Blog icon

Important information

The National AI Centre (NAIC) is transitioning from CSIRO to the Department of Industry, Science, and Resources (DISR) on 1st July 2024. You can find the latest NAIC content at industry.gov.au. For any NAIC-related questions, please email NAIC@industry.gov.au.

Challenge

Climate change is a global concern, associated with the rapid rise of the atmospheric CO2 concentration. To mitigate CO2 emissions, there are significant efforts in research and development for carbon removal, including in CO2 capture and separation both from the stationary sources with high CO2 concentrations (e.g. industry processes or power generation flue gas) as well as directly from the atmosphere. There are a number of different technologies that are currently deployed and also under investigation. However, these technologies are still quite energy-intensive or costly. Carbon removal as a part of a portfolio of approaches to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations is consistent with a strategy for achieving net zero, an objective to meet 1.5oC target in the Paris Agreement.

Solution

CarbonAssist is an inexpensive unit that captures carbon dioxide. It is readily deployable and has applications in heavy industries, food and beverage production, chemical manufacture, medical and construction.

We have developed a system which consists of a simple and readily-available two-part chemical mixture, placed in different units, which allows CO2 capture from different sources at low cost. The chemical mixture has a high affinity to CO2 . The units are designed to be modular which ensures versatility and scalability.

Value proposition

The technology has demonstrated the potential to capture CO2 from different emission sources as well as directly from air at very low costs (target <$50/t CO2).

Technology

The technology encompasses an engineering design and a novel chemical system. The chemical system is encapsulated within a unit which is a two-part solution that is readily manufactured at commercial scales. The chemical system has a longevity between 2 to 5 years depending on the application. There are 2 different designs which are focused on CO2 capture directly from air and industrial processes (pre and post combustion).

Applications

CarbonAssist can be applied to capturing CO2 directly from air and emissions from different sources such as flue gases from combustion. The captured CO2 can then be used to create value in existing and different industries such as medical, food and beverages, chemical, oil and gas and in cement manufacturing.

Intellectual property

We currently have four patents related to the chemical composition of the CO2 capturing system and the unit designs.

The team

Our team of researchers (chemists and engineers) have conducted laboratory experiments which identified the chemical system and evaluated its performance under a variety of accelerated ageing conditions. The team has also designed, and is currently piloting, a five tonne per year system at their facility. Larger CO2 capture units are currently being designed, constructed and will be deployed across different industrial sites, set to commence in 2021.

Could this technology provide you with a competitive edge?

Contact us to find out more about our licensing and investment options.

Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.


First name must be filled in

Surname must be filled in

I am representing *

Please choose an option

Please provide a subject for the enquriy

0 / 100

We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer

0 / 1900

You shouldn't be able to see this field. Please try again and leave the field blank.