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Coupling Desalination with Novel mCDR Membranes

Desalination plants have potential to integrate electrochemical stripping of carbon dioxide from the water as a marine carbon dioxide removal approach. Credit: Luciano Santandfreu (Shutterstock)
  • Principal Investigator(s): Katherine Hornbostel
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023

Why we care
Large-scale marine carbon dioxide removal methods will require lots of infrastructure to move and process seawater, which could make them prohibitively expensive. This project examines a novel approach that leverages existing desalination infrastructure to minimize the cost of removing CO2 from seawater. This could make marine carbon dioxide removal a more cost-competitive and energy-efficient option to complement direct air capture approaches for large-scale CO2 removal from the environment.  

What we will do
The research team will work with existing desalination membranes to enable them to remove CO2 from seawater while producing fresh drinking water. The team will investigate two different promising chemical groups that can be attached to the surface of desalination membranes to make CO2 bubble out of the seawater when it reaches the membrane. The team will perform a combination of experiments, prototyping, modeling, and technoeconomic assessment to determine which types of membranes and surface groups will result in the most cost-effective system.

Benefits of our work
This work will lay the foundation for an approach to couple marine carbon dioxide removal with desalination for large-scale, cost-effective marine carbon dioxide removal. It’s an approach “that could potentially be scaled up quickly in the near future by leveraging existing desalination infrastructure” says Dr. Katherine Hornbostel, principal investigator at the University of Pittsburgh.

Award amount: $1,403,802.00
Funding source(s): Office of Naval Research 
Project duration: 2 years

Investigators
Katherine Hornbostel, University of Pittsburgh
Matthew Green, Arizona State University (ASU)
Mou Paul, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Abhishek Roy,  National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Jennifer Yang, University of California, Irvine (UCI)

Image:  Desalination plants have potential to integrate electrochemical stripping of carbon dioxide from the water as a marine carbon dioxide removal approach. Credit: Luciano Santandfreu (Shutterstock)

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ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint >

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

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TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action