CSB#1: Removing Carbon Dioxide from the Air
Definitions
- Sorbents: A solid or liquid material that chemically binds the CO2; it leaves the nitrogen, oxygen and other elements in "air" alone.
- Global Warming: A natural process in which the temperature of on the planet increases at a certain rate. Our man-made pollution has recently added to this process, creating increases in temperature every year.
Summary
- Continuing to pollute at current levels will eventually bring about catastrophic problems; in addition, renewable energies are pricey and inefficient with current technologies.
- The only remaining option would be to remove carbon dioxide from the air by capturing it through the use of machines that utilize sorbents; these machines, basically bind the carbon dioxide, collect it, and then send it to a vault where it is liquidized and stored for later usage. When created, these machines will have the potential to collect up to tens to hundreds of tons of CO2.
- Early prototypes have proven that wide-use of these machines would stop or reverse the rise of atmospheric CO2; in the future, if there are enough machines in use, we could decrease Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere by 5 parts per million per year, which is greater than what we pollute.
- In addition to helping the environment, this machine will also lead to profits. Every year, the people use 30 million tons of CO2 based products, such as dry ice; people could sell the Carbon Dioxide produced by this machine to meet the world's needs.
- In the future, this carbon dioxide based materials could be used to create a synthetic gasoline and be a nutrient for the production of bio fuel, thus helping our environment more.
- However, similar to all products, there is a loophole, price. Originally, it will cost up to $200 to capture a ton of carbon dioxide; however, as technology and time progresses, this price will reduce to about $30 dollars per ton.
Discussion:
- This article was particularly interesting because if this machine is produced, it could help the environment which is crucial to all that consider this planet home.
- I think that it was amazing that the carbon dioxide that is captured could be sold or used in other ways that help the environment.
- I was particularly amazed to know that technology is advanced enough to bind carbon dioxide in large quantities and be able to turn it into a liquid.
- Until I read this article, I was completely unaware of the fact that CO2 could be used in ways that will help the environment, like being the basis of synthetic gasoline.
- I was astounded that the machine was going to only be the size of a 40-foot shipping container. I expected the machine to be the size of a gym or something to that extent.
Questions - How will this machine cost to maintain on a whole(after profits are accounted for)?
- How long will it take for the price of the capturing to decrease and what assurance do we have that the price will decrease?
- Where will we be able to fit 10 million machines if we want to the projected reduction of 5 parts per million?
Sources- Article: Lackner, Klaus S. "Washing Carbon Out of the Air." Scientific American June
2010: 66-71. Web. 23 Sept. 2010. <http://puffin.harker.org:2092/ehost/
detail?vid=5&hid=106&sid=31118bc8-85d9-43d4-8965-570f1a3d48e6%40sessionmgr113&bda
ta=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=sch&AN=50524949>.
- Picture of smoking factory: http://www.plus961.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/zouk-electricity-factory-pollution.jpg
- Picture of Dry Ice: http://ny-icecream.com/images/p-dryice_yto9.jpg
I completely agree with your reaction to this article. I think that is is very interesting that there is such a machine that could help in this way. I haven't heard of this type of solution to the growing problem of global warming. One thing that I would want to know is some details about how the actual machine works. This idea is great because it doesn't just help the environment, it could help the economy, too. Nice article choice.
ReplyDeleteYour summary was very clear and it was easy to understand what the concept of the "CO2 siphoning machine" was. I agree that it is fascinating that CO2 can be siphoned out of the atmosphere, which it is hurting, and used to make an environmentally friendly fuel. At thirty dollars a ton, though, it would still be fairly expensive at thousands of dollars a day. One question that I was wondering about is how much would selling CO2 products bring in, and would it compensate the cost? Overall I was able to understand your article and the definitions were clear, so good job!
ReplyDeleteThis article is actually very interesting. This could really help our environment when the machine is made and if it works. It's also nice how over time the price will drop and be somewhat affordable. But one part I don't really understand is, when it binds and collects the CO2, after it stores it, how is the CO2 used to help the environment? Isn't it kind of pointless to collect the CO2 and then just use it to run cars and let it out into the air again?
ReplyDeleteI think that overall you did a good job writing this, but I do have a few questions--You said: "Originally, it will cost up to $200 to capture a ton of carbon dioxide; however, as technology and time progresses, this price will reduce to about $30 dollars per ton." How can scientists be sure about this? But I still think that you chose a really interesting topic, so good job!
ReplyDeleteThank you guys for the great comments. Justin, thanks for the tip on adding more information on the actual capturing. Samyu, thanks for the question; actually, I asked the same thing by saying how will it affect the economy on a whole, but I will make sure I make this more clear. Madhu, that is a really good question. It helps the environment by replacing fossil fuels with a synthetic gasoline and biofuel. I agree that these will still pollute a little in cars; however, they pollute much less than fossil fuels, because fossil fuels require us to get them from the Earth, purify them, and transport them. Archana, thank you for the great question, I will make sure that I emphasize this on my second question; I really meant to add that in when I asked how long it would take for the price to decrease. Overall, thanks so much for the comments.
ReplyDelete