AUSTIN, Texas — Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method for storing carbon captured from the atmosphere that works significantly faster than current techniques and does not require harmful chemical accelerants.
In research published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, the team introduced a technique for the ultrafast formation of carbon dioxide hydrates. These ice-like materials can sequester carbon dioxide in the ocean, preventing its release into the atmosphere.
“We’re staring at a huge challenge — finding a way to safely remove gigatons of carbon from our atmosphere — and hydrates offer a universal solution for carbon storage. For them to be a major piece of the carbon storage pie, we need the technology to grow them rapidly and at scale,” said Vaibhav Bahadur, a professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering who led the research. “We’ve shown that we can quickly grow hydrates without using any chemicals that offset the environmental benefits of carbon capture.”
Carbon dioxide is recognized as the most common greenhouse gas and a significant driver of climate change. Carbon capture and sequestration involves removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it permanently, which is considered crucial for decarbonizing our planet.
Currently, injecting carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs is the most common storage method. This approach has dual benefits: trapping carbon and increasing oil production. However, it also faces issues such as leakage, groundwater contamination, seismic risks associated with injection, and unsuitability in regions lacking appropriate geologic features.
Hydrates represent an alternative plan for large-scale carbon storage but could become primary if certain challenges are addressed. Previously, forming these hydrates was slow and energy-intensive. The new study achieved a sixfold increase in hydrate formation rate compared to previous methods. This speed combined with a chemical-free process facilitates mass-scale use.
Magnesium serves as a catalyst in this research, eliminating the need for chemical promoters. High flow rate bubbling of CO2 in a specific reactor configuration enhances this process. The technology’s compatibility with seawater simplifies implementation by avoiding complex desalination processes.
“Hydrates are attractive carbon storage options since the seabed offers stable thermodynamic conditions, which protects them from decomposing.” Bahadur stated. “We are essentially making carbon storage available to every country on the planet that has a coastline; this makes storage more accessible and feasible on a global scale and brings us closer to achieving a sustainable future.”
The breakthrough extends beyond just carbon sequestration; ultrafast hydrate formation has potential applications in desalination, gas separation, and gas storage across various industries.
The researchers have filed for two patents related to this technology and are considering establishing a startup to commercialize it.
Images and graphics available to media can be accessed via Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin: https://utexas.box.com/s/foe8jv5m5c5ijtl67tn8gayq27mo25cb
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