We estimated the cost of post-combustion retrofits and investigated the most important unit characteristics contributing to this cost. Units larger than 350 MW, younger than 15 years, more efficient than 42% and with a utilization (capacity factor) higher than 0.5 are economically retrofittable. Counterintuitively, DAC (which is usually not considered for point-source capture) may be cheaper in addressing emissions from non-retrofittable NGCCs. DAC can also address the residual emissions from retrofitted plants. Moreover, economic challenges of post-combustion capture for small natural gas-fired units with low utilization, such as gas turbines, make DAC look favorable for these units. Considering the cost of post-combustion capture for the entire natural gas-related emissions after incorporating the impact of learning-by-doing for both carbon capture technologies, DAC is the cheaper capture solution for at least 1/3 of all emissions.

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Post-Combustion Capture or Direct Air Capture in Decarbonizing US Natural Gas Power?

10.26434/chemrxiv.11678013 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Habib Azarabadi ◽

Klaus S. Lackner

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Gas Turbines ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Learning By Doing ◽

Combined Cycle ◽

Direct Air Capture ◽

Natural Gas Combined Cycle ◽

Air Capture ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact

This analysis investigates the cost of carbon capture from the US natural gas-fired electricity generating fleet comparing two technologies: Post-Combustion Capture and Direct Air Capture (DAC). Many Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) units are suitable for post-combustion capture. We estimated the cost of post-combustion retrofits and investigated the most important unit characteristics contributing to this cost. Units larger than 350 MW, younger than 15 years, more efficient than 42% and with a utilization (capacity factor) higher than 0.5 are economically retrofittable. Counterintuitively, DAC (which is usually not considered for point-source capture) may be cheaper in addressing emissions from non-retrofittable NGCCs. DAC can also address the residual emissions from retrofitted plants. Moreover, economic challenges of post-combustion capture for small natural gas-fired units with low utilization, such as gas turbines, make DAC look favorable for these units. Considering the cost of post-combustion capture for the entire natural gas-related emissions after incorporating the impact of learning-by-doing for both carbon capture technologies, DAC is the cheaper capture solution for at least 1/3 of all emissions.

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Post-Combustion Capture or Direct Air Capture in Decarbonizing US Natural Gas Power?

10.26434/chemrxiv.11678013.v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Habib Azarabadi ◽

Klaus S. Lackner

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Gas Turbines ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Learning By Doing ◽

Combined Cycle ◽

Direct Air Capture ◽

Natural Gas Combined Cycle ◽

Air Capture ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact

This analysis investigates the cost of carbon capture from the US natural gas-fired electricity generating fleet comparing two technologies: Post-Combustion Capture and Direct Air Capture (DAC). Many Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) units are suitable for post-combustion capture. We estimated the cost of post-combustion retrofits and investigated the most important unit characteristics contributing to this cost. Units larger than 350 MW, younger than 15 years, more efficient than 42% and with a utilization (capacity factor) higher than 0.5 are economically retrofittable. Counterintuitively, DAC (which is usually not considered for point-source capture) may be cheaper in addressing emissions from non-retrofittable NGCCs. DAC can also address the residual emissions from retrofitted plants. Moreover, economic challenges of post-combustion capture for small natural gas-fired units with low utilization, such as gas turbines, make DAC look favorable for these units. Considering the cost of post-combustion capture for the entire natural gas-related emissions after incorporating the impact of learning-by-doing for both carbon capture technologies, DAC is the cheaper capture solution for at least 1/3 of all emissions.

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Mid-century emission pathways in Japan associated with the global 2 °C goal: national and global models’ assessments based on carbon budgets

Climatic Change ◽

10.1007/s10584-019-02490-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 162 (4) ◽

pp. 1913-1927 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ken Oshiro ◽

Keii Gi ◽

Shinichiro Fujimori ◽

Heleen L. van Soest ◽

Christoph Bertram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Capture ◽

Large Scale ◽

Carbon Capture And Storage ◽

Primary Energy ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Carbon Budgets ◽

Global Models ◽

Near Term ◽

The Cost ◽

Low Carbon Energy

Abstract This study assesses Japan’s mid-century low-emission pathways using both national and global integrated assessment models in the common mitigation scenario framework, based on the carbon budgets corresponding to the global 2 °C goal. We examine high and low budgets, equal to global cumulative 1600 and 1000 Gt-CO2 (2011–2100) for global models, and 36 and 31 Gt-CO2 (2011–2050) in Japan for national models, based on the cost-effectiveness allocation performed by the global models. The impacts of near-term policy assumption, including the implementation and enhancement of the 2030 target of the nationally determined contribution (NDC), are also considered. Our estimates show that the low budget scenarios require a 75% reduction of CO2 emissions by 2050 below the 2010 level, which is nearly the same as Japan’s governmental 2050 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. With regard to near-term actions, Japan’s 2030 target included in the NDC is on track to meet the high budget scenario, whereas it is falling short for the low budget scenario, which would require emission reductions immediately after 2020. Whereas models differ in the type of energy source on which they foresee Japan basing its decarbonization process (e.g., nuclear- or variable renewable energy-dependent), the large-scale deployment of low-carbon energy (nuclear, renewable, and carbon capture and storage) is shared across most models in both the high and low budget scenarios. By 2050, low-carbon energy represents 44–54% of primary energy and 86–97% of electricity supply in the high and low budget scenarios, respectively.

