Features
This section presents the features that are relevant to SOlDAC’s success.
Decentralisation
It is designed for autonomous operation, facilitated by a full solar spectrum generator. By adjusting the size of the solar generation unit, energy demand of SolDAC system and additional processes can be covered.
Modularity
All three units developed in SolDAC (solar harvesting, CO2 capture, and conversion) can be utilised separately or in combinations (pairs or fully integrated). This modularity ensures flexibility in accommodating different capacity requirements. Larger or smaller capacity needs can be met by replicating modular units, showcasing the scalability and versatility of the SolDAC concept.
Flexibility
SolDAC systems and components demonstrate flexibility on multiple levels. The direct air capture (DAC) unit, originally designed for processing diluted CO2 in the range of parts per million (ppm), can be modified with fewer beds and different materials to handle more concentrated streams. Additionally, driven by low-grade heat, the DAC unit can serve as a solution for heat recovery and utilization when integrated with low-temperature heat networks. Additionally, the integrated SolDAC system is adaptable in the conversion step, allowing the production to be tailored to desired chemicals or fuels by selecting appropriate electrocatalysts and operating conditions.
Net Zero CO2 emissions
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls for the introduction of effective negative emission technologies (NETs). Among the NETs options, DAC is regarded as the solution having the biggest carbon removal potential but is also the least known. The conversion of CO2 from the air into chemical building blocks or fuels, utilizing solely solar energy, has the potential to establish a Net Zero Emissions (NZE) technology. With proper dimensioning, carbon credits can be gained, compensating life-cycle emissions and thus achieving a negative emissions status.
