Tech Talk: How Audi's new tech reduces atmospheric CO2

    The direct air capture technology releases CO2-free filtered air; 18 such plants are operating in Europe, the US and Canada.

    Published On Dec 31, 2022 09:00:00 AM

    8,781 Views

    Audi CO2 machine

    A recently commissioned DAC plant set up by Audi and Krajete is expected to remove 1,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere per year.

    Who would have ever guessed that some of the stuff that we all breathe could end up being among the biggest threats to the planet? Clearly, CO2 is that, but what’s frustrating is that we can’t just magic up a giant school chemistry experiment and make it all go away. Or can we?

    There is such a thing and it’s called direct air capture (DAC), a technology already in play today and which could in theory make a difference to global warming if it continues to scale up from the current small beginnings.

    Audi is working with Austrian greentech company Krajete to jointly develop DAC systems. A recently established plant in Austria is based on an inorganic filter material that can adsorb a high proportion of CO2 molecules. These are then chemically absorbed in a following process, with the CO2-free filtered air being released back into the atmosphere.

    The bafflingly similar terms adsorb and absorb are entirely different things. Adsorb means molecules or atoms deposited on a surface, while absorb means one substance is soaked up to form part of the bulk of another, like water being absorbed by a sponge. 

    In the process being developed by Audi and Krajete, the temperature and pressure conditions needed to collect (adsorb) and remove them (absorb) are the same, which isn’t usually the case. As a result, more CO2 can be removed in any given timeframe.

    In common with other methods, the process consumes a fair bit of energy, which in this case is supplied by a photovoltaic system on site. Looking at the broader picture, capturing diluted ambient CO2 from the air is more energy-intensive than trapping it from a concentrated source, like an industrial flue spewing exhaust from a furnace. At the same time, capturing atmospheric CO2 isn’t dependent on the location, so plants can be sited with best access to sustainable energy, such as sunnier climes for solar, or near hydro or thermal energy sources.

    According to the International Energy Agency, there are 18 DAC plants operating in Europe, the US and Canada today, capturing some 10,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. A single plant is at a stage of “advanced development” in the US that will swallow 1Mt (10,00,000 tonnes) per year. The agency says net zero emissions by 2050 will require 60 times that but that such a figure is within reach.

    The modest amounts captured today are often used for things like fizzy drinks, and only two of the 18 plants are storing the captured CO2 (sequestering it) in geological formations. Eleven more plants are under way, and if all came to fruition, the total DAC would amount to 5.5Mt by 2030.

    One of them is the Storegga Dreamcatcher Project, which involves a large-scale plant in the UK capable of capturing between 5,00,000 and 10,00,000 tonnes of CO2 annually and storing it offshore in deep geological formations. Captured CO2 is also considered a useful raw material, though, and when combined with hydrogen is used to make carbon-neutral synthetic fuels.

    Ramping up the damping

    The Fox Live Valve damper tech on Ford’s new Raptor sticks to old-school hydraulics but uses a high-speed electronically controlled valve to increase or decrease compression damping on the fly. The technology has to make the fast changes to damping needed off-road, while still allowing the movement of relatively high volumes of fluid, given the size of the hefty dampers.

    Also See:

    Tech talk: Why engineers love shared vehicle architectures

    Tech talk: How acoustic glass changes driving experience

    Tech talk: How Bentley has reimagined seating technology

    Audi Cars

    Copyright (c) Autocar India. All rights reserved.

    Comments
    ×
    img

    No comments yet. Be the first to comment.

    Ask Autocar Anything about Car and Bike Buying and Maintenance Advices
    Need an expert opinion on your car and bike related queries?
    Ask Now
    Poll of the month

    The Creta will be the third Hyundai N-Line model in India. Should more mass-market brands have sporty sub-brands?

    Yes, it's something special for enthusiasts

     

    18.33%

    Yes, but only if there is increased performance

     

    44.42%

    No, it's just a gimmick to increase the price

     

    29.42%

    It doesn't always work; just look at Tata JTP

     

    7.83%

    Total Votes : 1533
    Sign up for our newsletter

    Get all the latest updates from the automobile universe