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Investigation of latest techniques in carbon sequestration with emphasis on geological sequestration and its effects

MOJ Ecology & Environmental Sciences ◽

10.15406/mojes.2019.04.00126 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jagadeesh Anmala ◽

Boindala Sriman Pankaj

Keyword(s):

Carbon Sequestration ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Carbon Capture And Storage ◽

Geological Sequestration ◽

Current Scenario ◽

Available Carbon ◽

Capture Techniques ◽

The Cost ◽

And Storage

In the pursuit of development, man has polluted and exploited many resources provided by mother nature. In these pollutions, CO2 pollution has become the most concerning contemporary and sought after problem in the current scenario. Observations indicate that the Carbon concentration levels have exceeded beyond the threshold limits. Among the solutions available currently, Carbon-Capture and Storage (CCS) or Carbon Sequestration (CS) is the best solution considering the cost and efficiency of carbon removal from the atmosphere. In the available Carbon sequestration methods, a geological sequestration is a viable option for long-term sustainable storage of CO2. This article focusses on latest technologies developed with respect to Geological Sequestration and also on the carbon capture techniques, site selection for Geological sequestration, transport as well as uncertainties and difficulties in the modeling of the involved process. The main objective is to stress the need for these techniques and motivate fellow researchers in this essential and emerging field.

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Review of Cryogenic Carbon Capture Innovations and Their Potential Applications

C – Journal of Carbon Research ◽

10.3390/c7030058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 58

Author(s):

Carolina Font-Palma ◽

David Cann ◽

Chinonyelum Udemu

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Large Scale ◽

Carbon Capture And Storage ◽

Technological Readiness ◽

Cryogenic Carbon Capture ◽

Potential Applications ◽

Air Capture ◽

Reduce Carbon Dioxide ◽

Co2 Recovery

Our ever-increasing interest in economic growth is leading the way to the decline of natural resources, the detriment of air quality, and is fostering climate change. One potential solution to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from industrial emitters is the exploitation of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Among the various CO2 separation technologies, cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) could emerge by offering high CO2 recovery rates and purity levels. This review covers the different CCC methods that are being developed, their benefits, and the current challenges deterring their commercialisation. It also offers an appraisal for selected feasible small- and large-scale CCC applications, including blue hydrogen production and direct air capture. This work considers their technological readiness for CCC deployment and acknowledges competing technologies and ends by providing some insights into future directions related to the R&D for CCC systems.

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Mineral carbonation process of carbon dioxide using animal bone

Science Progress ◽

10.1177/00368504211019644 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 104 (2) ◽

pp. 003685042110196

Author(s):

Brendon Mpofu ◽

Hembe E Mukaya ◽

Diakanua B Nkazi

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Carbon Capture And Storage ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Mineral Carbonation ◽

Agitation Rate ◽

Carbonation Reaction ◽

Carbonation Process ◽

The Cost ◽

Cow Bone

Carbon dioxide has been identified as one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Several carbon capture and storage technologies have been developed to mitigate the large quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, but these are quite expensive and not easy to implement. Thus, this research analyses the technical and economic feasibility of using calcium leached from cow bone to capture and store carbon dioxide through the mineral carbonation process. The capturing process of carbon dioxide was successful using the proposed technique of leaching calcium from cow shinbone (the tibia) in the presence of HCl by reacting the calcium solution with gaseous carbon dioxide. AAS and XRF analysis were used to determine the concentration of calcium in leached solutions and the composition of calcium in cow bone respectively. The best leaching conditions were found to be 4 mole/L HCl and leaching time of 6 h. Under these conditions, a leaching efficiency of 91% and a calcium conversion of 83% in the carbonation reaction were obtained. Other factors such as carbonation time, agitation rate, and carbonation reaction temperature had little effect on the yield. A preliminary cost analysis showed that the cost to capture 1 ton of CO2 with the proposed technique is about US$ 268.32, which is in the acceptable range of the capturing process. However, the cost of material used and electricity should be reviewed to reduce the preliminary production cost.

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The need for a Net Zero Principles Framework to support public policy at local, regional and national levels

Local Economy The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit ◽

10.1177/0269094220984742 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (7) ◽

pp. 627-634

Author(s):

Karen Turner ◽

Antonios Katris ◽

Julia Race

Keyword(s):

Public Policy ◽

Carbon Capture ◽

Carbon Capture And Storage ◽

Economic Returns ◽

Net Zero ◽

Local Areas ◽

Zero Carbon ◽

Near Term ◽

And Storage ◽

Do So

Many nations have committed to midcentury net zero carbon emissions targets in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. These require systemic transition in how people live and do business in different local areas and regions within nations. Indeed, in recognition of the climate challenge, many regional and city authorities have set their own net zero targets. What is missing is a grounded principles framework to support what will inevitably be a range of broader public policy actions, which must in turn consider pathways that are not only technically, but economically, socially and politically feasible. Here, we attempt to stimulate discussion on this issue. We do so by making an initial proposition around a set of generic questions that should challenge any decarbonisation action, using the example of carbon capture and storage to illustrate the importance and complexity of ensuring feasibility of actions in a political economy arena. We argue that this gives rise to five fundamental ‘Net Zero Principles’ around understanding of who really pays and gains, identifying pathways that deliver growing and equitable prosperity, some of which can deliver near-term economic returns, while avoiding outcomes that simply involve ‘off-shoring’ of emissions, jobs and gross domestic product.

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