Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology extracts carbon dioxide directly from ambient air using specialized chemical processes. Current systems can capture CO2 at concentrations as low as 400 ppm. The captured CO2 can be permanently stored underground or utilized to create useful products like synthetic fuels, chemicals, or building materials. Current costs range from $600-1000 per ton of CO2, with targets to reach $100-200 per ton by 2030.
Important Considerations
Current costs are 10-20x higher than necessary for climate impact. Energy requirements and scalability challenges remain substantial.
How It Works
Air is drawn through chemical filters containing sorbents like amines or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that selectively bind CO2 molecules. Temperature or pressure swing processes then release concentrated CO2 streams for capture and storage. Solid sorbent systems typically operate at 80-120°C, while liquid solvent systems use aqueous amine solutions and operate at higher temperatures. The process requires significant energy input, with current systems needing 1,500-2,000 kWh per ton of CO2 captured.
Advantages
Can address legacy emissions already in the atmosphere, location-independent deployment unlike point-source capture, scalable technology with modular designs, enables permanent carbon removal when combined with geological storage, can produce carbon-neutral synthetic fuels and chemicals, and provides negative emissions necessary for climate goals.
Challenges
Very high energy requirements (1.5-2 MWh per ton CO2), expensive operational costs currently 600-1000 per ton, requires renewable energy to be truly carbon negative, significant infrastructure investment needed