A startup in Nova Scotia is conducting a trial to develop a technique for capturing and storing more carbon in the ocean through a new pilot facility. The ocean has been a significant repository for excess carbon dioxide, having absorbed approximately 30% of human-induced carbon emissions since the 1980s.
pHathom, the company behind the initiative, aims to enhance the removal of emissions from the atmosphere by capturing carbon dioxide and transforming it into a stable form for long-term storage in the ocean. The initial testing of this method will take place at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, N.B.
Their process imitates a natural occurrence where raindrops absorb carbon dioxide from the air, becoming slightly acidic. When these raindrops encounter alkaline rocks like limestone, a portion of the rock dissolves, lowering the water’s acidity and converting the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate. This bicarbonate can then be stored in the ocean for thousands of years, preventing carbon dioxide from re-entering the atmosphere.
The company’s method involves replicating this natural process in a controlled environment. By exposing seawater to the emissions from a biomass power plant, the water becomes more acidic. The acidic water is then mixed with small limestone particles in a tank, converting the carbon dioxide into bicarbonate before being reintroduced into the ocean with the same pH level as regular seawater.
pHathom’s approach stands out for its utilization of highly concentrated carbon dioxide, making the process more effective. The pilot project aims to capture 0.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily, offering a scalable solution to address carbon emissions. The company plans to expand its testing to another site in Nova Scotia next year, integrating the reactor into a facility transitioning from fossil fuels to a biomass system.
While the potential of ocean alkalinity enhancement for carbon removal is promising, challenges such as energy consumption and scaling up the technology remain. Researchers emphasize the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels while exploring innovative carbon removal technologies to combat climate change effectively.
Despite the complexities and uncertainties in the carbon removal landscape, companies like pHathom are optimistic about contributing to global climate action. As research and development in this field progress, the aim is to have proven technologies ready to address the pressing challenges of climate change on a larger scale.
