Carbon dioxide capture in the transition toward a carbon-neutral university

Studenthuset at Campus Valla. — Studenthuset and other university premises could become unexpected climate actors that capture CO2. Photographer: Victor Berlin

Researchers at Linköping University are working to develop a new method for capturing carbon dioxide in purpose-built premises. By integrating Direct Air Capture (DAC) into the ventilation systems, we can reduce climate emissions and generate profit by selling the captured carbon dioxide.

Direct Air Capture (DAC), i.e. extracting CO₂ (carbon dioxide) from ambient air in buildings, offers a versatile solution to urgent environmental challenges in the built environment, which today do not make the necessary progress to achieve carbon neutrality.

Unit for capturing CO2. — Unit for capturing CO2 containing the adsorbent zeolite.

By collecting CO₂, emissions from buildings are reduced. At the same time, new revenue opportunities are created as the captured carbon dioxide can be sold – for example, to greenhouses where it can be used to increase crop production. Integrating DACs into ventilation systems can contribute to a better indoor climate and reduce buildings' need for costly energy efficiency measures.

Human metabolism releases large amounts of CO₂ and presents an attractive opportunity for the use of DAC technology. As university campuses are characterised by high occupancy rates and long periods of operation, these facilities present an overlooked opportunity for CO₂ capture.

Implementation

The implementation of the project is based on the goal of contributing to the development of a carbon-neutral university. This is carried out through laboratory-based measurements at the University of Gävle and the development of a DAC unit for capture of CO₂.

Direct Air Capture

A DAC (Direct Air Capture) device is a technical solution used to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, both indoors and outdoors. It works by passing the air through a material, a so-called adsorbent, which captures CO2. A common example of an adsorbent is zeolite with high selectivity for CO₂. When the material is saturated, the carbon dioxide can be released by e.g. heating and collected for further use. In purpose-built premises such as schools, offices and sports halls, the technology can be integrated into ventilation systems to contribute to climate benefits and at the same time enable the sale of the captured carbon dioxide, for example to greenhouses where it is used to promote crop growth.

Researchers in this project

Project leader

Short facts

Project aim

Develop and manufacture a DAC device for capturing metabolic CO2 in classrooms. This will provide new knowledge in the development towards a carbon-neutral university.

Financier

LiU Climate compensation fund

Timeline

Preliminary until summer 2025.

"Solving a technical challenge is what drives me"

Uppsala or Linköping? Vlatko Milic chose LiU 14 years ago. Staying on after his studies, doing a PhD and being employed as a researcher was not an obvious path. Now, he has started a research project that could increase Swedish resilience.

Organisation

Energy Systems (ENSYS)

The division of Energy Systems is involved in research, undergraduate and graduate education and collaboration with industry and public sector organisations in the field of energy.

Department of Management and Engineering (IEI)

The Department of Management and Engineering (IEI) strengthens and develops tomorrow’s industry, business world and society by ground-breaking research, education and innovation.

Studenthuset on Campus Valla in Linköping

About LiU

Linköping University, LiU, offers innovative education and boundary-crossing research. The students are among the most desirable in the labour market and international rankings consistently place LiU as a leading global university.

LiU's work with environment and sustainability

Environment and sustainability at LiU

The main role of the university's environmental and sustainability work is to provide research, educate in the field and, in cooperation with other societal actors, to help meet goals on national environmental quality and global sustainability.

Carbon dioxide capture in the transition toward a carbon-neutral university

Implementation