DACLab Aims to Lower Direct Air Capture Costs with Novel System
SAN FRANCISCO - daclab, a carbon capture startup, is pursuing a strategy to reduce the energy demands and costs associated with direct air capture (DAC) technology. The company’s approach, adapted from industrial carbon capture designs, separates the CO2 capture and release processes, utilizing solid sorbents requiring heat around 70°C for release – lower than the 80°C to 120°C typically needed, and substantially less than liquid sorbents.
DACLab’s technology originated from a partnership between TU wien in Austria and Shell, resulting in a point-source carbon capture unit that operated for nearly three years and was, at the time, the largest in Austria. The startup has as modified the technology for direct air capture.
Currently, DACLab offers a unit capable of capturing 100 metric tons of CO2 per year for under $500,000.Plans are underway to build larger units with capacities of 1,000 and 5,000 metric tons per year, slated for deployment in Washington state and Kenya, respectively.
A key focus for daclab is energy efficiency. The company aims to reduce energy consumption to less than 1,000 kWh per metric ton, wich they project would allow them to capture carbon dioxide for $250 per metric ton.
“We’re not going to be one of those director capture companies that promise you that we are going to reach $100 per [metric] ton today,” said DACLab’s representative, Bhandari. “hopefully we can reboot this much needed industry, as it is indeed filled with a lot of, I would say, empty promises.”
Experts estimate DAC will require around 2,000 kWh of total energy (heat and electricity). DACLab intends to target customers including oil and gas companies, carbon project developers, and e-fuel manufacturers.
