Description:
Reference #: 1704
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Modular Direct Air Capture (DAC) of CO2 using waste materials.
Background:
Human activities, mainly burning fossil fuels, have increased greenhouse gas concentrations. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most abundant greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Even though natural processes maintain the CO2 level in the Earth’s atmosphere through the carbon cycle, the atmospheric CO2 level is increasing rapidly. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop cost-effective and efficient CO2 adsorption materials for practical implementation. Current carbon capture companies use mostly synthetic materials that are created for direct air capture. The synthesis process uses expensive chemicals, creates chemical waste, and is energy intensive.
Invention Description:
This technology converts different forms of waste biomass into efficient direct air carbon dioxide capture materials. Multiple types of feedstock can be used for this technology, including logging residue, agricultural waste, or human biosolids. Through our synthesis process, these starting feedstocks become activated to allow carbon dioxide to be adsorbed on the surface. The material is able to be reused many times by desorbing the carbon dioxide from the surface and at the end of its lifetime, can be used as a soil amendment.
Potential Applications:
Any industry that produces carbon dioxide as a waste product
Advantages and Benefits:
This technology repurposes waste materials, which significantly reduces cost and net waste production. There is also significant flexibility with the feedstock, which allows the invention to adjust based on seasonal availability, regional availability, and seasonal competition with other industries.