Arresting Climate Change

Name: Arresting Climate Change
Rating: 4.4 (139 reviews)

A Blueprint Towards Sustainability

Created byJohn Hoaglund

Last updated 3/2024

English

What you'll learn

Understand sources of CO2 in our economy, not only from energy and transportation, but other industries
What Carbon Sequestration is and how DAC (direct air capture) is different than FSC (flue stack capture)
Understand the Earth's carbon cycle and learn how the Earth sequestered carbon from its high concentrations in the Earths original atmosphere
Why there is an energy penalty with all forms of carbon sequestration
How desalination can be coupled with carbon mineralization to eliminate CO2 and brine disposal, store energy, and reduce salination of groundwater

Course content

2 sections • 14 lectures • 1h 54m total length

What is carbon sequestration?3:51
We introduce the subject of carbon sequestration, what it is, and why we're interested in doing this to address climate change. We then learn there are two main categories of carbon sequestration: direct air capture (DAC) where carbon already in the atmosphere is removed from ambient air, and flue stack capture (FSC) where carbon from an industrial process is sequestered before it is released to the atmosphere.
The Earth's Carbon Cycle9:05
Preliminary carbon regulations are using carbon offsets, sequestering carbon by producing biotic carbon by growing forests or wetlands, in exchange for an industry's permitted emission of carbon. The problem is that the sequestration in biotic carbon is only temporary: carbon is only removed when the forest or wetland is growing, then its net photosynthesis comes into balance with its net respiration, and ultimately the carbon is re-released with death and decay of the biota. This provides only temporary carbon sequestration. The final sink for carbon within the Earth's carbon cycle is as buried organic carbon (coal, oil, natural gas, clathrate) or as carbon mineralized on the sea floor (carbonate mineral).
Other Industrial sources of carbon6:50
Carbon emissions are usually assumed to be associated with transportation or energy production. But there are other industrial sources of carbon emissions including among others the Haber Bosch process for ammonia production, steel, hydrogen production from steam reforming natural gas, and cement.
Stopping a Train with Our Heels?7:35
There is an energy penalty to all carbon sequestration methods. The entropy of the carbon state is maximized in the CO2 molecule, which is the compound form of carbon that is energetically the most stable. Thus it takes energy to do something useful with carbon, even just concentrating it. The manmade component of CO2 in the atmosphere represents the energy removal from carbon compounds through the whole industrial history of humanity. Thus it's daunting to think of the scale of the carbon sequestration problem. However, we must develop the techniques for doing the processes while entering an age of abundant, clean energy (controlled nuclear fusion). Many of the carbon sequestration processes can be aligned with expenditures of energy we already incur in industry.
DAC vs FSC: Getting HCO3 to the Ocean7:10
Whether performing DAC or FSC, if carbon is reacted with a base it forms bicarbonate (HCO3). This can be further reacted to form carbonate mineral OR it can be directly discharged (if pure) into groundwater or surface water bodies as a naturally beneficial acid neutralizer and pH buffer. Rivers will take HCO3 to the oceans where it is taken up into both microscopic and macroscopic shells to form lime (carbonate) mud on the seafloor.

An Environmental Trifecta: Dissecting the Title7:56
There's a broad outline within the title of the talk "An Environmental Trifecta." We'll learn what is meant be each component of the broad scope of the talk within its subtitle, the combination of "coupling desalination with carbon mineralization to eliminate CO2 and brine disposal, store energy, and reduce salination of groundwater."
How Earth Sequestered the High Carbon Concentration in its Original Atmosphere9:59
Earth sequestered carbon by burying carbon deposits. Photosynthetic blue-green algae raised O2 levels consuming CO2 into biotic carbon and oxidizing iron and methane. But photosynthesis is balanced by respiration and decay. The carbon was buried as deposits of coal, oil, gases, including natural gas associated with oil as well as clathrates, and carbonate minerals. Photosynthesis raises pH enough for carbonic acid to convert to bicarbonate and carbonate and stabilize. Carbonate is then taken up into shells or deposited directly on the seawater.
Three Examples of Natural Carbon Sequestration7:15
We analyze three natural process that at least temporarily sequester carbon, 1) blood hemoglobin uptake of oxygen releasing metabolic acid neutralized by HCO3 producing CO2, followed by O2 exchange with cells uptaking (neutralizing) metabolic acid while CO2 goes into HCO3; 2) rock weathering, and 3) photosynthesis in the oceans ( the Redfield Ratios). We then analyze the carbonate system graphically and suggest it can be mimicked industrially.
An Evolution of Thought on Hydrogen Production, Water Desalination, and C-Seq11:18
Dr Hoaglund discusses the evolution of his thinking about hydrogen production for the hydrogen economy, the potential it had for stressing freshwater supplies, and the issue of carbon sequestration by underground injection (EPRI).
Going to California: Putting it together in 201014:52
Dr Hoaglund continues to discuss the evolution of his thinking having encountered the DOW "chlor-alkali" electrolysis reactions used to produce NaOH and that it can be "contaminated" with NaHCO3 solids!! Dr Hoaglund discusses the combined chemical reactions involved, then makes it visual by showing an experiment demonstrated on the David Letterman show.

