A novel method called pressure-induced carbon capture (PICC) promises a cheaper, more efficient way to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy industry, potentially transforming the landscape of industrial decarbonisation.
A promising new technology, known as pressure-induced carbon capture (PICC), offers a simpler and significantly more cost-effective solution for capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources such as power plants, hydrogen facilities, cement kilns, and steel blast furnaces. Developed by Dr Mark Holtzapple, professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University, and Jonathan Feinstein of ExcelThermic Enterprises, this method harnesses a basic physical principle familiar to many , the way carbon dioxide bubbles form and escape when opening a bottle of champagne or soda.
Unlike traditional carbon capture systems that rely on chemical absorption using amines, which are expensive, degrade over time, and struggle to capture beyond 90% of CO2 emissions, PICC operates through physical absorption. It uses only water and pressure to dissolve carbon dioxide from flue gases at high pressure and then release it as pressure decreases. This approach allows for nearly complete carbon capture with far fewer technical and economic drawbacks. Holtzapple emphasises the simplicity, cleanliness, and reduced expense of the technique, presenting it as a practical means to tackle the urgent challenge of greenhouse gas emissions while still utilising fossil fuels that remain central to the global energy mix.
The operational process begins with flue gas, emitted from the combustion of coal, natural gas, or biomass residues like forest and crop waste, being cooled and compressed. This high-pressure gas is passed through an absorption column where cold water flows down against the upward gas flow through structured packing that maximises contact and CO2 dissolution. Residual carbon dioxide in the upper section dissolves into fresh water, and the cleaned gas exits to the atmosphere. The CO2-rich water then moves through sequential vessels operating at progressively reduced pressures, causing the dissolved CO2 to bubble out for collection, compression, and storage underground in geological formations such as saline aquifers.
Cost analyses indicate PICC can capture and compress 99% of carbon emissions at an estimated $26 per metric ton, a substantial reduction compared to current technologies which typically capture about 90% for $50 to $100 per metric ton. Adding a small quantity of lime to the water further improves performance to 100% capture for less than $28 per ton, even eliminating CO2 from the combustion air itself. This advance could make carbon capture viable on a larger scale, combining cost-effectiveness with higher capture efficiency, both critical factors for widespread industrial adoption.
In parallel to developments like PICC, other industry players are advancing carbon capture efforts through different means. Saudi Aramco, for example, recently launched the kingdom’s first direct air capture (DAC) pilot unit in collaboration with Siemens Energy. Although DAC is generally more expensive and challenging to scale than capturing emissions directly from flue gases, Aramco intends to scale their technology significantly, with plans for a larger pilot plant capable of capturing over 1,200 tons of CO2 annually and a carbon capture and storage project aiming to sequester up to 9 million tons of CO2 per year by 2027.
While direct air capture removes CO2 from ambient air and offers flexibility in targeting emissions across sectors, it is currently complementary to technologies like PICC that are tailored to specific industrial exhaust streams. Together, these innovations represent a multi-faceted approach to industrial decarbonisation, crucial for meeting global climate goals.
PICC’s reliance on a simple physical phenomenon, its cost advantage, and near-total capture capability position it as a highly relevant technology for industries seeking to drastically reduce their carbon footprint without abandoning essential fossil fuel processes. If successfully commercialised and licensed as planned, it could substantially reshape the economics and effectiveness of carbon capture in sectors that historically face significant barriers to decarbonisation. This development aligns with the broader industrial imperative to deploy scalable, affordable, and efficient solutions that can mitigate the environmental impact of existing energy infrastructure as the transition to net-zero accelerates.
