Carbon Capture Technologies and Methods Essay (Literature Review) Popular Article Shuttle, A. (2020). Anew kind of battery that removes carbon doxide from the alr? Sciworthy. Main Points ‘The article describes a novel, potentially scalable carbon capture method that can help cut industrial greenhouse gas emissions. A key point addressed Is the climate change effects of fossil fuel combustion that can be mitigated through carbon dioxide (C02) sequestration technologies. Existing methods ae dificult te scale, energy infflelent, and designed for emissions wit over 10% C02 levels (Shuttle, 2020). The authors describe a battery built using a new technology ~ electro-swing~ ‘sorption, aps and releases pure CO? for storage in underground systoms or reuse in other applications such as, greenhouses. They explain thatthe device's anode and cathode are built from carbon nanatubes and polymerized with quinone ‘molecules, which, through the charge or discharge process, adsorb CO2 when reduced and release it when oxidized, The Unique aspects ofthis battery include its energy-efficient, durable, and scalable, can absor® or release trapped CO? for storage, and economically feasible Background Information Knowledge of greenhouse gases and how they trap solar radiation, making the planet habitable for allie, is required to Understand this article, Background informat by the reader about the human activities that cause shifts in atmospheric CO2, affecting climate and weather patterns, Is also crucial Knowledge of climate change~related increasing global temperatures, polar ice cap melting, catastrophic storms, wildlife species dectine, and rising sea levels would help understand the need for carbon capture initiatives, including the new technology described in the article. Information The popular press article outlined the tte of the original study reviewed and the authors’ names at the end, Also included were the institution to which the researchers are affliated and the funding organization. The article also directly referred to the ‘authors and the electro-swing absorption technology for carbon capture, With this information, it was possioleto search the original scientific article on the web to further analyze the topic. Additional Information ‘The article describes the battery's carbon capture mechanism as an oxidation(reduction cycle that involves an alternating electrode charge or discharge process. | would lke to see how gaining two electrons during reduction increases the selective absorptive capacity of the polyathraquinone cathode on charging. How is oxygen absorption by the quinone molecules avoided in this tacox reaction? Also, the regeneration ofthe bound CO2 requires further explanation Inccating the quinone Intermediates formed by adding CO2 (carboxylation) would be useful. Does increasing the voltage lovel elevate the amount of C02 produced by the battery? The authors state that the econemie feasibility of the method has been demonstrated through financial analysis. According to Shuttle (2020) It would cost $50-$100 to sequester one ton of CO2 using the novel technique However, cost-benefit analysis and comparisons with other technologies to establish the new method's superiotity are lacking, Author Credit ity The author of the article Is @ qualified and credible writer in the carbon capture research field, From his Linkedin profile, Adam ‘Shuttle is @ material science researcher focusing on electrocatalysis and related green solutions and writes on his sustainability blog, Professionally, ne has demonstrated laboratory experience, engaging n associate research with the Blue Marble Space Institute, He studies a Masters in Materials Science at the University of Oxford, Given his professionel background and research Interest in sustainable technologies, ! think the author was not biases but rather objective in reporting the new carbon capture technique. His article gives a balanced picture of the technology's CO? adsorption and release mechanism, Scholarly ArticleVoskian, S., Hatton, T. A. (2018), Faradaic electro-swing reactive adsorption for CO, capture. Energy & Environmental Science, 12, 3530-3547. Hypothesis The study tested the hypothesis that electrochemically charged parallel stacked systems with airflow channels can trap CO2 In 2 stream of exhaust gas or industrial ures. Another premise included in the article is that reversing an ESAs polarty would load 10 C02 release in @ mechanism analogous to temperature- and pressure-swing adsorption (TSA end PSA) operations (Voskian & Hatton, 2018). However, @null hypothesis isnot indicated inthis study. Type of Study ‘The authors used an experimental design to test the research hypothesis. Their approach entails describing the study materials, including the dichloro-1,4-enthraquinone polymer used in the CO2 capture and release technique. The sampling technique (no Participants involved) is not stated eight8-bed but the suppliers and specific reagent preparation steps are provided. The study Involved a laboratory experiment type, which ensured accurate measurements ofthe variables under controlled conditions. Benefits and Drawbacks ‘laboratory experiment has advantages over other study designs and approaches. The highly controled environment allows the researcher to determine cause-effect relationships accurately ~ confounding effects and bias can be removed. Additionally, the internal validity of experimental researen is high due to the robust design. A major drawback ofthis method isthe limited externa validity of these studies when human subjects are Involved. People are likely to behave differently in real ife versus laboratory settings, making I dificult to generalize results. Also, ethical concerns limit the usefulness of experimental designs involving humans. Variables Measured Electrochemical measurements were conducted to determine the effectiveness ofthe elect 1des in trapping CO2. In