bio-oil

In short:

• Charm Industrial, a startup, is experimenting with turning agricultural waste into bio-oil through a process called pyrolysis.
• The company then stores this bio-oil in underground wells, mimicking natural fossil fuel formation but in reverse.
• Despite technical challenges, Charm has started collaborating with major tech companies for carbon storage solutions.

Key quote:

“All through my career, I’ve helped industries deal with the things that come out of the back side of a plant that nobody wants to talk about.”

— Monte Markley, geologist from Wichita, Kansas

Why this matters:

Reversing the carbon cycle can significantly reduce atmospheric CO2 levels, essential for combating global warming.

If implemented on a large scale, this technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. In addition, the use of biomass for bio-oil production promotes the sustainable management of organic waste materials, turning potential pollutants into valuable resources.

Related EHN coverage:

• Household energy: Let’s make the healthy choice the easy choice
• Paris climate agreement overlooks wood pellet loophole
• Clean energy grows, but many of the poorest remain in the dark.