Dilute Carbon Capture: Great Idea, Not Ready for Prime Time

The American Physical Society released a study on direct air capture (DAC) of dilute atmospheric carbon using chemicals. It's a very interesting idea being put forward and supported by faculty and scientists of Lamont-Doherty Earth Institute. The report, unlike some others, is clear, thoughtful and not overtly political. One of the killer points against the technology is buried towards the back: in terms of net carbon saving, a DAC plant couldn't run on a high carbon fuel (coal, oil, natural gas) unless that plant has a carbon capture system itself. Otherwise, we would be chasing our own tail adding carbon from burning fuel in order to take dilute carbon out of the atmosphere.

As the press clamors for Japan to switch from nuclear to "renewables," we have to take a reasoned, pragmatic, and holistic view of reducing carbon emissions. One way which seems to have some irresistible logic would be to somehow place a price on carbon emissions ($40 or so per ton has been mentioned in early literature). Without some sort of benchmark, it is very difficult to project a commercial future for exotic technologies like DAC.