Simple Filter Nabs 90% of Emissions

Researchers at the University of Wyoming have made a suspiciously poorly covered discovery, considering its significance: They have figured out how to “scrub” out almost all (90%) of the CO2 emissions from power plants, cheaply. I mean... that’s cool!

Scrubbers are air pollution machines that treat emissions to filter out various chemicals. They have mostly been used to control sulfur dioxide, mercury and hydrochloric acid so far. They work in different ways depending on the chemical, but often spray another compound onto the exhaust stream that reacts with the undesirable chemical. The reaction may produce a solid or liquid that then falls to the ground rather than evaporating. So, scrubbing only in the metaphorical sense.

The Wyoming researchers are looking to use a carbon filter, a relatively traditional form of filtering. A carbon filter is toxin cleanup 101, a cousin to the type of thing you use to filter your fish tank’s water. The UW’s system employs simpler, low pressure (literally) machinery that results in a drastic cost reduction compared to systems that require pressurization. They expect their process to cost $20/ton, a steal when it comes to CO2 reduction when other techniques can cost double that.

Although the idea of using a carbon filter to filter carbon(dioxide) seems redundant, it is such a basic form of filtration that I am surprised that no one tried this earlier. Perhaps we are overthinking solutions when it comes to global warming. In any case, go UW for back to basics innovation everyone else seems to have overlooked. 

Christian Science Monitor for more.