新的直接空氣捕獲方法可以使世界更接近淨零碳排放

萊斯大學的創新工程師團隊憑藉其最新研發成果，在碳捕集產業實現了一個重要里程碑

A team of innovative engineers from Rice University has achieved a major milestone in the carbon capture industry with their latest development that could revolutionize the market. The researchers successfully created an electrochemical reactor that can enhance carbon capture from the atmosphere with unmatched efficiency and no harmful byproducts. Here's how this new direct air capture method could make the world one step closer to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the future.

萊斯大學的創新工程師團隊憑藉其最新開發成果，在碳捕獲行業取得了一個重大里程碑，可能會徹底改變市場。研究人員成功創建了一種電化學反應器，可以以無與倫比的效率增強從大氣中捕獲碳，並且不會產生有害副產物。以下是這種新的直接空氣捕獲方法如何使世界在未來實現淨零碳排放更近了一步。

Emissions Reach New Heights Resulting in Climate Disasters

排放量達到新高度導致氣候災難

A report published in BioScience studying the current state of the climate found that the world is “on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster.” The same study showed that fossil fuel emissions have increased to an all-time high. This growth was highlighted by the fact that the 3 hottest days ever occurred in July of 2024. Additionally, the sea surface temperatures hit new records in 2024 in multiple regions.

《生物科學》雜誌發表的一份研究當前氣候狀況的報告發現，世界「正處於一場不可逆轉的氣候災難的邊緣」。同一項研究表明，化石燃料排放量已增加至歷史最高水準。 2024 年 7 月出現了有史以來最熱的 3 天，這一事實凸顯了這種增長。

All of this climate data points to the undeniable fact, that it's time for governments to take the initiative. Thankfully there are several approaches they have as options. Driving sustainability and renewability is at the core of this approach. From pushing for more EVs and alternative energy sources to taxing wasteful manufacturers, there are solutions worth following.

所有這些氣候數據都顯示了一個不可否認的事實：現在是政府採取主動行動的時候了。值得慶幸的是，他們有多種方法可供選擇。推動永續性和可再生性是該方法的核心。從推動更多的電動車和替代能源到對浪費的製造商徵稅，有一些值得遵循的解決方案。

Notably, there isn’t one option that can solve this problem. People will need to change their habits alongside technological advancements to achieve victory. One such tech, Carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) is seen as one of the best ways to help achieve these goals.

值得注意的是，沒有一種選擇可以解決這個問題。人們需要隨著技術進步而改變習慣才能取得勝利。其中一項技術——碳捕獲、使用和儲存（CCUS）被視為幫助實現這些目標的最佳方法之一。

Direct Air Capture – Current Methods

直接空氣捕獲—當前方法

Reducing carbon emissions is a priority for environmentalists globally. Notably, direct air capture is the most popular method of removing CO2 from the atmosphere. There are several ways that this process can be initiated. However, they all require the use of dangerous chemicals that leave byproducts, or an intense amount of energy is required to complete the extraction process.

減少碳排放是全球環保人士的首要任務。值得注意的是，直接空氣捕獲是去除大氣中二氧化碳的最受歡迎的方法。有多種方法可以啟動此過程。然而，它們都需要使用會留下副產品的危險化學品，或需要大量的能量來完成萃取過程。

The most popular methods use chemicals to bond carbon and oxygen atoms in the gas molecules to other compounds in purpose-selected liquids. The CO2 is introduced via a mixed gas stream of varying degrees and strengths to trap the dioxide molecules in the liquid. Once contained in the solutions, the CO2 extraction process begins.

最受歡迎的方法是使用化學物質將氣體分子中的碳原子和氧原子與特定液體中的其他化合物結合。透過不同程度和強度的混合氣流引入二氧化碳，以捕獲液體中的二氧化碳分子。一旦包含在溶液中，二氧化碳萃取過程就開始了。

The extraction process is the most energy-intensive part of the procedure. Depending on the gas options it can require multiple steps and highly specialized locations. The most common methods of extracting CO2 from the solvents involve heat, chemical reactions, or electrochemical processes. Additionally, the type of solvent used dictates the intensity and effectiveness of this approach.

提取過程是該過程中能源最密集的部分。根據氣體選項，可能需要多個步驟和高度專業化的地點。從溶劑中提取二氧化碳最常見的方法涉及熱、化學反應或電化學過程。此外，所用溶劑的類型決定了此方法的強度和有效性。

Amine-based Sorbents

胺基吸附劑

The most popular solution used for carbon capture is Amine-based sorbets. This solution is effective at trapping CO2 without using a lot of energy. However, the solution is unstable and toxic, resulting in additional risk and storage costs following the process.

