Mammoth, the world’s largest direct air capture (DAC) facility, has begun operations near Reykjavik, Iceland. Developed by Swiss firm Climeworks, it aims to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it underground. This article explores Mammoth’s capabilities and the potential of DAC in addressing global CO2 emissions.
How Mammoth Works to Capture and Store CO2?
Mammoth features 72 collector units that can capture 36,000 tons of CO2 annually. Each unit utilizes powerful fans to suck in air, which is then filtered to capture the CO2. The captured CO2 is flushed out with hot steam and mixed with fresh water before being injected into underground basalt rock formations. The porous basalt reacts with the CO2, mineralizing it into solid carbonate minerals within a few years.
Challenges and Criticisms of Direct Air Capture Technology
While Mammoth showcases the potential of DAC, the technology faces several challenges and criticisms:
- High energy consumption: Capturing CO2 from the atmosphere requires significant amounts of electricity.
- Limited scale: Current DAC facilities only capture a small fraction of the 40 billion tonnes of CO2 released annually.
- High costs: Climeworks spends nearly $1,000 to capture and store a tonne of CO2, although they aim to reduce costs to $300-$400 by the end of the decade.
Critics argue that capturing CO2 directly from emission sources, such as smokestacks, would be more efficient than removing it from the atmosphere.
The Need for a Multi-Faceted Approach to Climate Change Mitigation
Many climate scientists agree that carbon removal is necessary to prevent harmful global warming. However, they caution against relying solely on technological solutions. Reducing emissions by divesting from fossil fuels and adopting clean energy is crucial.
As more DAC projects and large-scale carbon removal hubs emerge, their impact on atmospheric CO2 levels remains uncertain. Experts suggest a multi-faceted approach, combining emission reduction and various removal methods, to fight climate change effectively.
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