Credit: CC0 Public Domain
× close
Credit: CC0 Public Domain
In efforts to combat the devastating effects of global warming, we must accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions and quickly scale up strategies to remove carbon dioxide (CO2).2) from the atmosphere and oceans. Technologies for reducing carbon emissions are mature. Those that remove carbon from the environment do not, and require strong support from governments and the private sector.
Only 45 percent of carbon dioxide emissions remains in the atmosphere. The rest he absorbs through two cycles. 1) The biological carbon cycle stores CO.2 In plant matter and soil, 2) the aqueous carbon cycle absorbs CO;2 From the atmosphere to the ocean. Each of these cycles accounts for 25 and 30 percent of the CO emitted.2Each.
C.O.2 When dissolved in the ocean, it reacts to form chemicals that increase ocean acidity. The dissolution of minerals from rocks along the coastline acts to offset this acidity in a process called geological weathering, but the rate and amount of CO increases dramatically.2 In particular, emissions over the past 60 years have far exceeded the rate of geological weathering, increasing ocean acidity by 30%.
As oceans become more acidic, millions of marine species and entire ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, become less able to adapt.
We are overwhelming the Earth's natural rebalancing systems and harming ecosystems in the process. Recent research at McMaster University and the University of Toronto, supported by the Carbon to Sea Initiative, has attempted to address these challenges.
Future tasks
The good news is that it is possible to rebalance the ocean's pH using a process called ocean alkaline enrichment (OAE).Moreover, this rebalancing also promotes further CO2 generation.2 Absorbed from the atmosphere.By carefully and continuously restoring ocean alkalinity, ocean acidification, and excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.2 You can improve your concentration at the same time.
The most obvious approach is to add finely ground alkali minerals to the ocean to directly reduce water acidity. But the scale at which these processes need to be performed is surprising.
For example, we estimate that to meet IPCC emissions targets, approximately 8,000 Empire State Buildings' worth of alkaline material will need to be added to the ocean each year by mid-century. Obviously, this technique is not the only solution.
We believe that electrochemical approaches using decarbonized energy are one of the best ways to combat ocean acidification. Using a process called bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED), the acidity of seawater is directly removed without adding any other substances. The technology requires only seawater, electricity and a special membrane.
The inherent simplicity and modularity of BMED technology enables a flexible, scalable, and potentially cost-effective carbon removal method.
large scale construction
In 2015, we collaborated with a team of researchers from Palo Alto Research Center and X Development to build and test a small-scale BMED system. The system showed good performance and showed great potential when combined with existing facilities such as desalination plants.
We identified its major technical limitations, but between 2015 and 2017, carbon credits and incentives for climate change technologies were insufficient and the project was shelved. The economic and physical environment is currently changing.
On the economic front, both the tax credits provided by the US Inflation Control Act (IRA) and Canada's steadily increasing revenue-neutral carbon tax strengthen the economic viability of carbon reduction technologies. I am.
Additionally, recent extreme weather events over the past year, from devastating wildfires in Canada to the hottest month on record to the hottest ocean temperatures on record, have shocked people into the stark reality of climate change. We are driving demand for real solutions. BMED Technology is one of these solutions.
BMED technology is partially limited by the specialized membranes that are commercially available. Additionally, these membranes represent a significant portion of the capital cost (approximately 30%) and are susceptible to degradation and have a short lifetime.
Our research aims to develop scalable ultra-thin films for use in improved BMED processes, as well as efficient operating conditions for cost-effective implementation of this OAE technology worldwide. It is about identifying the best industrial connections and ideal global locations.
This ultra-thin membrane extracts acid substances more efficiently than existing commercially available membranes, and its manufacturing technology and optimal usage significantly reduce production and operating costs.
Developing cost-effective BMED systems will pave the way to economically viable OAE.
cautious optimism
Several startups have recently been established to remove ocean carbon dioxide through OAE, including Ebb Carbon, SeaO2, and Vesta.
We encourage open communication with the public, research institutions, governments, and the private sector about the advances and challenges facing OAE to accelerate solutions to OAE challenges.
In particular, there is a need to develop and implement reliable systems to measure, report and verify the net amount of acidity and carbon removed, while assessing the impact of seawater alkalinity readjustment on marine ecosystems. there is.
In addition to this, you also need to identify the best large-scale deployment locations where OAE can be safely and effectively implemented.
Although these considerations are being studied by various groups, more support is needed to rapidly refine and scale this technology.
Overcoming technological challenges and environmental uncertainties requires massive scale-up of support from governments, industry, nonprofits, and venture capital to ensure careful and responsible large-scale adoption of OAE technologies around the world. We need to focus on verifying what we have.
