The race to achieve net zero is heating up, and the Sultanate of Oman is stepping into the spotlight with cutting-edge Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, using chemical or physical processes to extract CO2 directly from the air.
DAC is a costly method to capture CO2 because it is energy and sometimes water intensive, it captures CO2 at its source and can remove it from the very air we breathe, making it a significant effort and technology to utilize in our steps to decarbonize.
The physical processes involve fans or blowers pulling air into the DAC system, passing through physical systems and filters designed to selectively capture the CO2 by exploiting their differences from other gas properties. One process, called ‘pressure swing absorption,’ (PSA) involves utilizing a material that absorbs CO2 at higher temperatures; requiring physical forces to bind the CO2. Another method involves ‘temperature swing absorption’ (TSA), which uses heat to separate the CO2. Finally, cryogenic separation -a more energy intensive method- utilizes extreme cold temperatures to separate the CO2.
Solvent-based direct air capture systems pass air through chemicals that remove the CO2. Most commercial techniques use a liquid solvent—usually amine-based or caustic—to absorb CO 2from a gas. Existing systems use a combination of heat and vacuum to remove the captured CO2 and return the chemicals to the direct air capture process.
Solvent-based direct air capture systems pass air through chemicals that remove the CO2. From Amine-based solvents that react with CO2 to form a carbamate compound, to a reaction with Potassium Hydroxide solution that forms Potassium Carbonate in a reversible process, the utilization of Carbonate-based systems to form bicarbonates that release CO2 when heated, or the use of ionic liquids that either bind with or dissolve the CO2. While still in the experimental stages of DAC, highly porous Metal-organic framework (MOF) hybrid solvents are being explored for their potential to enhance CO2 absorption.
The world's first commercial Direct Air Capture (DAC) facility started operation in 2017 in Hinwil, in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. With no geological component and operating at a much smaller scale. Today, there are 27 operational Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants worldwide, collectively capturing approximately 0.01 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that plans for at least 130 large-scale DAC facilities are at various stages of development. If all proceed, DAC deployment could approach the levels required by 2030 under the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, targeting around 65 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Omani startup 44.01 is part of these efforts; specializing in carbon mineralization with the launch of a DAC and mineralization project in Oman’s Hajar Mountains, set to be the largest peridotite mineralisation activity in the world with aims to utilize Aircapture’s modular DAC to extract up to 500 tons of CO₂ annually from the atmosphere.
Occidental Petroleum’s Exploration: Occidental Petroleum (Oxy I'll) has also expressed interest in establishing a DAC project in Oman with plans to leverage advanced technologies, including digital twin simulations, to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of DAC operations; aligning with Oxy’s sustainability goals and Oman’s strategic focus on carbon management.
As the world races against time to combat climate change, its efforts towards Direct Air Capture technology marks a significant step towards a sustainable future. By leveraging its natural resources and innovative partnerships, the Sultanate of Oman is not only addressing the challenges of decarbonization but also setting an example for global collaboration in the fight for a cleaner, greener planet.
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