- https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-carbon-capture-method-pressure-emissions.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-carbon-capture-method-pressure-emissions.html – A new, low-cost method for capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities relies on a simple physical phenomenon—the same one that causes bubbles to fizz when popping a bottle of Champagne or cracking open a bottle of seltzer. The process, called pressure-induced carbon capture (PICC), uses water and pressure to pull carbon dioxide out of exhaust gases before it reaches the atmosphere, offering a cleaner and far less expensive alternative to traditional chemical methods. Co-inventors Dr. Mark Holtzapple, professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University, and Jonathan Feinstein of ExcelThermic Enterprises have filed patents for licensing the technology to power plants, hydrogen facilities, cement kilns, steel blast furnaces and other industrial emitters worldwide. Holtzapple said PICC is a practical solution to an urgent problem because fossil fuel combustion—which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere—remains an important component of the global energy mix. “Our invention is a cost-effective way to address one of the greatest challenges facing humanity,” Holtzapple said. “We can capture carbon dioxide from flue gas using only water and pressure, which makes the process simple, clean and less expensive than competing technologies.” Traditional carbon capture systems rely on strong chemicals called amines that bind with carbon dioxide to remove it from exhaust gases. Amines struggle to pull more than 90% of the carbon dioxide out of the flue gas, Holtzapple said. Also, the amines are expensive and degrade when exposed to flue gases. Furthermore, permitting 10% of the carbon dioxide to escape into the environment is no longer tenable, he said. In contrast, PICC uses physical absorption. Because PICC uses no chemical bonds, carbon dioxide pops back out of the water at reduced pressures just as easily as it dissolves in water at high pressure. “Everybody knows that high-pressure carbon dioxide dissolves in water, and that when you open a bottle of Coca-Cola or beer you see that carbon dioxide bubble back out,” Holtzapple said. Once released, the carbon dioxide can be safely stored or utilized. In operation, flue gas from combusting coal, natural gas or biomass—like forest waste, crop residues or municipal solid waste—is first cooled and compressed. The high-pressure gas is then piped into an absorption column, where cold water flows downward while the gas moves upward through a structured packing that maximizes contact between the two streams. As the nearly clean gas reaches the top of the column, it contacts fresh water entering at the top. There, the last traces of carbon dioxide dissolve into the water, with clean gas releasing into the environment. The water exiting the bottom of the column contains dissolved carbon dioxide and is transferred to a series of vessels, each operating at lower and lower pressures, where the carbon dioxide progressively bubbles out. Holtzapple said the released carbon dioxide is then ready for compression and injection into underground geological formations, such as saline aquifers, where it is permanently stored. Economic analyses show that PICC can capture and compress 99% of carbon dioxide emissions for $26 per metric ton. Other current technologies capture about 90% and cost $50 to $100 per metric ton, Holtzapple said. Additionally, by adding a small amount of lime—an alkali—to the water, PICC captures 100% of carbon dioxide for an average cost less than $28 per metric ton. At that level of capture, even the carbon dioxide from the combustion air is removed, Holtzapple said. “Without adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, PICC allows us to use abundant fossil fuels on which our civilization is built. Furthermore, by coupling PICC to biomass combustion, we can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere cost effectively,” he said.
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/saudi-aramco-launches-first-direct-air-capture-test-unit-2025-03-20/ – Saudi Aramco has launched Saudi Arabia’s first direct air capture (DAC) unit in collaboration with Siemens Energy, which will remove 12 tons of carbon dioxide annually from the atmosphere. This pilot facility will help test CO2 capture materials and aims to support the scaling up of DAC systems. Critics have noted the high cost and unproven scalability of CO2 capture technology. However, Aramco sees this as a significant step to address emissions and potentially produce more sustainable chemicals and fuels. The company plans to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050. Previously, Aramco announced a collaboration with Siemens Energy to pave the way for a larger pilot plant capable of capturing 1,250 tons of CO2 per year. In December, Aramco signed agreements with SLB and Linde to develop a carbon capture and storage project in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The first phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, capturing and storing up to 9 million tons of CO2 a year. Additionally, Aramco has signed several other …
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative introduces a novel technology, pressure-induced carbon capture (PICC), developed by Dr Mark Holtzapple and Jonathan Feinstein. A search reveals no prior publications on this specific method, indicating originality. However, similar technologies have been reported, such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) development of a cost-effective CO₂ capture system in January 2023, achieving a capture cost of $39 per metric ton. ([sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230123200338.htm?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the PICC method is new, the concept of cost-effective CO₂ capture is not unprecedented. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Dr Mark Holtzapple and Jonathan Feinstein. A search for these specific quotes yields no prior matches, indicating they are original to this report. This suggests the content is exclusive and not recycled from other sources.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from TechXplore, a technology news website. While it provides detailed information, TechXplore is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the BBC or Reuters. Therefore, the reliability of the source is moderate. The individuals mentioned, Dr Mark Holtzapple and Jonathan Feinstein, are associated with reputable institutions—Texas A&M University and ExcelThermic Enterprises, respectively. However, a search for ExcelThermic Enterprises reveals limited information, raising questions about the company’s public presence and verifiability. This could indicate a need for further scrutiny regarding the company’s legitimacy.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about PICC’s cost-effectiveness and operational process are plausible and align with current research in carbon capture technologies. However, the article lacks supporting details from other reputable outlets, which makes it difficult to verify the claims independently. Additionally, the tone and language used are consistent with typical corporate or official language, suggesting authenticity. There are no excessive or off-topic details, and the structure is focused on the main claim.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative introduces a novel carbon capture technology, PICC, developed by Dr Mark Holtzapple and Jonathan Feinstein. While the concept of cost-effective CO₂ capture is not new, the specific method described appears original. The quotes from the developers are unique to this report, and the claims made are plausible. However, the source’s reliability is moderate due to limited information about ExcelThermic Enterprises, and the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets makes independent verification challenging. Therefore, further scrutiny is recommended to confirm the claims made in the narrative.
