A UK startup is going to capture and filter CO2 directly from the air. It claims its technology for this is as much as three times as efficient as state-of-the-art alternatives.
Mission Zero Technologies announces it has switched on its first 'direct air capture' (DAC) system. The system was built in Sheffield, UK, at the University of Sheffield. The DAC system is owned by the university's Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), which conducts research on renewable energy sources.
50 tonnes of CO2 on an annual basis
The facility should filter around 50 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere on an annual basis. It does this using water and solar energy generated locally. It puts the CO2 that Mission Zero Technologies captures with its technology into the production of sustainable jet fuel.
The start-up hopes to certify its sustainable jet fuel for use in the aviation industry in the near future. In this way, it aims to quickly scale up and support the decarbonisation of the UK aviation sector.
Supporting transition to sustainable jet fuel
Mission Zero Technologies is thus supporting an important UK climate target. For instance, the UK government has set itself the goal that by 2030, 10% of all fuel used in the UK aviation sector should be so-called renewable aviation fuel. With the project, Mission Zero Technologies aims to demonstrate to stakeholders including funders that its technology is ready to be scaled up.
In time, Mission Zero Technologies hopes that its DAC systems can also support decarbonisation in other fossil fuel-dependent industries. It is therefore committed to developing a versatile solution that can be easily deployed in any location, integrated into any process and also scalable to any size. Two additional DAC systems are scheduled to be commissioned in 2024.
'Discovering potential for low-carbon air transport'
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, managing director of TERC, added: "This installation is hugely exciting for us and for the world, as we discover more about the potential for low-carbon industrial processes and air transport using new DAC technology. We are excited to work closely with MZT (ed: Mission Zero Technologies) on this project and other industry-leading activities."
"We are very pleased to be working with the University of Sheffield to deliver our very first homegrown DAC plant. DAC is a multifunctional technology that can achieve deep industrial decarbonisation and permanent carbon removal. Through a pioneering partnership, we are already realising that potential," explained Dr Nicholas Chadwick, CEO of Mission Zero Technologies.
DAC was previously recognised globally by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a crucial technology for humanity to meet its 1.5°C commitments.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Mission Zero Technologies
