New pressure method captures 99% of CO2 for just $26 per ton

Researchers at Texas A&M University and ExcelThermic Enterprises have developed a novel carbon-capture technology called Pressure Induced Carbon Capture (PICC), which uses only water and pressure to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial flue gases. Inspired by the physical principle behind carbonation in soda and sparkling drinks, PICC dissolves CO2 in water under high pressure and releases it when pressure is reduced. This physical absorption method avoids the drawbacks of traditional amine-based chemical capture systems, such as high costs, chemical degradation, and limited capture efficiency (typically around 90%). The PICC process involves cooling and compressing flue gas, which then contacts cold water in an absorption column to dissolve nearly all CO2 before the cleaned gas is released. The CO2-rich water is subsequently depressurized in stages to release and compress the captured CO2 for underground storage. Economic modeling indicates that PICC can capture 99% of CO2 emissions at a cost of $26 per metric ton, significantly lower