A Carbon Capture and Utilization Process for the Production of Solid Carbon Materials from Atmospheric CO₂ - Part 1:...

Area of Science:

• Chemical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Growing demand for solid carbon products.
• Environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel extraction and utilization.
• Need for sustainable carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel process for converting atmospheric CO2 into solid carbon.
• To evaluate the performance of the methanation and methane pyrolysis steps in this conversion process.
• To provide a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil-based solid carbon production.

Main Methods:

• Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2.
• Methanation of CO2 with hydrogen to produce methane.
• Methane pyrolysis in a bubble column reactor with liquid tin to produce solid carbon and hydrogen.
• Thermodynamic analyses and reaction modeling.
• Pneumatic conveying for continuous removal of solid carbon.

Main Results:

• Successful operation of a CO2 to solid carbon conversion process.
• Generation of methane-rich gas mixtures via methanation.
• Production of solid carbon powder and hydrogen via methane pyrolysis.
• Experimental results validated by thermodynamic analyses and reaction modeling.

Conclusions:

• The described process offers a viable pathway for producing solid carbon from atmospheric CO2.
• This technology presents a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based solid carbon production methods.
• Further analysis of the solid carbon product is detailed in a subsequent publication.