Deliverables
Here we have the deliverables for this research project including the article summaries, experimental design diagram, proposal paper, proposal presentation, final paper, as well as the final presentation.
Article Summary One
This article details a study done on the effect of landfill gas collection efficiency on the oxidation factor of methane to produce an electrical energy output and reduce the effects of global warming. Using a waste profile for the city of Ibadan in Nigeria, the generation potential of the waste was calculated based on population. The LandGem software provided the landfill gas amounts of methane, and the predicted methane generation rates signaled a strong probability of electrical energy output. This value, 0.2028 billion m 3 /yr (2315m 3 /h), passing the threshold, confirmed experimental design of the study, and it allowed for conclusions to be drawn based on relationship between the oxidation factor and the generation potential. Optimum results were received with a maximum collection efficiency and a lower oxidation factor to be able to use the methane landfill gas to generate electricity. This form of geoengineering involves future research pertaining to possible hands-on modeling instead of a prediction software. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that are contributing to an increase the global temperature​
Article Summary Two
This article studies the removal of carbon dioxide from flue gas through membrane gas absorption technology. The study used a hollow fiber membrane contactor that utilized aqueous solutions of methyldiethanolamine + potassium glycinate (MDEA+PG) for the liquid absorption technology. The removal efficiency of the carbon dioxide as well as the mass transfer rate was then observed in relation to several factors, including membrane contactor length, liquid flow rate, gas flow rate and CO2 volume fraction. The results showed that CO2 removal efficiency increased with an increase in the membrane contactor length and liquid flow rate, with the mass transfer rate also increasing for the latter. Also, CO2 removal efficiency was shown to decrease when gas flow rate and CO2 volume fraction inlet increase, with the mass transfer rate directly increasing with the increase of CO2 volume fraction. In addition, a comparison of PG with monoethanolomin (MEA) as the additional absorbent liquid indicated that the hybrid solution of MDEA+PG was more effective than that of MDEA+MEA.
Article Summary Three
This paper focuses on the effect of direct air capture (DAC) technology on CO2 emission removal from the atmosphere, more specifically the Swiss firm, Climeworks’, integration of DAC technology in their solution for CO2 removal. In this method, direct air capture (also known as DAC) machines suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere through the use of amine adsorbents in small, molecular reactors. The carbon is then heated and stored underground by converting it to stone with technology from the company called Carbfix. This method of collection and its utilization are analyzed in this summary. Furthermore, the possible future implementation of similar research is discussed in relation to a project also based in direct ambient air capture.
Article Summary Four
According to this article, the idea of carbon capture storage is now being recognized as a potential climate change mitigation approach. Environmental advocacy groups heavily influence climate decisions made at political levels. Therefore, this article reviews the public perceptions of different approaches to mitigations of climate change. Most environmental organizations favor biological carbon storage over oceanic storage. However, a discussion of the relatively novel idea of geological storage is also taking place at the political level. There are many concerns discussing CCS taking away from other funds and efforts to support other technologies, and this article delves into some categories of those discussions.
Article Summary Five
This article studies several aspects of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and discusses its impacts. In addition to reviewing the process of capturing carbon in the atmosphere and storing it underground, the overall effectiveness of carbon removal on reducing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere was analyzed. The implementation of this technology by an organization in Illinois was also discussed, and further details on that specific company is included in the report. General costs of operation, public opinion, transportation issues, and the effectiveness of underground storage were also determined.
Proposal Paper
In an engineered direct capture system, carbon dioxide levels will be monitored and analyzed as a result of the system’s ability to chemically alter its environment. This proposed research is a response to the issue of increasing carbon dioxide emissions, potentially addressing its relevance to rising global temperatures. The system’s main component is the chemical reaction between sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide with the resultant chemicals of sodium carbonate and water. Ambient air will be taken into the system to be chemically altered and released back into the atmosphere. The chemical equation being used for reference is: 2NaOH + CO2 = Na2CO3 + H2O. A concentration of water will react with a given amount of powdered sodium hydroxide. This system will be tested in various locations with different variations to evaluate the versatility of the system’s abilities. A carbon dioxide level of 1000 ppm is deemed acceptable for most environments. Analysis of data will involve analytical tools available in the software corresponding with the carbon dioxide meter that collects the data. Additionally, an analysis of covariance will be performed between the varying qualities of the system, the varying locations, and the changes in the CO2 levels as a result. The results of this proposed research have the potential to introduce a novel method of carbon dioxide emission reduction.