What is DAC + Storage?

Direct Air Capture

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is carbon removal technology that pulls excess carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere through the use of machinery (fans) or minerals (limestone) that draw in carbon CO2  like a sponge for safe and permanent storage underground,

Unlike carbon capture, which catches CO2 from a point source like a factory or power plant and prevents emissions from entering the atmosphere, DAC removes CO2 that has already been emitted into the atmosphere.

 

 

History

First imagined in the late 1990s, significant technological strides were made throughout the 2000s to implement DAC as a legitimate carbon removal process and advance its potential as a thriving industry with deep economic opportunity:

 

How it Works

Project Cypress will deploy two types of DAC technology from leading developers Climeworks and Heirloom across two Louisiana facilities.

Climeworks will serve as the technology lead for Project Cypress Southwest (Calcasieu Parish), while Heirloom will serve as the technology lead for Project Cypress Northwest (Caddo Parish)

 

Climeworks DAC Technology

  1. Air is drawn into carbon dioxide (CO2) collector with a fan
  2. CO2 is captured on the surface of a highly selective filter material 
  3. Collector closes once material is full of CO2
  4. Material is heated to 210°F
  5. CO2 is stored underground 

 

Heirloom DAC Technology

  1. Limestone is laid on vertically stacked trays
  2. Limestone acts like a sponge and absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere 
  3. Limestone is heated in a renewable-energy-powered kiln to remove CO2
  4. CO2 is stored permanently underground

 

How is CO2 Stored?

CO2 storage – also known as sequestration – is the process of storing captured CO2 deep underground in highly-regulated and strictly permitted Class VI wells, which are strong underground reservoirs capable of holding CO2 safely and permanently. 

 

Why Louisiana?