Carbon Capture Case Study: PMBRC Technology Gateway Works with NEG8 Carbon to Test Sorbent
This carbon capture case study was written by Niall O’Reilly, Centre Director of PMBRC, SETU
Profile of NEG8 Carbon
NEG8 Carbon develops Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology that extracts carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere with its unique Electrostatic DAC system to reverse the effects of global warming.
The NEG8 Carbon team of specialist engineers and scientists are developing Direct Air Capture technology that is efficient and affordable and therefore scalable for mass deployment. The company originated as a spin-out from carbon capture research conducted at Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, and has set a goal of capturing 100 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2050 at less than €100/tonne CO₂.
How the PMBRC Gateway Helped NEG8 Carbon
At the heart of NEG8 Carbon’s DAC technology is its specifically designed sorbent that attracts and captures CO₂ molecules. The physico-chemical properties of this sorbent affects the performance of the DAC technology and a thorough characterisation of the sorbent at each stage of the development is essential.
The PMBRC Technology Gateway helped NEG8 Carbon to do this by using techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, surface area analysis, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
In addition, the dynamic vapour sorption equipment in the PMBRC labs allowed NEG8 to investigate the water sorption behaviour of their sorbent. This is a critical consideration as water molecules in the atmosphere can impact CO2 adsorption kinetics and capacity. Studying this behaviour at different humidity and temperatures allowed NEG8 to optimise the performance of their technology.
Impact for NEG8 Carbon
By teaming up with the PMBRC Technology Gateway, NEG8 Carbon were able to access high-end research equipment without incurring high capital costs, thereby allowing them to focus their investment of technology development. In addition, NEG8 were able to access the technical expertise of academic and research staff in the PMBRC to help with experimental design and result interpretation.
Dr John Breen, NEG8 Carbon’s Chief Technology Officer, said:
“PMBRC’s on-going research support has been tremendously important in allowing NEG8 Carbon to gain a greater understanding of the performance of our existing sorbents and in the development of new sorbent formulations. The access to first class research equipment and technical support on our door step has allowed NEG8 to accelerate technology development without the cost of ownership of high tech analytical equipment.”
For more:
- Direct Air Capture Cost Compared to Cost of Inaction on Climate Change
- Hard to Abate Industries and the Decarbonization Challenge
- What is the Value of a Carbon Credit?
- Biochar Carbon Sequestration vs Direct Air Capture