this regard, the researchers measured two polyvinylferrocene-caroon nanotubes (PVFe-CNT) current and potential (vokage) or CV ‘anc 002 moles captured and released per cycle (dependent variables) by nitrogen- or CO2-satursted (independent variables) PVFe-CNT electrodes. Pressure changes in the electrochemical chamber were also measured as an effect of CO? adsorption ang desorption. ‘Sample Size ‘The research tested 3 CO2 capture and release system using gas mixtures (carbon dloxide and ritrogen), As the study was a lab experiment, no human or animal subjects were sampled. Therefore, determining whether or not the sample size is @ good representation ofthe larger population may not be practical for the research review. However, adequate measurements of the variables = nitrogen and C02 saturation = were made to assess the postulated effect. Assumptions ‘The experiment followed standard procedures and tests and had some technical assumptions. The PvFe-CNT anode was separately saturated with N2 and CO2, ast was assumed that a difference in the curtent response would be detected. An assumption made when measuring the rate of CO2 adsorption was thatthe charging of quinones was in balance with CO2 levels at any point ofthe charging process. Use of Statistics Measurement data were used to determine tne efficacy of the CO2 capture and release technology. The statistical test used in analyzing the adsorptive effectiveness of the system was the mass transfer governing equations. Current results were modeled at three CO2 levels of 0, 2, and 5% to determine the optimal charging method (Voskian & Matton, 2018). Figure 1 below shows the simulated C02 concentration (50%) profiles, with optimal adsorption, reached 8-bed volumes,lecvode Gaschanel F ound [i co. qurere Milreee “00512457 8 10 Figure 1: Breakthrough profiles simulated at 50% CO2 concentration (vskian& Maton, 2019) Main Conclusions ‘The authors conclude that ESA can mediate carboxylation, trapping C02 in emissions through redox-active molecules. Their ‘main findings are thatthe technique effectively absorbs CO2 at concentrations found in fuel combustion fumes (around 10%), ang it can reach 7000 adsorption cycles at minimal energy (Vosklan & Hatton, 2019). The implication is that incorporating the new electrode compounds (quinones) that differentially adsorb carbon dioxide depending on their oxidative state into applications would ensure a higher C02 adsorptive capacity than that of PSA and TSA systems. Inmy view, the results are adequate to artive atthe study's conclusions. To demonstrate the efficiency of thelr CO2 capture system, the researchers measured quinone consumption, energy efficiency, and bed utllzation through a series of experiments Further, thase adsorption characteristics were compared with thase of the PSA and TSA operations to establish that ESA is @ better technique, The C02 release rate and higher adsorption cycles support the conclusions made. Improving the Study ‘The research involved closed system experiments in measuring the technology's CO2 adsorption capacty. Gas mixes (N2 and C02) were also teste, but oxygen was not included. | would improve this experiment by using an air mixture enriched with ifferent CO2 concentrations to test the systems efficiency in capturing and relessing carbon dioxide. | would also inchide other adsorbent compounds besides quinones in the experimental tests Identified Items Selection bias is lacking inthis article because no human or animal subjects were sampled. The experiment involved testing @ 602 capture method based on standard laboratory protocols. Participation bias, which results fram non-response, is also not applicable to this study, 2s no human subjects were involved. The MIT Energy native Seed Fund grant sponsored the research, There is no funding bas since the researchers retained proprietary rights to the'r innovation and plan to commercialize it through a startup, Verdox. ‘The researchers tested the battery at different N2 and CO2 saturation rates to determine the optimal carbon dioxide capture Conditions. They based their study on scientific premises but aid not influence the results to ft a preconceived model. ‘Therefore, there is no evidence of confirmation bas in the study. The article was peer-reviewed, as the Energy and Environmental Science journal only publishes scientifically valid findings reviewed by experts, The effect of confounding factors Was minimized using N2 end CO2 saturated electrodes and measuring the adsorption and release levels. Adcitionally, the ‘experiments were conducted in closed systems (controlled conditions) to eliminate confounders. ‘The popular article ‘The popular article could benefit trom adaitional information ralated to experimental design and measurements, | would ada ‘material on the battery model and variables measured ~ CV and CO2 moles~to enlighten the reader about the study's findings. ‘Another important addition would be the CO2 adsorption an desorption measurement. The popular aticle could be strengthened of made clearer to the reader by including graphical analyses comparing the variables measured and pictures of the new battery. Asa result the public will understand its design and potential applications, Readers could better understand the carbon capture topic if the popular article include dltsilea information about the greenhouse effect and its relevance tothe carbon cycle. Further, an explanation establishing the lik between anthropogenic activities and the rising atmospheric CO2 Would be useful. review of PSA and TSA systems would expose readers to different approaches to carbon capture and the progress and promising innovations inthis area References ‘Shuttle, A. (2020), & new kind of battery that cemoves carbon dioxide from the alr? Sciworthy. Voskian, 5, & Hatton, T. A. (2016), Zaradaicelectro-swing reactive adsorption for CO» capture. Energy & Environmental Science, 12, 3530-3847,