Catalyst with Shayle Kann

CO2 utilization

May 2, 2024

Julio Friedmann, Chief scientist at Carbon Direct, discusses the need to capture CO2 for global warming. Topics include carbon capture facilities, uses for CO2 like concrete and fizzy water, emerging chemical uses, challenges of local opposition to carbon infrastructure, and the green premium for products made with recycled carbon.

46:53

Episode guests

Julio Friedmann

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The markets for using CO2 in products like concrete and chemicals will play a crucial role in developing the carbon management economy.

Graphene, produced by converting CO2, has significant potential in industries like aviation for decarbonization.

Deep dives

CO2 Conversion into Valuable Graphene Material

Graphene, a super structured, super light, super durable, super electrically conductive material, can be produced by converting CO2. While the process exists in laboratories, challenges remain in spinning it into usable fiber. The application of graphene in industries like aviation for decarbonization presents significant potential.

Introduction

3min

The Future of CO2 Capture and Utilization

12min

Exploring CO2 Utilization Pathways for Economic and Environmental Benefits

5min

Navigating the Transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuels

10min

Unlocking CO2 Utilization Potential in Various Markets

13min

Challenges and Solutions for CO2 Infrastructure Development

6min

The IPCC says that we likely need to capture hundreds of gigatons of CO2 if we want to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. So what are we going to do with all that carbon?

In this episode, Shayle talks to Julio Friedmann, chief scientist at Carbon Direct. Julio says we will store the vast majority of that CO2. But the markets for using CO2 in things like concrete, fizzy water, and chemicals will play an important role in developing the carbon management economy. Shayle and Julio cover topics like:

The roughly 50 carbon capture facilities operating today and how much carbon they capture
Why we should recycle carbon at all when we could just store it
Current uses for CO2, like fizzy water, enhanced oil recovery, and concrete
Emerging chemical uses, like jet fuel, ethanol, urea, and methanol
Substituting glass and metal with products that use recycled carbon, like polycarbonate and carbon fiber
The “over the horizon” stuff, like making space elevators from graphene
Solving the challenge of local opposition to carbon infrastructure
Who will pay the green premium for products made with recycled carbon

Recommended Resources:

Center on Global Energy Policy: Opportunities and Limits of CO2 Recycling in a Circular Carbon Economy: Techno-economics, Critical Infrastructure Needs, and Policy Priorities

Canary Media: US Steel plant in Indiana to host a $150M carbon capture experiment

NBC: Biden admin seeks to jumpstart carbon recycling with $100 million in grants

Are growing concerns over AI’s power demand justified? Join us for our upcoming Transition-AI event featuring three experts with a range of views on how to address the energy needs of hyperscale computing, driven by artificial intelligence. Don’t miss this live, virtual event on May 8.

Catalyst is supported by Origami Solar. Join Latitude Media’s Stephen Lacey and Origami’s CEO Gregg Patterson for a live Frontier Forum on May 30th at 1 pm Eastern to discuss Origami’s new research on how recycled steel can help reinvigorate the U.S. solar industry. Register for free on Latitude’s events page.