A new study published in the Royal Society of Chemistry has compared the efficiency and energy consumption of 12 different carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods. The research was led by Graphyte CTO Hannah Murnen and CEO Barclay Rogers, in collaboration with Daniel L. Sanchez and Peter Psarras. Their goal was to create a standardized framework for evaluating engineered carbon removal solutions.
The study reviewed various approaches, including Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), biochar production, biomass sludge sequestration, Direct Air Capture (DAC), and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). It assessed these technologies based on their carbon removal efficiency and energy consumption requirements.
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Using a baseline efficiency model, the research identified the most effective CDR approaches. The top-performing technologies included:
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The study revealed that biomass-based solutions generally have higher efficiency compared to Direct Air Capture (DAC). Biomass approaches demonstrated carbon removal efficiencies ranging from 0.55 to 0.96, whereas DAC methods scored between 0.06 and 0.15.
This gap exists because biomass already contains concentrated CO2, making the removal process more straightforward and less energy-intensive. However, researchers caution that biomass conversion can lead to carbon losses, reducing its overall impact.
"We’re seeing promising results from biomass-based removal, but efficiency losses during processing remain a challenge," said Barclay Rogers.
Companies like Charm Industrial, Carbonfuture, and XPRIZE Carbon Removal winner Takachar are advancing biochar production and biomass-based sequestration techniques to improve efficiency and scalability.
The study also analyzed how much energy each method requires per ton of CO2 removed. Unsurprisingly, DAC technology has the highest energy consumption, requiring between 10 and 12 GJ per ton of CO2 captured.
By comparison:
Despite its energy intensity, DAC efficiency improves significantly when powered by renewable energy. However, weather conditions can impact performance, with solid sorbent DAC dropping from 83% to 77% efficiency in unfavorable climates.
Leading companies in Direct Air Capture include Climeworks, Carbon Engineering, and Heirloom Carbon, all of which are working to scale DAC technology while reducing its energy requirements.
The findings from this study highlight the importance of balancing efficiency with energy consumption when evaluating CDR technologies. The results suggest that low-energy biomass solutions could be a viable near-term strategy, while DAC may require further innovation to improve efficiency.
"Understanding energy use and efficiency trade-offs is crucial as we scale carbon removal solutions," said Hannah Murnen.
Companies like Google and Stripe are making major investments in carbon removal, funding projects across ERW, biochar, DAC, and BECCS. As governments and corporations push for net-zero goals, these insights will help guide investments toward the most effective carbon removal solutions.
With ongoing research and innovation, the CDR industry continues to evolve, bringing new opportunities for scalable climate solutions.
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