Q. With reference to Direct Air Capture (DAC), an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.
- It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.
- In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and II only
(b) III only
(c) I, II and III
(d) None of the above statements is correct
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Answer & Explanation:
✅Correct Answer: (c) I, II and III
Explanation:
Statement I – Correct
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. The captured CO₂ can be permanently stored in deep geological formations (such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs) or locked into durable products. Hence, DAC functions as a form of carbon sequestration and is considered important for achieving net-zero and negative emissions.
Statement II – Correct
The CO₂ captured through DAC can be reused as an industrial feedstock. It is increasingly used in:
- Plastic and polymer production
- Carbon fibres and construction materials
- Food processing, such as beverage carbonation and preservation
Thus, DAC integrates carbon dioxide into circular industrial value chains rather than releasing it back into the atmosphere.
Statement III – Correct
In the aviation sector, DAC plays a crucial role in low-carbon fuel production. Captured CO₂ can be combined with green hydrogen (produced using renewable energy) in Power-to-Liquid (PtL) processes to create synthetic aviation fuels (e-fuels). These fuels significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuels.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Options (a) and (b) are incorrect because they omit one or more correct statements.
- Option (d) is incorrect because DAC is already being developed and deployed for carbon storage, industrial use, and synthetic fuel production.