How it Works

CO2Rail Operation Primer

Image of CO2Rail Train

Our regenerative braking system converts curently wasted braking energy from a train’s operations into electricity similar to that of any other EV but at a much greater scale given the tremendous kinetic energy of a train.

The energy generated from the braking system is stored in a battery that is housed underneath the rail car.
Our battery has a capacity of 2,400 kWh, the same as 24 Teslas.

Our unique airflow system omits the need for traditional fans by leveraging the slipstream of the train to move up to 15,000 m³ of air per minute through the system for CO₂ mitigation.

Our carbon collection unit is the beating heart of the system. Using a variety of CO₂ sorbents, we are able to effectively capture this powerful greenhouse gas from both ambient air and diesel exhaust and convert it to pure liquid CO₂.

Finally, the carbon is stored in a 15T cryogenic storage tank where it is off-loaded daily at crew change or fueling stops into normal CO₂ rail tank cars and then transported to the nearest geological sequestration site or into the circular carbon economy.

Did you know?

Almost every freight and passenger train in the world already utilizes energy braking and has since the 1970s. Just like in EVs and hybrid cars, the forward kinetic energy of the train is converted into electrical energy during a braking event. In rail, this energy braking system is known as "Dynamic Braking" and utilizes larges banks of resistor grids and fans that literally burn off the substanial amount of electricity that is produced during each braking manuever.

Train energy braking at night burning off its immense kinetic energy.

Vetted & Peer Reviewed

Discover what makes CO2Rail unique

Understand the proprietary technology behind CO2Rail's direct air carbon capture via this peer-reviewed research paper

SEE RESEARCH PAPER