LECTURE 10: Carbon (Dioxide) Utilization

Before You Watch

For this module, you will watch 5 webinars/videos on carbon utilization. As you watch, please keep in mind that this module discussion activity is different from the ones before. Here you will be asked to rank these carbon utilization techniques depending on their environmental sustainability. Feel free to research more information on this solutions beyond the resources provided here to make your assessment. Since the project teams are already working on topics of CO2-to-methane, CO2-to-marine fuels and CO2-to-carbon nanotubes (CNT). The webinars/videos where carefully selected so as to expand your breadth of knowledge in the area of carbon utilization: CO2-to-cement, CO2-to-biomethane, CO2-to-coal, CO2-to-plastic, and CO2-to-jet fuel.

Videos

CO2-to-Cement. In this webinar, speakers discuss the opportunity that carbon capture can bring to the sustainability of cement manufacture, and how governments can ensure an enabling framework to drive projects forward.

CO2-to-Biomethane. Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) is working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Electrochaea GmbH on a solution that reduces curtailment of renewable electricity, recycles carbon dioxide from our waste streams, and provides a long-duration energy storage solution using the existing natural gas network. Learn more about a new technology that uses naturally-occurring microorganisms to transform carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen into renewable natural gas. This process, known as Biomethanation, could aid in decarbonizing the natural gas grid.

CO2-to-Coal. This new technology developed by researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia offers a pathway for instantly converting carbon dioxide as it is produced and locking it permanently in a solid state, keeping CO2 out of the atmosphere. The video is only 1 min so you can supplement with their recently published communication paper: Direct conversion of CO2 to solid carbon by Ga-based liquid metals.pdf Download Direct conversion of CO2 to solid carbon by Ga-based liquid metals.pdf

CO2-to-Plastics. Econic Technologies in the UK is start-up betting for converting CO2 into plastics like polyols and polyurethanes. The applications are endless. You can find out more about this venture here: https://econic-technologies.com/ Links to an external site.

CO2-to-Jet Fuel. Various companies are working in turning carbon dioxide emissions into sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Carbon Engineering is a Canadian company that employs direct air capture (DAC) to source the CO2 needed in the air to fuels process. The video is only ~ 2 minutes, so you can supplement with this short paper: https://www.europhysicsnews.org/articles/epn/pdf/2019/05/epn2019505-6p29.pdf Links to an external site.

 

 

Key Takeaways

Check your understanding with these questions/statements:

  • Question 1. Besides  the power sector (like natural gas power), what other industries produce CO2?
  • Question 2. Your team project deals with the LCA of a carbon dioxide utilization. What are the key economic risks to making your utilization alternative work?
  • Question 3. After being introduced to carbon storage and carbon utilization, which technology do you think presents the most promise? why?
  • Question 4. Do you think we are ready, in terms of infrastructure (carbon hubs, pipelines, etc.), to deliver carbon management solutions? What types of investments are needed?