Direct Air Capture and Utilization: Life Cycle Assessment and CO2 Reduction Potential Estimation

Abstract

Abstract Reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere to combat climate change is a global challenge. Direct air capture (DAC) is a new set of technologies that directly removes CO2 from the air; therefore, DAC can address emissions from any source. This paper begins by reviewing the literature on negative emission technologies to summarize the most recent technological developments. We then conduct a life cycle assessment on one of the most recently developed technologies, the direct air capture and utilization (DAC-U) system. DAC-U systems, like photovoltaic systems, can be installed in various locations, including homes, offices, and mega-plants, resulting in a highly scalable, on-site system that can be deployed in various ways. Based on the life cycle assessment results, this article presents the CO2 capture and reduction potential of the DAC-U system, with a focus on installations in households, and examines the willingness to adopt the system in Japan. Our results show that the DAC-U system functions as a negative emission technology and demonstrate the large CO2 capture and reduction potential of the DAC-U system through household-level installations.