Project lead
The project involves collaboration between Captura, a carbon “capture” company founded on the Caltech campus; AltaSea, the ocean-focused science, business and education hub of the Port of Los Angeles, and SoCalGas, the Southern California Gas Company, which has funded the project.
Project description
Captura, a company specialising in Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology, has unveiled its latest system, a significant evolution from its initial pilot in Newport Beach, California. The new system, funded by the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), can capture 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the ocean annually.
Captura’s DOC technology uses renewable energy and electrodialysis to capture CO2 directly from seawater for storage or use. When the seawater returns to the ocean with the CO2 removed, it is able to absorb the same amount of CO2 from the air that was originally removed, according to Captura.
The company stresses that its solution has no by-products and does not harm the ocean. Captura will collaborate with AltaSea, an ocean science hub, to carry out technological testing and research, validate the system’s efficiency and assess its effects on the marine ecosystem and the mitigation of ocean acidification.
Project objectives
The goal of the project is to capture CO2 from seawater so that, when that same water is returned to the sea, it absorbs from the air the same amount of CO2 previously captured from it. To validate and improve the efficiency of the DOC system through testing and research at AltaSea’s facilities. The project also focuses on assessing the environmental impact of the technology on the marine ecosystem and its potential to mitigate ocean acidification. Feasibility studies will be carried out for commercial deployment, with the collaboration of SoCalGas, which will support the project. Ultimately, the project aims to advance the development of DOC technology, enabling effective carbon capture while minimising environmental harm.
News publication date
31 May 2023
Project information links
Carbon Capture System to Be Installed at the Port of Los Angeles