新的直接空气捕获方法可以使世界更接近实现净零碳排放

莱斯大学的创新工程师团队凭借其最新研发成果，在碳捕集行业实现了一个重要里程碑

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.

莱斯大学的创新工程师团队凭借其最新开发成果，在碳捕获行业取得了一个重大里程碑，可能会彻底改变市场。研究人员成功创建了一种电化学反应器，可以以无与伦比的效率增强从大气中捕获碳，并且不会产生有害副产物。以下是这种新的直接空气捕获方法如何使世界在未来实现净零碳排放更近了一步。

Emissions Reach New Heights Resulting in Climate Disasters

排放量达到新高度导致气候灾难

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.

《生物科学》杂志发表的一份研究当前气候状况的报告发现，世界“正处于一场不可逆转的气候灾难的边缘”。同一项研究表明，化石燃料排放量已增加至历史最高水平。 2024 年 7 月出现了有史以来最热的 3 天，这一事实凸显了这种增长。此外，多个地区的海面温度在 2024 年创下了新纪录。

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.

所有这些气候数据都表明了一个不可否认的事实：现在是政府采取主动行动的时候了。值得庆幸的是，他们有多种方法可供选择。推动可持续性和可再生性是该方法的核心。从推动更多的电动汽车和替代能源到对浪费的制造商征税，有一些值得遵循的解决方案。

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，没有一种选择可以解决这个问题。人们需要随着技术进步而改变习惯才能取得胜利。其中一项技术——碳捕获、使用和储存（CCUS）被视为帮助实现这些目标的最佳方法之一。

Direct Air Capture – Current Methods

直接空气捕获——当前方法

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.

减少碳排放是全球环保人士的首要任务。值得注意的是，直接空气捕获是去除大气中二氧化碳的最流行的方法。有多种方法可以启动此过程。然而，它们都需要使用会留下副产品的危险化学品，或者需要大量的能量来完成提取过程。

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.

最流行的方法是使用化学物质将气体分子中的碳原子和氧原子与特定液体中的其他化合物结合起来。通过不同程度和强度的混合气流引入二氧化碳，以捕获液体中的二氧化碳分子。一旦包含在溶液中，二氧化碳提取过程就开始了。

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.

提取过程是该过程中能源最密集的部分。根据气体选项，可能需要多个步骤和高度专业化的地点。从溶剂中提取二氧化碳的最常见方法涉及热、化学反应或电化学过程。此外，所用溶剂的类型决定了该方法的强度和有效性。

Amine-based Sorbents

胺基吸附剂

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.

用于碳捕获的最流行的解决方案是胺基冰糕。该解决方案无需消耗大量能源即可有效捕集二氧化碳。然而，该溶液不稳定且有毒，导致该过程后产生额外的风险和存储成本。

Sodium and Potassium Hydroxide

氢氧化钠和氢氧化钾

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.

科学家们还引入了一种毒性较小的方法，利用氢氧化钠或氢氧化钾作为捕获溶剂。这种策略在二氧化碳和溶剂原子之间提供了牢固的键。问题是这些键太牢固了，需要大量的热量才能断裂，释放出碳。因此，这种方法成本昂贵并且需要大量专用设备。

Direct Air Capture PSE Reactor Study

直接空气捕获 PSE 反应器研究

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.

认识到这些技术的局限性以及对更可持续且更易于集成的解决方案的明确需求。莱斯大学的工程师开始着手创建第一个室温直接空气捕获装置。该团队在《自然能源》杂志上发表了他们的发现。

Source – RICE University

来源——莱斯大学

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.

报告介绍了PSE（多孔固体电解质）反应器。这种电化学再生装置依靠电能从空气中分离碳，而不是加热或其他更昂贵的方法。所述反应器集成了多孔固体电解质层，使研究人员能够优化电输入。这些输入决定离子运动和质量传递，使用电流而不是化学物质将二氧化碳分子带走。

Direct Air Capture PSE Reactor Test Results

直接空气捕获 PSE 反应器测试结果

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.

该反应器成功证明它可以在不需要加热的情况下去除二氧化碳。其模块化三室结构使反应器能够将碱性吸收剂分离在一个室中，将高纯度二氧化碳分离在另一个室中。研究小组发现，该反应器可以选择性地分解NaHCO3/Na2CO3溶液，捕获能力达到90%。令人印象深刻的是，该反应堆只需要少量的能量，并且被证明在不同的混合物中具有弹性。

Hydrogen Generation

氢气产生

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.

报告还发现该工艺可用于联产氢气。氢燃料已用于为各种物品提供动力、为房屋供暖等。氢燃料电池可以清洁、高效地发电。将它们添加到团队将可持续发展推向新高度的总体目标中是有意义的。

Benefits the Direct Air Capture PSE Reactor Brings to the Market

直接空气捕获 PSE 反应器给市场带来的好处

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

这项研究给桌面带来了很多好处。其一，整个项目依赖于已经可用且经过测试的技术。这一战略使企业更加务实。集成、培训新用户和创新流程变得更加容易，例如