China's CarbonBox Achieves Breakthrough in Direct Air Capture Technology: A Game Changer for CO2 Emissions and Green Fuel Synthesis

China's CarbonBox Achieves Breakthrough in Direct Air Capture Technology: A Game Changer for CO2 Emissions and Green Fuel Synthesis
Image credit: Xinhuanet 

CarbonBox, China's first independently developed direct air capture (DAC) facility, has successfully passed its reliability verification. A single module of this innovative system can capture over 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air annually, producing a 99 percent high-concentration CO2 product.

Developed by researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and China Energy Engineering Corporation, CarbonBox boasts an impressive annual CO2 capture capacity of 600 tonnes. This marks a significant milestone in China's DAC technology advancement.

DAC technology, including CarbonBox, uses low-carbon energy sources like wind, solar, or geothermal energy to capture CO2 from the air, achieving net negative CO2 emissions. This technology is emerging as a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.

CarbonBox features a capture unit and a processing unit, each the size of a shipping container, allowing for straightforward on-site installation. Ge Tianshu, a senior researcher at SJTU, explained that the facility’s configuration can be customized to meet specific engineering needs. Through standardized modular integration, the system's annual CO2 capture capacity can potentially reach one million tonnes.

The applications of CarbonBox extend beyond capturing CO2. It can also be used in green fuel synthesis, such as green methanol and green aviation fuel, and in carbon trading services. This versatility enhances its value in various sectors aiming to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainability.