Using seawater to cut emissions

Technology that can cut CO₂ emissions from industry, power stations and shipping has been developed by a South Australian company.

The technology, developed by Sustainable World Technologies (SWT), involves converting CO₂ into stable compounds, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, using an electrochemical system.

The process combines seawater with exhaust gases, permanently converting the CO₂ into the stable carbonates.

"Climate change is one of the most significant issues confronting us, and Australia can make a difference globally by advancing technologies such as these," said SWT managing director, Rudy Gomez.

The company said no chemicals were added to the process and the carbonates produced were the same as those found naturally in coral reefs and limestone rocks.

Initial trials of the system had returned 30% reductions in CO₂ emissions, according to SWT.

"SWT's technology is a permanent CO₂ sequestration solution that avoids the risk of CO₂ returning to the atmosphere.

"I am confident that with further research and development we will have a simple, low-cost system to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 30%,” Gomez said.