Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Industrial  -  December 12, 2023

University of Sheffield Adds Direct Air Capture Plant

The University of Sheffield’s Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC) added a direct air capture (DAC) plant which efficiently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere using renewable energy and water.

The DAC plant will be used for a project validating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from air to decarbonize UK aviation.

The plant was constructed by carbon removal technology developer Mission Zero Technologies (MZT).

The University of Sheffield’s TERC is a zero-carbon energy research institution. TERC will use MZT’s technology to validate the end-to-end production of jet fuel made from atmospheric carbon, certifying it so that it can be brought to commercial use. 

MZT’s energy-efficient electrochemical DAC technology recovers CO₂ from the atmosphere using electricity and water. The remotely-operated plant will run on solar power generated onsite to recover 50 tons per year of high-purity CO₂ from the air. 

MZT’s DAC technology leverages mature off-the-shelf components in a modular design that can be integrated with load-variable renewable grids.

“This installation is hugely exciting for us, and for the world, as we discover more about the potential for decarbonized industrial processes and air transport using novel DAC technology,” said Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Managing Director of TERC, in a statement. “TERC’s capabilities in processing captured carbon in order to transform it has made it an ideal location for the first DAC plant. We’re excited to work closely with MZT on this project and other world-leading activities.”