Finally Carbon Dioxide can be Removed widely from Factories and Power Plants

Power Plant Releasing Carbon Dioxide into Atmosphere

A group of scientists finally find a way to capture and remove the carbon-dioxide gas significantly from industries and power plant gas that is released into the atmosphere.

Scientists at Waterloo University created a powder that can capture the Carbon-di-Oxide (CO2) from industrial or power plant gas more efficiently than the conventional way.

A chemical engineering professor at Waterloo University created a carbon dioxide-capturing powder in Zhongwei Chen's lab that can isolate Carbon Dioxide from gases that are generally released into the atmosphere from industries and significantly from the power plant where fossil fuel is burnt.

What Is Carbon dioxide?

Carbon Dioxide consists of Carbon and Oxygen atoms, the chemical formula is CO2

or O=C=O, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. Its chemical bond occurs naturally in the atmosphere as a trace gas. Carbon dioxide is a colorless gas. 

Color: Colorless

Molar mass: 44.01 g/mol

Formula: CO2

Triple point temperature: -56.6 °C

Chem Spider ID: 274

Soluble in: Water

Pub Chem CID: 280

The technique they developed uses heat and salt to extract a black carbon powder from plant matter. Carbon spheres that make up the powder have many, many pores and the vast majority of them are less than one-millionth of a meter in diameter.

They said and we believe that this creation is more and more important in the future to deal with carbon released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. It will take a vital role in our greenhouse effect. Finally, Carbon Dioxide can be removed widely from factories and power plants exhausted gases into the atmosphere.

What is the method for removing CO2 from factories and power plants?

That's great news! Carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from factories and power plants is a significant step toward mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are several methods available for CO2 removal, and advancements in technology continue to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

Here are a few common methods for removing CO2 from factories and power plants:

Carbon capture and storage (CCS): This technique involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources, such as power plants or factories, and storing them underground. The captured CO2 is typically compressed and transported to suitable geological formations for long-term storage.

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU): Instead of storing the captured CO2, CCU focuses on utilizing it in various industrial processes. CO2 can be converted into useful products such as chemicals, building materials, or even synthetic fuels, reducing the overall emissions.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): BECCS combines biomass energy production with carbon capture and storage. Biomass fuels, such as agricultural waste or dedicated energy crops, are burned to generate energy while capturing the resulting CO2 emissions. The captured CO2 is then stored underground.

Direct air capture (DAC): DAC involves capturing CO2 directly from the ambient air using specialized technologies. These systems typically use chemical sorbents or solvents to absorb CO2, which is then processed for storage or utilization.

The widespread implementation of CO2 removal technologies in factories and power plants can help reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change. However, it's important to note that CO2 removal is just one aspect of addressing climate change. Efforts should also focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices across industries to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

How Much Carbon Dioxide Emite from Power Plants Each Year?

The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants varies depending on several factors such as the type of fuel used, the efficiency of the power plant, and the total energy generation. However, I can provide you with some general estimates.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global power sector CO2 emissions in 2020 were approximately 13.1 gigatonnes (Gt). This accounted for around 40% of total energy-related CO2 emissions. It's important to note that this figure includes emissions from both fossil fuel power plants and those using renewable energy sources.

Fossil fuel power plants, which predominantly use coal, natural gas, and oil, are major contributors to CO2 emissions. On average, coal-fired power plants emit the highest levels of CO2 per unit of electricity generated, followed by oil-fired and natural gas-fired power plants. However, the specific emissions can vary depending on the technology and efficiency of the power plant.

To provide some context, a typical coal-fired power plant emits around 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of CO2 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated. In comparison, a natural gas-fired power plant emits around 1.3 pounds (0.6 kilograms) of CO2 per kWh. These values are rough estimates and can vary depending on the specific power plant's characteristics.

It's important to recognize that efforts are being made to reduce CO2 emissions from power plants through the adoption of cleaner technologies, such as renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric), and the implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

Please note that the figures provided are general estimates, and actual emissions can vary widely depending on regional energy mixes, policies, and other factors.

How Much Carbon Dioxide Emite from Factories Each Year?

The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from factories varies significantly depending on the type of industry, the size of the facility, the production processes involved, and the energy sources used. Consequently, it is challenging to provide a specific figure for the total CO2 emissions from factories worldwide. However, I can give you some general information on industrial emissions.

Industrial activities are responsible for a substantial portion of global CO2 emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2020, industry-related CO2 emissions accounted for approximately 24% of total energy-related CO2 emissions. This includes emissions from various sectors such as manufacturing, chemical production, cement production, and steelmaking.

Different industries have different emission profiles. For example, energy-intensive industries like cement, steel, and chemicals tend to have higher CO2 emissions due to the carbon-intensive nature of their production processes. On the other hand, industries that rely on renewable energy sources or have implemented energy-efficient practices may have lower emissions.

To provide some context, the cement industry is known to be a significant emitter of CO2, accounting for around 7% of global CO2 emissions. Steel production is another sector with substantial emissions, responsible for approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions.

It's worth noting that efforts are underway to reduce CO2 emissions from industrial sectors. Companies are adopting cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency, and exploring options like carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture and utilization (CCU) to mitigate their carbon footprint.

It's important to remember that the emissions from factories can vary widely depending on geographical location, industrial practices, and regulatory frameworks. Accurate emission data specific to individual factories or industries would require detailed analysis at a local or regional level.

Is it Really Possible to Remove  Carbon Dioxide from Factories and Power Plants?

Yes, it is possible to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from factories and power plants. Various technologies and methods are available for capturing and reducing CO2 emissions from industrial sources. While the complete elimination of CO2 emissions may be challenging, these approaches can significantly reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Here are some common methods for CO2 removal:

Carbon capture and storage (CCS): CCS involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial processes, such as power plants or factories, and storing them underground in geological formations like depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline aquifers. CCS has been implemented in several large-scale projects globally and has the potential to play a role in reducing CO2 emissions.

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU): CCU focuses on capturing CO2 emissions and converting them into useful products, rather than simply storing them. The captured CO2 can be used in various industrial processes, such as manufacturing chemicals, fuels, building materials, or even in greenhouse agriculture. CCU has the advantage of turning CO2 into a valuable resource, thereby reducing emissions while creating economic opportunities.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): BECCS combines the use of biomass energy with CCS. Biomass fuels, such as agricultural residues or purpose-grown energy crops, are burned to generate energy, and the resulting CO2 emissions are captured and stored. BECCS offers the potential to produce energy while removing CO2 from the atmosphere, making it a negative emissions technology.

Direct air capture (DAC): DAC involves capturing CO2 directly from the ambient air using specialized technologies. These systems use chemical sorbents or solvents to absorb CO2, which is then processed for storage or utilization. DAC can be particularly useful in scenarios where capturing emissions directly from point sources is not feasible.

While these technologies show promise, it's important to note that their widespread deployment and effectiveness will depend on factors such as cost, scalability, infrastructure requirements, and policy support. Additionally, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable practices in industries are also crucial in reducing CO2 emissions from factories and power plants.