(290f) Carbon Utilization Markets, Infrastructure, Research, and Development: A National Academies Assessment

Carbon utilization addresses two underexamined needs in a net-zero GHG emissions future: durably storing CO₂ in products and approaches to circular-carbon systems of short-lived carbon-based products. This presentation describes the National Academies research agenda on carbon dioxide utilization, highlighting the key research needs for mineralization, chemical, and biological processes and cross-cutting research themes.

The committee identified many needs for essential or high-value carbon-containing products in a net-zero GHG emissions future, such as cement, concrete, and aggregates; aviation fuel; agrochemicals; and platform chemicals. It identified where CO₂ utilization is favored as a sustainable carbon source, such as to form oxygenates, single-carbon products, and products that durably store carbon, and addressed the differing sustainability of products based on both the carbon source and the lifetime of the product.

The committee’s report describes four pathways for CO₂ conversion: (1) mineralization of CO₂ into inorganic carbonates, (2) conversion of CO₂ into elemental carbon materials, and (3) chemical and (4) biological pathways for CO₂ conversion into organic chemicals and fuels. For each pathway, research needs were identified and described by their research status, research area, and product class. Recommendations were directed at federal agencies or other actors to address those needs. Themes in research needs were developed at the reaction-, systems-, and demonstration and deployment-levels. This presentation will describe the committee’s findings and recommendations relevant to the chemical engineering and chemistry research community.

In addition to describing the research agenda, the presentation will also draw in some of the study’s major conclusions on markets, policy, technology assessment, and infrastructure needs for CO₂ utilization.