Award-winning cleantech firm takes an influential role in pioneering the African carbon capture project.
Kenya is leading the charge in climate change mitigation with Africa’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) and storage plant. An innovative project, named Project Hummingbird, is a collaboration between Washington-based cleantech firm Emissol and Kenyan climate-tech company Octavia Carbon.
The project aims to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere and store it permanently in Kenya’s Rift Valley basaltic rocks. It will then transform into solid minerals over time. By harnessing geothermal energy, which supplies 80% of the energy for this process, the African carbon capture project is setting new standards for cost-efficient and sustainable carbon removal.
What is Direct Air Capture? Direct Air Capture is a cutting-edge technology that extracts CO2 directly from the air. This CO2 can either be stored permanently underground or repurposed for various industrial applications. In Kenya, the captured CO2 will be stored in porous basaltic rocks, a process that leads to mineralization, effectively locking carbon away in a solid form.
The captured CO2 generates revenue through carbon credits sold to companies aiming to offset their emissions. This financial model supports the project’s sustainability and scalability.
Emissol, a cleantech company known for its innovative CO2 capture technologies, plays a crucial role in the African carbon capture project. Using its proprietary engineering models and analytical tools, Emissol is helping optimize Octavia Carbon’s DAC process.
These models simulate various aspects of CO2 capture, such as cycle dynamics, temperature response, and vacuum swing desorption. This ensures a more efficient and cost-effective system while reducing the time required for research and development.
Emissol’s technology includes an ultra-low pressure drop CO2 capture contactor. This device requires up to 60% fewer absorbents than traditional methods, further cutting costs and improving efficiency.
One of the key factors contributing to the success of this project is Kenya’s abundant geothermal energy. By using waste heat from geothermal sources, Octavia Carbon significantly reduces the energy costs associated with CO2 extraction.
This energy-efficient approach not only makes the process more affordable but also aligns with global goals for sustainable energy use in combating climate change.
The African carbon capture project is designed to set a global benchmark for cost-effective DAC technology. According to Emissol founder Dr. Mansour Masoudi, their collaboration with Octavia Carbon has accelerated the R&D process, making the DAC system deployment more efficient and less expensive.
Dr. Masoudi emphasized the broader potential of Emissol’s technology, which can be adapted for other industries requiring catalytic reactions and optimized processes. These advancements could reduce costs and improve efficiency across various applications, creating ripple effects in global carbon removal efforts.
Octavia Carbon CEO Martin Freimüller noted that contactor-based DAC systems have the potential to revolutionize the economics of carbon capture. By integrating Emissol’s advanced technology with Kenya’s geothermal resources, the project is poised to lead the global race for low-cost, scalable carbon removal solutions.
The African carbon capture project doesn’t just benefit the environment. It also has a significant impact on local communities. By creating jobs in engineering, construction, and operations, the project stimulates economic growth in Kenya.
Additionally, the use of local geothermal resources ensures that the project supports Kenya’s renewable energy sector, fostering long-term development and innovation.
So, it addresses the pressing issue of atmospheric CO2 and also opens doors for wider adoption of sustainable technologies worldwide.
Climate change affects everyone, and innovative projects like this aim to curb its impact. By developing cost-effective solutions, the African carbon capture project makes carbon removal more accessible, paving the way for a greener future.
With companies like Emissol and Octavia Carbon leading these efforts, individuals and businesses can look forward to more sustainable practices that protect the environment while supporting economic growth.
