This team has a plan: use the train to capture carbon from the air

Capture carbon dioxide directly from the air and compress it, and then seal or use it, which is expected to help people achieve net zero carbon emissions targets. However, the process of capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air is densely energy and space, and the cost is high.

In order to design a direct carbon capture technology that uses less energy and space, a cross -disciplinary team outlines a plan, that is, the transforming the train carriage is to remove the carbon in the air in the form of the current average cost. Related studies have recently published in Jiao Er magazine.

Direct air -carbon capture facilities require large -area land placement equipment and build the required renewable energy facilities. Generally, it is difficult to obtain an operation permit, because many residents oppose the construction of these large facilities in their residence.

"This is a big problem. Most people want to solve the climate crisis, but no one wants to solve the problem in their" backyard '. "Geoffrey Ozin, a chemist at the University of Toronto, Canada. It does not need to occupy a fixed area or apply for construction permits. It is moving and generally does not affect the public. "

These special manufactured cars use large ventilation outlets to inhale air, and do not require the energy dense fan system used by traditional carbon capture equipment. When a sufficient number of carbon dioxide is collected, the door will be closed, and the collected carbon dioxide will be accumulated, concentrated, and stored in a liquid pool. Seal the location. The air without carbon dioxide was discharged from the rear or bottom of the train and returned to the atmosphere.

When the train brakes, its energy brake system transforms forward momentum into electrical energy. When the brake system is enabled, the energy is dissipated in the form of heat and discharged from the top of the train. "This will waste energy." E. Bachman, author and founder of CO2rail, said, "The energy generated by each complete braking process is enough to provide an average of 20 families with one day of electricity, so we are not discussed insignificant. Energy. The author suggested that these energy sources should be used to help slow up climate change.

The author believes that carbon dioxide directly from the air is a feasible climate solution because the railway system is in place. "Infrastructure exists." Ozin said, "All you have to do is to use existing resources."

Researchers said that a freight train equipped with such direct air carbon capture equipment can remove up to 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Since its sustainable energy demand is provided by car resources, the cost per ton is significantly lower than other similar systems.

Bachman said: "It is expected that the cost is expected to be less than 50 US dollars per ton after the large -scale popularization, which makes this technology not only commercially feasible, but also attractive."

The author hopes that this technology will have a positive impact, not just limited to eliminating carbon in the atmosphere.

"We can get a positive feedback cycle to encourage the railway to deploy such railways extensively, and even this itself can further reduce carbon emissions, because the efficiency of the railway is about 5 to 6 times higher than the truck." Bachman said, "By increasing railway utilization Rate can improve the efficiency of the entire transportation system. "(Journal of China)

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