A mechanical tree capable of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere would be an effective tool for efforts against climate change. The system, developed by the Swedish company Climeworks, is up to thousands of times more efficient at capturing carbon than natural trees.
According to Klaus Lackner, a professor at Arizona State University (ASU) who is at the forefront of the mechanical tree, Climeworks is a pioneer in the direct capture of air for carbon removal and its safe storage.
He explained that the system is formed by vertical columns where discs coated with chemical resin, one and a half meters in diameter, are stacked five centimeters apart. As air passes through these disks, carbon is absorbed by their surface. Within 20 minutes, the disks become heavy with CO2 and sink into a barrel at the base of the structure. “We send water and steam to release the CO2 indoors,” added Lackner.
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Geoengineering solutions
Last year, Climeworks received $2.5 million in funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to develop its mechanical tree system in the country.
At the time, the company planned to build three farms that could each absorb up to 1,000 tons of CO2 a day. Apparently, the first will be opened in April this year.
Another strength of the mechanical tree is the low energy requirement it requires when compared to other geoengineering projects. In addition, it not only captures carbon, it also stores it securely.
Still, Lackner highlighted that the technology is still under development and, therefore, adjustments are still needed in partnership with the DOE for the service to be implemented on a national scale and at an affordable price.
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