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Thermal removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere: energy requirements and scaling issues

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  • Ted Hippel

    (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    University of Cambridge)

Abstract

I conduct a system-level study of direct air capture of CO2 using techniques from thermal physics. This system relies on a combination of an efficient heat exchanger, radiative cooling, and refrigeration, all at industrial scale and operated in environments at low ambient temperatures. While technological developments will be required for such a system to operate efficiently, those developments rest on a long history of refrigeration expertise and technology, and they can be developed and tested at modest scale. I estimate that the energy required to remove CO2 via this approach is comparable to direct air capture by other techniques. The most challenging aspect of building a system that could remove 1 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere per year is the power demand of 112 to 420 GW during the wintertime operational period.

Suggested Citation

  • Ted Hippel, 2018. "Thermal removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere: energy requirements and scaling issues," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 491-501, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:148:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10584-018-2208-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-018-2208-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Isaac, Morna & van Vuuren, Detlef P., 2009. "Modeling global residential sector energy demand for heating and air conditioning in the context of climate change," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 507-521, February.
    2. David Keith & Minh Ha-Duong & Joshua K. Stolaroff, 2006. "Climate strategy with CO2 capture from the air," Post-Print halshs-00003926, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sandra K. S. Boetcher & Matthew J. Traum & Ted Hippel, 2020. "Thermodynamic Model of CO2 Deposition in Cold Climates," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 158(3), pages 517-530, February.

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