Carbon capture or how to close the loop

Human history has developed through innovation and progress. It has undoubtedly improved the general welfare of its species, but it has also undermined the health of the Earth. Action is needed to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change from greenhouse gas emissions. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide must be removed globally each year by 2050. The scientific consensus, governments, and companies agree that cutting carbon emissions is essential, though some sectors and processes find this challenging. Does this mean we should abandon the goal of a decarbonized future? What if we could capture carbon dioxide?

While it should be seen as a complementary solution, there are already methods to trap carbon dioxide and prevent it from adding to the greenhouse effect. This is known as Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS). Carbon can be captured directly at the production source or from the atmosphere —a process called Carbon Direct Removal (CDR)— using natural or technological means. “CDR includes methods that remove carbon dioxide from the air using technical or biological processes for permanent storage,” says Harris Cohn of U.S.-based Charm Industrial.

Charm has become a leader in carbon capture, eliminating over 7,000 tons of carbon dioxide since its founding. Their innovative method uses plant waste, where carbon dioxide is absorbed by biomass via photosynthesis. This waste is converted into a carbon-rich substance called bio-oil, which is injected into depleted oil wells. This process mimics a cycle of synthetic oil production and storage, but with an emphasis on permanent carbon sequestration.

Harris Cohn (Charm Industrial):“CDR encompasses approaches that remove carbon dioxide already present in the air for permanent storage”

“By processing leftover biomass, such as fallen trees or forest residues, Charm helps reduce the fuel load in forests, thus preventing fires. Such actions create economic benefits for rural communities by offering farmers new opportunities to sell crop residues. Additionally, using by-products from this process enhances soil health by boosting its carbon and nutrient content,” explains Cohn. Together, these technologies can help mitigate climate change and promote resilience in local ecosystems.

Heirloom is another leading company that captures carbon dioxide from the air, specifically through technological atmospheric capture. Their innovation involves using limestone, an abundant and inexpensive mineral. “Limestone can be broken down into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide is removed from limestone by heat, the remaining calcium oxide hydrates with water to form lime. Lime eagerly absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting like a sponge, as it seeks to return to its natural state of limestone.” “The carbon dioxide extracted from the limestone is stored underground or in concrete. Heirloom’s technology reduces the time for limestone to absorb carbon dioxide from years to less than three days,” the company states.

The company claims that by 2035, a billion tons of carbon dioxide could be eliminated at a cost of less than $100 per ton. They believe Heirloom could play a significant role in achieving global carbon elimination targets.

Heirloom: “Our technology accelerates the natural property of limestone to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing the time it takes to absorb it from years
to less than three days”

A promising solution

Direct capture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is considered one of the most promising emerging technologies on the journey to net zero. The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), a non-profit organization focused on global energy decarbonization through research, industry collaboration, and policy development, has identified 32 different approaches to direct carbon capture. Additionally, they have created a roadmap to advance these technologies from their current state to achieve large-scale technical feasibility by 2050.

Even if only a fraction of these technologies are developed, the impact on combating climate change is expected to be significant. Rudy Kahsar of RMI said, “Carbon capture will be a crucial component from the midpoint of the coming century. To contain warming, accelerated decarbonization of industry and households, along with carbon sequestration, will be necessary. Currently, we are behind global targets. If climate events become more severe, the pressure for action will increase. Over the next fifty years, these changes will drive the implementation of numerous capture projects.”

Rudy Kahsar (RMI): “According to almost all climate models, direct carbon capture will be critical in limiting global warming”