Commercial evaluation of a device for collection and control of carbon dioxide: solving the CO2 supply challenge

A significant barrier to the experimental analysis of climate change is the commercial cost of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. CO2 is available in cylinders or bulk tanks however these create a price 'bottle neck' that has not yet been overcome in any sustainable way to date. Gas supply severely limits the nature of large scale experimentation to investigate and predict climate change. Predictions may have a profound impact on global commodity prices in the future and are therefore important to many organisations. To meet the need for cost effective CO2 gas supply, Aberystwyth University researchers are developing a sustainable, carbon neutral device for concentrating and controlling high levels of carbon dioxide gas. Under this Pathfinder an assessment of the commercial need and intellectual property position will define the specific market opportunity in research experimentation. An additional application, for the scale up of the device in horticulture, will be evaluated as existing CO2 supply costs currently limit the benefits to using this gas to accelerate crop yield. Essential to the market review is the calculation of a competitive, estimated Cost of Goods for a manufactured device. This calculation will inform the evaluation of the most appropriate route to market for the technology. Technical work under the Pathfinder, in the form of a high risk technical milestone, is required to confirm that the device (in its optimised design) will meet defined industry requirements for controlled CO2 flow and concentration. This technical requirement is essential to progress the technology towards a product of high commercial interest. Findings would underpin an application for Follow on Funding. Under the Follow on Fund it is envisaged that the commercial design specification for a research scale device would be finalised, built and field tested. Scale up of the technology for horticulture use would be specified. In parallel, Follow on Funding would support the determination of the final manufactured Cost of Goods for the field unit and the horticulture system, the identification of possible manufacturers and the formalising of the route to market.