The column starts as a basic solution; for simplicity assume it is sodium hydroxide, NaOH. The pH of the solution is in excess of 11 as indicated by the rich purple color of the pH indicator. A basic solution can be created by electrolysis using ERW technology (see below) from natural water salt chemistry; however it can also be added to solution from industry sources. Maddy Whirledge adds dry ice, which is carbon dioxide, to the solution, raising the “partial pressure of CO2“, Pco2. The pH changes into the neutral range, or even acidic range, pH 7 or less, as indicated by the yellow color of the pH indicator. Dave asks, “Why are we doing this?” Maddy replies, “Because it’s colorful.” LOL. Perhaps the most common answer to Dave’s question is that the experiment demonstrates a reaction that is part of “blood pH homeostasis.” By slowing breathing and allowing an increase of CO2 in the blood, the body can neutralize excess base into bicarbonate to strictly maintain its pH at 7.35. Perhaps the less well known answer to Dave’s question is that the experiment demonstrates a reaction that can be used to sequester CO2
The CO2 reacts to form bicarbonate and carbonate as follows:
bicarbonate (HCO3–)
1) H2O + NaOH + CO2 ==> Na+ + OH– + H+ + HCO3– ==> H2O + NaHCO3
Note: the right-most water is the neutralization of carbonic acid and base. A solid precipitate, baking soda, NaHCO3, may form.
carbonate (CO32-)
2) NaHCO3 + NaOH ==> 2Na+ + OH– + H+ + CO3– ==> H2O + 2Na+ + CO32-
Note: the right-most water is the further neutralization of carbonic acid and base. A solid precipitate, natron, Na2CO3 may form.
Though the pH changes as base is consumed, the TOTAL ALKALINITY DOES NOT CHANGE with the high Pco2, rather it shifts from a base component, NaOH, to the buffer components, HCO3– and CO32-. The result is a neutral solution of high alkalinity.
A Case Study of Desalination, CO2, and Brine Discharge5:59
Dr Hoaglund reviews the budget of a desalination case study, the AES power plant / Poseidon desalination project, showing the budgets of the intended freshwater water output, the resultant brine production, the energy consumed, and the resulting CO2 production assuming a natural gas power plant for the production of the electricity needed for the reverse osmosis (RO) method.
The proposed "solution" to these pollution problems?
1) Direct brine discharge into the ocean
2) Carbon offsets "permission to pollute" with temporary biotic carbon sequestration.

Footnote: On May 12, 2022, the proposed and controversial Huntington Beach Poseidon desalination plant was rejected by the California Coastal Commission. It had had been on the books for 20 years. It was rejected for a host of reasons: environmental, aesthetical, political, and financial. The environmental reasons included brine discharge and CO2 emissions, along with water intakes and vulnerability to climate-change-induced sea level rise. A link to an archival LA Times article is provided in the External Resources below.
Eureka! A CO2, salt, energy, and water budget7:11
Dr Hoaglund continues to review the case study AES power plant / Poseidon desalination project. Comparing the budget, combining carbon sequestration doubles the water budget, and there is enough salt to capture the CO2 output.
The Energy Penalty and Other Considerations9:10
Dr Hoaglund reviews the energy required to perform the carbon sequestration for all of the CO2 from the power plant. Though the "energy penalty" is high, the calculation is for the conditions of standard temperature and pressure (STP). When these processes are run at the higher temperatures of a flue stack, the energy required is less. An economic analysis should look at the commodities produced (hydrogen gas, chlorine products, etc.) the fresh water produced, the "services" provided (eliminating CO2 emissions and brine waste disposal), and the remaining energy output of the plant to compare it to the energy penalty. Obviously a total cost benefit analysis extends beyond the economic interest of each entity involved, so a new arrangement of profit / loss sharing needs to be arranged.
In addition to the energy penalty, other pro and con issues should be considered, including:
1) the kinetics (speed) of the chemical reactions: more research is required to determine the scaling required for the processes.
2) the process interfaces well with algae carbon sequestration projects that can develop algal biofuel.
3) chlorine products can be a plus, but if there are not enough markets for these, a chlorine sequestration issue must be considered. The easiest method is to return chlorine to chloride by reacting HCl with metal, which produces hydrogen and metal-chloride salts.
4) In general, there is a lack of divalent cation available on Earth, either in the ocean or in rocks, for carbon sequestration. This leaves the production of univalent cation bicarbonates (e.g. NaHCO3) as the best option given the resources available.
Conclusions6:19
The conclusions of the combined desalination and carbon sequestration processes are listed and reviewed. These are listed as follows:
1. Solutes from desalination “concentrate” (leftover salt) can be used as a substrate to capture CO2
2. The process combines brine electrolysis with CO2 aeration to form carbonate minerals
3. Can be combined with algae for biofuel C recycling
4. Brine discharge is eliminated, producing products
5. Freshwater production is increased from:
a. the remaining solvent leftover from solute extraction
b. stack capture of the water from the combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel (with water treatment onsite).
c. combustion or electrolytic oxidation of the hydrogen
6. Bicarbonate (HCO3) salts may be able to replace chloride salts (NaCl and CaCl2) as a de-icing agent, reducing the chloride salination of groundwater.
7. Energy Penalty is high
8. There are industrial hazards (as with any C-seq)
9. Lack of market demand may require chlorine sequestration
10. Other techniques can create more stable carbonates, but they recycle salt and /or use ores.

