Mar 17 2010
Global Research Technologies (GRT) and Columbia University have entered into a global research partnership and cross-licensing agreement for a technology that will help to extract and capture atmospheric carbon dioxide.
At present, only plants are capable of capturing large amounts of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Attempts to capture manmade carbon dioxide, which are released mainly from burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal from the air are not yet commercially viable, but has great potential. In an attempt to reduce the rate of new greenhouse gas emissions, regulators and policy makers are promoting greener building codes and stricter mileage standards. Substantial support to carbon capture at originating sources such coal plants are also provided by them.
The new carbon capture technology called “synthetic tree” utilizes proprietary resins and processes to extract carbon dioxide from air. The technology that is to be commercialized by GRT, absorbs carbon dioxide thousand times quicker than the natural trees. The synthetic trees during the process of carbon capture consume minimum energy. The lifespan of the synthetic trees are anticipated to be 15 years.
William Gridley, GRT CEO, said by entering current carbon dioxide markets with this technology, the company can build climate management technologies required for future. The company considers the air capture technology as economically competitive that complements other carbon capture technologies that are being developed. According to Gridley, up to one ton of carbon dioxide can be captured by initial units at a price of less than $100 per ton carbon dioxide captured from air. The initial units are due for release in two years. The diluted captured gas can be used for applications such as nutrient for algae farms, greenhouses, for drink carbonation, and to make dry ice. The company intends sell the gas for these markets as well as for other niche markets.
Source: www.grtaircapture.com