用於碳捕獲的最流行的解決方案是胺基冰糕。此解決方案無需消耗大量能源即可有效捕捉二氧化碳。然而，該溶液不穩定且有毒，導致該過程後產生額外的風險和儲存成本。

Sodium and Potassium Hydroxide

氫氧化鈉和氫氧化鉀

Scientists have also introduced a less toxic approach that utilizes Sodium or potassium hydroxides as the trapping solvent. This strategy provides solid bonds between the CO2 and solvent atoms. The problem is that the bonds are so strong they require an enormous amount of heat to break, releasing the carbon. As such, this method is expensive and requires a lot of specialty equipment.

科學家也引入了一種毒性較小的方法，利用氫氧化鈉或氫氧化鉀作為捕獲溶劑。這種策略在二氧化碳和溶劑原子之間提供了牢固的鍵結。問題是這些鍵太牢固了，需要大量的熱量才能斷裂，釋放出碳。因此，這種方法成本昂貴並且需要大量專用設備。

Direct Air Capture PSE Reactor Study

直接空氣捕捉 PSE 反應器研究

Recognizing the limitations of these technologies and the clear demand for a more sustainable and easier-to-integrate solution. RICE University engineers went to work creating the first room temperature direct air capture device. The team published their findings in Nature Energy.

認識到這些技術的局限性以及對更可持續且更易於整合的解決方案的明確需求。萊斯大學的工程師開始著手創建第一個室溫直接空氣捕獲裝置。該團隊在《自然能源》雜誌上發表了他們的研究結果。

Source – RICE University

來源——萊斯大學

The report introduces the PSE (Porous Solid Electrolyte) reactor. This electrochemical regeneration device relies on electrical energy to separate carbon from the air rather than heat or other more expensive methods. The reactor described integrates a porous solid electrolyte layer, enabling researchers to optimize electrical inputs. These inputs dictate ion movement and mass transfer, ushering CO2 molecules away using current rather than chemicals.

報告介紹了PSE（多孔固體電解質）反應器。這種電化學再生裝置依靠電能從空氣中分離碳，而不是加熱或其他更昂貴的方法。所述反應器整合了多孔固體電解質層，使研究人員能夠優化電輸入。這些輸入決定離子運動和質量傳遞，使用電流而不是化學物質將二氧化碳分子帶走。

Direct Air Capture PSE Reactor Test Results

直接空氣捕捉 PSE 反應器測試結​​果

The reactor successfully proved it could remove CO2 without the need for heat. Its modular three-chambered structure allows the reactor to separate alkaline absorbent in one and high-purity carbon dioxide in the other. The team found that the reactor could selectively split NaHCO3/Na2CO3 solutions with 90% capture capacity. Impressively, the reactor only required a tiny amount of energy and proved to be resilient across different mixtures.

此反應器成功證明它可以在不需要加熱的情況下去除二氧化碳。其模組化三室結構使反應器能夠將鹼性吸收劑分離在一個室中，將高純度二氧化碳分離在另一個室中。研究團隊發現，該反應器可選擇性地分解NaHCO3/Na2CO3溶液，捕獲能力達90%。令人印象深刻的是，該反應器只需要少量的能量，並且被證明在不同的混合物中具有彈性。

Hydrogen Generation

氫氣產生

The report also found that the process can be used to cogenerate hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel is already in use to power a variety of items, heat homes, and much more. Hydrogen fuel cells can cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. It makes sense to add them to the team's overall goal of driving sustainability to new heights.

報告也發現該製程可用於聯產氫氣。氫燃料已用於為各種物品提供動力、為房屋供暖等。氫燃料電池可以清潔、有效率地發電。將它們添加到團隊將永續發展推向新高度的總體目標中是有意義的。

Benefits the Direct Air Capture PSE Reactor Brings to the Market

直接空氣捕捉 PSE 反應器為市場帶來的好處

This research brings a lot of benefits to the table. For one, the entire project relies on already available and tested technologies. This strategy makes the venture more practical. It’s easier to integrate, train new users, and innovate the process, as products like

這項研究為桌面帶來了許多好處。其一，整個專案依賴已經可用且經過測試的技術。這項策略使企業更加務實。整合、培訓新用戶和創新流程變得更加容易，例如