Carbon dioxide, commonly written as CO2, is a colorless, odorless gas that is a natural byproduct of animal respiration and organic decay. It is also produced through human activities such as deforestation, industrial processes involving the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil. Atmospheric CO2 levels have increased by about 47% since the Industrial Revolution began in 1750 from 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 410 ppm today according to NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory which is considered a baseline for measuring atmospheric CO2 levels. This rapid increase in CO2 concentration poses risks to the environment and human health through global warming and climate change.Carbon Dioxide Utilization TechnologiesTo mitigate the rise of atmospheric CO2, researchers are exploring various carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) technologies that can trap CO2 emissions from large stationary sources like power plants, cement plants, refineries and convert the captured CO2 into valuable products and services. Some promising CCU technologies include:- Mineral Carbonation: This process involves reacting CO2 with alkaline minerals like magnesium, calcium to form stable carbonate compounds. The CO2 is permanently sequestered in the form of raw materials for construction materials like cement, concrete.- Algae Cultivation: Certain microalgae species have the natural ability to photosynthesize and absorb CO2 from flue gases to grow rapidly. The harvested algae can then be used to produce biofuels, animal feeds, and nutraceuticals. Algae farms can sequester millions of tons of CO2 annually.- Enhanced Oil Recovery: Carbon Dioxide Utilization injection into depleted oil reservoirs helps extraction of residual oil trapped underground. The CO2 dissolves and reduces oil viscosity, allowing more oil to flow out of the reservoir. It also helps sequester the injected CO2 safely underground. Over 60 million tons of CO2 are utilized in the US for EOR each year.- Synthetic Liquid Fuels: Using renewable sources of hydrogen and captured CO2, synthetic methanol and gasoline can be produced. These e-fuels have the potential to directly replace conventional liquid fuels, helping decarbonize the transportation sector.- Construction Materials: CO2 can react with steelmaking slag and fly ash, waste products from coal plants, to form aggregates and construction blocks as a substitute for cement, concrete and other building materials.Pilot Projects Demonstrating Carbon Dioxide UtilizationWith growing interest and funding, several CCU pilot projects across the world have demonstrated technical and economic viability of some CO2 utilization pathways on an industrial scale. Some notable examples are:- Oceans+ Project by Anthropic: Since 2020, this pilot plant in Hampton Creek, California has utilized over 70 tons of CO2 from a neighboring cement plant by mineralizing it into aggregates within basaltic rock. The aim is to scale this to sequester 500,000 tons annually.- ACTL Project by JGC Holdings: Since 2018, their pilot plant in Fukushima, Japan has captured over 4,000 tons of CO2 from a hydrogen plant flue gas, transporting it over 200km to utilize for enhanced oil recovery and mineralization in concrete products.- H2erm Project by Hysata: Since 2019 in Texas, USA, this pilot utilizes 60 tons of captured CO2 per day along with renewable hydrogen to synthesize methanol fuel. Over 50,000 gallons of carbon-negative methanol have been produced so far.- ALGAU Project by Climeworks: In collaboration with Swiss company Climeworks, this Icelandic pilot plant has been direct air capturing over 900 tons of CO2 annually since 2017 for cultivation of microalgae Spirulina. The algae biomass is converted to protein powder.Such pilot projects aim to scale-up CCU technologies, reduce costs, and commercially demonstrate pathways to building multi-billion dollar carbon utilization industries and markets in the coming decades. With policy support, CCU technologies could help abate 1Gt or more of global CO2 emissions annually by 2030, according to the IEA.Potential Challenges and Future OutlookFor large-scale adoption of CCU technologies worldwide however, challenges around availability of low-cost renewable energy, efficient CO2 capture technologies, supply chain logistics need to be addressed. Public acceptance of unproven technologies like mineralization and perception of CCU enabling continued fossil fuel use are barriers. High capital costs, long investment times also deter private sector investment.Going forward, global collaboration will be key in openly sharing learning from pilots, standardizing performance metrics to establish techno-economic viability. Blended business models pairing CCU with carbon removal or bio-replacement fuel production could boost revenues. Multi-sector partnerships between government, private industry and research institutions will speed up innovation. With concerted global efforts, carbon dioxide utilization holds real promise to transition to low-carbon economies sustainably and profitably in the coming decades while also reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
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Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)
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