Large-Scale DAC (Direct Air Capture) Facilities to be Built Soon

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https://www.energy.gov/articles/bid...s-12-billion-nations-first-direct-air-capture
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $1.2 billion to advance the development of two commercial-scale direct air capture facilities in Texas and Louisiana. These projects—the first of this scale in the United States—represent the initial selections from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-funded Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs program, which aims to kickstart a nationwide network of large-scale carbon removal sites to address legacy carbon dioxide pollution and complement rapid emissions reductions. These emissions are already in the atmosphere, fueling climate change and extreme weather and jeopardizing public health and ecosystems across the globe. The Hubs are expected to ensure meaningful community and labor engagement and contribute to the President’s Justice40 Initiative. Together, these projects are expected to remove more than 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year from the atmosphere—an amount equivalent to the annual emissions from roughly 445,000 gasoline-powered cars—and create 4,800 good-paying jobs in Texas and Louisiana.

Today’s announcement will be the world’s largest investment in engineered carbon removal in history and each Hub will eventually remove more than 250 times more carbon dioxide than the largest DAC facility currently operating.
I've never heard of a DAC, but this sounds promising.

Google tells me that annually we (the entire world) release 35+ million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Removing 2 million metric tons is a nice start, but I'm curious if there are any notable drawbacks with such technology? Can these DACs be a long-term solution for climate change/global warming problems?
 
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kyphysics said:
35+ million metric tons
Should be billion.
 
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Frabjous said:
Should be billion.
My thoughts went from: "Hey, this could significantly change global warming"

to

"Meh. This doesn't do anything." [relatively speaking]

:sorry:

eta: I'll leave the incorrect figure for reference/comparison purposes.
 
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kyphysics said:
I'm curious if there are any notable drawbacks with such technology?
Just a few.

First, the unclear energy requirement.

Then, the long term safe storage of a breath-inhibiting dangerous gas with a bad history.

Also, the matter of effectiveness compared to other solutions, like emission-reduction.

... Overall, this feels rather like PR- than climate-engineering.
Sure, time to start doing big things since waiting will just cook us, but ... this one just cannot bring me the right feeling :sorry:
 
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1. What is Direct Air Capture (DAC) and how does it work?

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere. It works using chemical processes that absorb CO2 from the air. These processes typically involve fans that pull air through materials or solutions that chemically bind with CO2. Once the CO2 is captured, it can be stored underground or used in various applications, such as in the production of synthetic fuels, chemicals, or even for enhanced oil recovery.

2. Why are large-scale DAC facilities being built?

Large-scale DAC facilities are being built to mitigate climate change by reducing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. As global CO2 emissions continue to rise, technologies like DAC provide a method to directly remove existing CO2, complementing emissions reduction efforts. These facilities are crucial for achieving net-zero emissions goals and could be essential in reversing climate change impacts if deployed widely and effectively.

3. What are the challenges associated with building large-scale DAC facilities?

There are several challenges associated with building large-scale DAC facilities. These include high costs, energy requirements, and the need for significant infrastructure development. The technology is also still in relatively early stages, meaning there can be technical hurdles in scaling up to effectively capture significant amounts of CO2. Additionally, the captured CO2 must be safely and permanently stored or utilized, requiring further logistical and regulatory frameworks.

4. How much CO2 can these facilities capture and what is their impact?

The amount of CO2 that large-scale DAC facilities can capture varies depending on the technology and scale of the facility. Current facilities are capable of capturing thousands to millions of tons of CO2 annually, but this is a small fraction compared to global emissions. However, as the technology advances and more facilities are built, their cumulative impact could become substantial, potentially capturing billions of tons of CO2 each year if widely deployed and supported by adequate policies and investments.

5. Are there any environmental concerns associated with DAC?

While DAC is a promising technology for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, there are environmental concerns to consider. These include the energy source used for the operation of DAC facilities; if the energy is not sourced from renewable or low-carbon sources, the overall reduction in CO2 might be undermined. Additionally, there are concerns about the impacts of large-scale infrastructure on local environments and communities, including land use and potential ecological disruptions. Effective regulation and careful planning are essential to mitigate these concerns.

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