b'82 INDUSTRY INSIDERCarbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration: An Environmental Gold Mine for Aviation?The conversation aboutto DEN and surrounding communities, aviations role in climate changethe most interesting of which isDevon Brubaker, has increased over the years.carbon sequestration. While biologicalA.A.E., is the airport With the aviation industry accountingsequestration projects like those at DENdirector for Southwest Wyoming Regional for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, theare attainable for nearly all airports, thereAirport in Sweetwater debate as to the true impact is far fromare new technologies that provide aCounty, WY. He has over. However, airports and the carbonmore precise, scientifically measurablenearly 20 years of airport management removal industry are not waiting for aoutcome. experience at airports big and small resolution to that debate. Efforts areThis can be achieved through the useacross the country. underway across the country to findof direct air capture technologies that innovative solutions to decarbonizeextract CO2 from the atmosphere using the aviation industry. While the effortsSolutions, a pre-eminent carbon either liquid solvents or solid sorbents.sequestration developer operating in regarding electrification, hydrogen andWhen air moves over these chemicals, sustainable aviation fuel are well known,Wyoming, to explore decarbonization they selectively react with and trap CO2opportunities for the airport, its customers other lesser-known, nascent technologiesbut allow the other components of air to are emerging that could revolutionizeand surrounding industries. The pass through. Once CO2 is captured,partnership with Frontier is focused on: the conversation, and quite frankly, theheat is typically applied to release it opportunities for airports.from the solvent or sorbent. Just like exploring the costs, engineering and The Carbon Capture, Utilization andCO2 captured from point sources,feasibility of designing, constructing Sequestration industry is providingthis CO2 can be injected undergroundand operating the infrastructure rapidly evolving opportunities forfor sequestration in certain geologicand equipment to facilitate the industries to capture CO2 and eitherformations or used in various productstransportation and/or subsurface store it in deep subsurface salineand applications.storage and sequestration of CO2 reservoirs or utilize it for productionat RKS;Direct air capture developers are t he study, development and of materials such as synthetic fuels,developing modular technologies that chemicals and building aggregates. Theimplementation of decarbonization will allow for scalable carbon removaltechnologies;most economical form of capture developments. This scalability is point sourceseparates CO2 fromprecisely why Southwest Wyomingthe study, development or an industrial exhaust stream thatRegional Airport (RKS) was thrilledacquisition of low carbon fuels, such would otherwise be released to theto learn of a regional initiative calledas renewable diesel or sustainable atmosphere; but that method is difficultProject Bison development by Carbonaviation fuel to benefit RKS, its to apply in the aviation environment.Capture Inc. We are well positioned tocustomers or suppliers; and Quite simply, individual aviation sourcescapitalize on burgeoning carbon removalhosting or siting renewable or low do not produce enough CO2 to makestrategies because RKS is situated oncarbon energy infrastructure and the capital investment worthwhile; andtop of the Rock Springs uplift, a prolificassets. you cant exactly attach a CO2 line togeological sequestration site.Together, we are working toward the tailpipe of an aircraft. establishing the worlds first airport-Here in Wyoming, pore space With these challenges in mind,ownership resides with the surfacebased decarbonization hub featuring airports are looking to other formsestate, so RKS owns an immense assetcarbon capture, carbon sequestration of carbon removal. For instance,thousands of feet below its airfield thatand sustainable aviation fuel production. Denver International Airport (DEN)can be monetized to support airportAirports across the globe looking for recently partnered with Denver Parksoperations and development for years toinnovative climate change solutions and Recreation, as part of its Visioncome while also reducing emissions. may very well find their answers in the 100 initiative, to increase the prairiegrowing Carbon Capture, Utilization and grasslands surrounding the airport.That is why our Airport BoardSequestration industry and possibly right This effort will provide many benefitshas partnered with Frontier Carbonhere in Southwest Wyoming. January | February 2024AirportImprovement.com'