Surprising and innovative installation removes CO2 from seawater, increasing carbon absorption by the oceans and produces hydrogen and calcium carbonate
An innovative initiative in Singapore is marking a significant step forward in the fight against climate change and the search for clean energy sources. Local scientists are planning to expand a pilot project that not only increases the oceans' ability to absorb carbon dioxide emissions, but also generates hydrogen and a vital component for the construction industry, according to the website One Planet.
Ocean CO2 removal (OCDR) technology and hydrogen production
Technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the oceans, known as OCDR, have been studied by scientists around the world for some time, but meaningful results have been elusive. However, the Singapore Public Utilities Board has gone a step further when creating a plant that uses electricity to extract CO2 from seawater. The “clean” water, now free of CO2, is then pumped back into the ocean, allowing it to absorb more carbon dioxide.
Located in a desalination facility on the west coast of the city-state, this initiative already extracts 100 kilograms of CO2 per day, using technology developed by the North American company Equatic, founded by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After removing the CO2, the seawater passes through an electrolyzer, which converts the captured carbon into calcium carbonate and generates hydrogen as a byproduct.
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Expansion prospects and commercial potential
The Singapore Public Utilities Board is now seeking funding to build a plant with a daily capacity of 10 tonnes, demonstrating its commitment to the magnification of this innovative technology that can also generate hydrogen. Gurdev Singh, project leader, said: “We have shown that the technology works, but the key now is to optimize it for large-scale use.”
This initiative is considered crucial in light of the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which emphasizes that removing CO2 from the atmosphere will be as important as reducing emissions to combat global warming. Although OCDR techniques have been lauded as unsung heroes in the fight against climate change, it is still unclear whether these new technologies are viable on a large scale.
Commercial potential and sustainable impact to produce hydrogen
Equatic founder Gaurav Sant highlighted the commercial potential of this multifaceted technology. He highlighted: “What makes this business opportunity resilient is that you can essentially have the same equipment to deliver two products: carbon credits and hydrogen.” Furthermore, there is the possibility of profit through the sale of calcium carbonate to the construction industry, where it is used in the manufacture of cement, among other applications.
This innovative project is one of several OCDR pilot ventures around the world. Some of these initiatives depend of techniques such as bringing nutrient-rich deep waters to the surface to encourage the growth of seaweed, while others aim to reduce ocean acidification levels, which would also increase their absorption capacity.