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Vacuum away CO2: A new way to fight harmful emissions

June 3, 2016

Reducing emissions is a many-faceted problem with no one clear solution. But what if fixing the problem was as simple as turning on a vacuum?

Reducing emissions is a many-faceted problem with no one clear solution. But what if fixing the problem was as simple as turning on a vacuum? One company will soon begin harvesting harmful CO2 from that air and selling it. Why didn't we think of this earlier? 

According to ScienceAlert: "Expected to start operating in September or October, Climeworks' pilot plant will not only draw and filter carbon dioxide (CO2) out of ambient air – it will then repurpose the accumulated carbon as a marketable product.

The company is looking at selling its CO2 to third parties – such as a nearby greenhouse for use in agricultural processes like growing vegetables – but it has also considered other partners, such as offloading the CO2 to beverage makers that could use it to carbonate drinks.

The process Climeworks uses is called direct air capture, where collector modules suck air into a sponge-like filter treated with chemicals derived from ammonia. This filter binds gaseous CO2, which can then be released through heating."

To learn more, read "Scientists are about to turn on a system that converts atmospheric CO2 into fuel" from ScienceAlert.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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