Breakthrough Technologies to Combat Climate Change
Technologies being implemented by companies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions industrially.
Photo Source: ITU
In a recent sustainable planet article, we discussed the Kigali Amendment, which aims to avoid up to a 0.5°C increase in global temperature by the end of the century. However, the Paris Agreement’s original prediction of a 1.5°C increase is underestimated by the United Nations’ prediction of a 2.5°C increase.
So, what can we do to help achieve climate goals?
It will take more than simply saving water and using less gas. Carbon dioxide is emitted daily in everything from fertilizers to steel mills. Here are some breakthrough technologies that companies are implementing to make a change.
1. Direct Reduction Plants
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) is the direct reduction of solid iron by carbon monoxide and hydrogen derived from natural gas or coal. DR plants run on gas, and when hydrogen is used, these plants can work emission-free. Instead of producing liquid pig iron, they produce solid sponger iron. This technology is already being implemented, and Thyssenkrupp Steel aims to take DR plants to an industrial scale in 2024.
2. Carbon2Chem
When gases are emitted in the production of steel, they can be transformed into valuable raw materials. The goal of Carbon2Chem is to convert gases into base chemicals, which can be used for fertilizers, plastics and fuels. This process won’t remove all gas emissions, but it will reduce them significantly and turn them into resources. Turning this technology into a large-scale industrial solution is expected to take about 15 years, and 50 steel mills globally have already been deemed eligible for Carbon2Chem.
3. Hydrogen Power
Hydrogen power is key to a renewable energy transition. The use of hydrogen and water electrolysis helps avoid CO2 emissions, which is why this method is critical to reaching the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. For more information on how hydrogen power will help reduce CO2 emissions, check out our latest article on the topic.
4. Oxyfuel
CO2 emissions are heavily released in cement production, which comes from the combustion of fossil fuels and the decomposition of limestone. One solution for this is Oxyfuel, which aims to eliminate exhaust gas circulation. Pure oxygen is added to the process, which eliminates the need for atmospheric nitrogen and produces pure CO2. Because the pure CO2 is highly concentrated, it can be separated, which allows the climate-damaging CO2 to be captured before entering the atmosphere.
Despite strong efforts to combat climate change, there are large activities, such as steel and cement production, that emit CO2 daily. While we can’t eliminate these activities, we can take action to reduce the emissions and damages created by these processes.
Best,
Ariana for the Don’t Count Us Out Yet Team