How Waste Milk Can Cut Power Plant CO2 Emissions

Researchers at Clarkson University have developed a new technology that uses waste milk to essentially absorb CO2 emissions during fossil fuel power plant operations.  It’s a very creative concept and could become yet another tool in the climate change-fighting toolbox.

The Nuts and Bolts of How Waste Milk Can Absorb Carbon Dioxide Emissions

The paper the researchers published to promote their research findings is called “C02 Capture: Dry and Wet C02 Capture from Milk-Derived Microporous Carbons with Tuned Hydrophobicity.”  Unfortunately, you’ll have to pay to access the full research, but this article explains the process of converting waste milk from cows into “activated carbons” which facilitate the absorption.

The activated carbons are akin to microscopic bean-shaped particles with tiny dimples that catch and trap the emissions while keeping out water vapor.  And these particles are not single-use only; rather, they can be reused over and over.

The beauty of the concept is that there is a surplus of waste milk in the U.S., and this technology will allow it to be utilized instead of discarded.  Milk consumption has dropped 30% in the last 40 years, yet annual milk production per cow has increased 13% during that time, creating an oversupply of more than 50 million gallons a year.

So, not only could this technology help reduce emissions and fight climate change, it could also be a bit of a boon to the dairy industry.  And heck, it’s always better to recycle something than to simply throw it away.

Of course, the burning question is whether or not the waste milk technology can be developed in a manner that enables widespread commercialization within the electric utility industry.  Only time will tell, but if I were a gambler, I’d be hesitant to place a wager on it.  That said, society must keep trying new things in the urgent battle to dampen global warming, and my fingers are always crossed with every new attempt.