"The discussion of energy consumption for cryogenic & combined #DirectAirCapture systems is explored in the newly published thesis."ποΈ
Details are discussed in aπ§΅β¬οΈ
1/10
In this novel approach, "a thermodynamic model was constructed using psychometric theories to model the #desublimation of CO2 in a #DAC system. The system was modeled
to include a precooling heat exchanger & a deposition chamber where the desublimation
of CO2 occurs."
2/10
3οΈβ£ base systems studied:
πΈ NC (no precompression/turbine recovery)
πΈPC (precompression only)
πΈTR (precompression & turbine recovery)
at 3οΈβ£ different compression ratios, n=400, 800 & 2000.
Then, a combination #DAC system, PSA, was modeled."
3/10
"A dual-column, 4οΈβ£-step Skarstrom Cycle PSA (pressure swing adsorption & cryogenic distillation) unit was analyzed using Extended Langmuir Models & the
ideal gas law to simulate a CO2 conc. prior to the deposition chamber. The NC & PSA systems were assessed at Tamb= -50β¦C."
4/10
This study finds that "while increasing the compression ratio of the system, there is no net energy benefit when capturing CO2 given the current state-of-the-art in commercial compressor & #cryocooler capabilities."
5/10
"The assessment of the efficiency of a precooler versus TR finds that it is more advantageous to utilize a heat exchanger precooler than precompression with turbine recovery in a #DAC system. Combining DAC systems may yield a more efficient system."
6/10
"PSA combined with cryogenic capture is less energy intensive than cryogenic capture alone. In a combined #DAC system with PSA and cryogenic distillation,
the PSA unit has a significantly lower energy consumption than the #cryocooler."
7/10
"Increasing the concentration of CO2 entering the deposition chamber significantly decreases the required energy consumption of the #cryocooler."
8/10
Read the complete #Doctoral#Thesis entitled: "Atmospheric Carbon Capture: A Review on Current Technologies and Analysis of Energy Consumption for Various Direct Air Capture (DAC) Systems" here β¬οΈ commons.erau.edu/edt/728/
π¨A new study in Communications Sustainability explores whether enhanced rock weathering (#ERW) can scale into a meaningful, equitable climate solution.
The headline: ERW could remove ~1GtCOβ/yr by 2100, but who deploys it, when & how fast will shape its global impact.π§΅1/10
2/ Enhanced rock weathering works by spreading crushed silicate rocks on croplands.
These minerals chemically react with COβ, locking carbon into stable forms while improving soil quality. Itβs a rare intervention promising both climate mitigation and agricultural co-benefits.
3/ But technical potential alone doesnβt determine climate outcomes. The central question the paper asks is:
How does ERW adoption diffuse across countries under real-world economic, social, and political conditions?
π¨New study finds #biochar made from bioenergy crops & residues in China could remove up to 1.88 GtCOβ/yr with optimized plant logistics and dedicated biomass.
At ~$10/tCOβ, far cheaper than #BECCS, it offers a scalable, cost-effective carbon removal (#CDR) pathway.
π§΅1/13
2/ Biochar, a carbon-rich solid produced by pyrolysis of biomass, locks carbon into soils for decades to centuries while improving soil quality and crop yields.
Its stability makes it a promising negative emissions technology (NET) relied on in climate scenarios.
3/ The authors evaluate a hybrid system called BCBE, biochar production with biomass supply from dedicated bioenergy crops grown on abandoned cropland, plus agricultural and forestry residues.
This aims to reduce competition with food production.
From U.S. withdrawal from global climate bodies & anti-geoengineering bills, to SAI uncertainty tool, Arctic field trials & funding calls, SRM stayed at the nexus of sci & geopolitics.
Top 10 SRM Highlights (Jan'26)π§΅1/11
1οΈβ£ π¨.π¦. π²π πΆππ π¨π‘ππππ & ππ£ππ - Experts warn withdrawal could weaken SRM governance, deepen geopolitical mistrust, and accelerate fragmented or unilateral approaches.
2/11
2οΈβ£ ππ»ππΆ-π΄π²πΌπ²π»π΄πΆπ»π²π²πΏπΆπ»π΄ π―πΆπΉπΉπ πΆπ» ππ΅π² π¨.π¦. - New Arizona and Iowa state proposals target geoengineering, despite limited evidence and no active SRM programs.
π¨Climate pathways to 1.5Β°C increasingly depend on land-intensive carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) like forestation and BECCS.
But new research shows these climate solutions could place major pressure on #biodiversity if deployed without safeguards.
Detailsπ§΅1/11
2/ Using five integrated assessment models, the study examines where large-scale CDR is projected to occur & and how often it overlaps with biodiversity hotspots and climate refugia, the places most critical for species survival.
3/ The analysis focuses on a moderate but realistic deployment level of 6 GtCOβ per year:
β’ 3 GtCOβ/yr from forestation
β’ 3 GtCOβ/yr from BECCS
Even at this level, land pressures are already significant.
π¨The Politics of Geoengineering (book) is out, offering 1st comprehensive social science view of #geoengineering.
It examines political, legal, economic & societal dimensions of CDR & SRM, from Africa to the Asia-Pacific, amid urgent governance & ethical debates
Chaptersπ§΅1/15
2/ Chapter 01: Geoengineering has shifted from theory to contested policy, with technology outpacing governance. The analysis highlights political, legal, economic, and justice dimensions and calls for urgent global oversight.
3/ Chapter 2 examines Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) as geoengineering, analyzing CO2 extraction, storage, and conversion, with SWOT insights on techniques and implications for sustainable climate action.
π¨Is carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) in the Arctic really feasible?
A new peer-reviewed study systematically assessed proposed Arctic CDR pathways and finds that feasibility is far more limited than often assumed.
DETAILSπ§΅1/14
2/ As Arctic warms rapidly (4x) & attracts attention for climate interventions, can it host CDR at meaningful scale?
To answer this, authors conducted a comparative assessment of major CDR approaches proposed for Arctic regions, spanning both nature-based & engineered methods.
3/ The analysis draws on existing empirical studies, pilot projects, and modeling literature, evaluating each CDR pathway against biophysical constraints, technical readiness, environmental risks, and governance requirements.