Requirements

Chemistry 101 or a good high school class in chemistry would help but is not necessary
A desire to do something about climate change

Description

In this class we discuss carbon sequestration as a means to mitigate climate change. The method promoted is carbon mineralization.

This course was developed as part of mission of the non-profit Carbon Negative Water and Energy founded by Dr. John Hoaglund. If you have benefitted from the information, please consider making a donation. If you're part of the 98% and can't make a donation, please massively forward the website and this course to your network ... it makes a difference. More information is available at the foundation's website linked from Dr. Hoaglund's Udemy Instructor biography page.

The two-part course is based on two presentations, divided topically into 14 videos. The first section features a Nevada Conservation League podcast, interviewing Dr. John Hoaglund. The climate change issue, other industrial sources of carbon and how to mitigate it with carbon sequestration is discussed. The second section is an expanded version of a presentation Dr. Hoaglund delivered to the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), and details the "CNWE environmental trifecta" (see below).

Unlike the temporary biotic carbon sequestration used for "carbon offsets" (growing wetlands and forests in exchange for the "right to pollute", i.e. emit carbon), carbon mineralization is the Earth's permanent sink for carbon onto the seafloor. There is an energy penalty associated with all carbon sequestration methods, but by combining it with brine desalination with the processes described here, the energy invested also 1) produces freshwater, 2) produces commodities such as hydrogen gas, an energy carrier that will soon replace lithium, 3) eliminates brine disposal, 4) eliminates carbon emissions, and 5) reduces salination of groundwater by producing a bicarbonate de-icing salt to replace chloride salts.

A technical description of the three components of the “CNWE environmental trifecta” is as follows:

Greenhouse gas (GHG) is reduced through the sequestration of carbon, achieved from flue stack capture (FSC), or direct air capture (DAC), of CO2, subsequently incorporated into solid carbonate mineral [MCO3 or MHCO3], or into increased naturally dissolved bicarbonate (HCO3) in groundwater, surface water, and oceans. Dissolved HCO3 can be incorporated into algae for biofuel, fertilizer, or feedstock production. The need for brine waste disposal is eliminated from both seawater and groundwater brine desalination operations. The most common technology for this step usually involves 1) the electrolysis of brine, producing a base MOH, and 2) the aeration of CO2 gas forming carbonic acid, which reacts with the base to produce a carbonate salt [MCO3 or MHCO3].

Freshwater is produced from the desalination of brine, and is managed through the prevention of salinization from brine handling and road salting, as well as the treatment of the acidification of groundwater and surface waters resulting from acid precipitation and acid mine drainage. MHCO3, replacing MCl in road salting and fertilizer operations, provides “non-point” source application of the bicarbonate for the neutralization of acid precipitation. The elimination of MCl salts prevents the chloride salinization of groundwater and surface waters. MHCO3 can also be applied locally, providing “point” source application for the neutralization of acid mine drainage point sources.

Clean energy is promoted through the production of energy carriers: lithium extracted from brines, and hydrogen produced from the electrolysis of brine. Other marketable byproducts are produced from the electrolysis process described above, which has existed for over a hundred years, and is already the standard means for the production of these compounds industrially. The marketable byproducts are NaHCO3 and various HxClx compounds, including H2, Cl2, HCl, and ClOx. The H2 can supplement the hydrogen economy. The Cl2 and ClOx compounds can be used in water sanitation. The HCl can be used in various waste digestion (dissolution) practices, particularly organic matter from agriculture (e.g. offal). HCl applied to native metals produces that metal’s chloride plus hydrogen gas.

[Throughout the discussion above, M is most commonly sodium, Na, when referring to univalent cations, and Ca or Mg when referring to divalent cations]

Who this course is for:

ANYONE interested in how to arrest climate change, including the concerned public, the activist public, politicians, venture capitalists, and business owners that can stand to gain from these methods

Arresting Climate Change

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Nevada Conservation League Sustainability Podcast with guest Dr John Hoaglund5 lectures • 35min

An Environmental Trifecta: Desalination, Carbon Mineralization, and H29 lectures • 1hr 20min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: