Carbon capture and utilization (CCU)
Carbon utilization typically refers to the process of capturing and using carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
from industrial processes or directly from the atmosphere. This process is often part of carbon capture
and utilization (CCU) or carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and mitigating climate change. Carbon utilization can involve converting captured CO2 into
useful products such as fuels, chemicals, and building materials, thereby reducing the overall carbon
footprint of these industries.
How is it done
Carbon utilization involves several steps, generally including carbon capture, purification, and
conversion into useful products. Here's a simplified overview:
Carbon Capture: CO2 is captured from industrial processes or directly from the atmosphere using
various technologies such as absorption, adsorption, or membrane separation.
Purification: The captured CO2 is then purified to remove impurities and moisture, which is important
for the subsequent conversion process.
Conversion: The purified CO2 is converted into useful products through chemical, biological, or
electrochemical processes. Some common conversion pathways include:
Chemical conversion: CO2 can be converted into fuels such as methane, methanol, or even higher-value
chemicals through chemical reactions with hydrogen or other reagents.
Biological conversion: Microorganisms can be used to convert CO2 into biofuels, plastics, or other
organic compounds through processes like microbial fermentation.
Electrochemical conversion: Electrochemical processes can convert CO2 into carbon monoxide, formic
acid, or other chemicals using electricity as an input.
Utilization: The converted products can be used as fuels, chemicals, or materials, thereby storing the
captured carbon and reducing the overall carbon footprint of the process.
It's important to note that carbon utilization technologies are still in development and face challenges
such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and environmental impact, but they hold promise for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
Various methods of capturing carbon
There are several methods for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial processes or directly from
the atmosphere. Here are some of the main methods:
Post-combustion capture: This method captures CO2 from the exhaust gases of power plants or
industrial facilities after combustion has occurred. It typically involves using chemical solvents or
adsorbents to capture CO2 from the flue gas.
Pre-combustion capture: In this method, carbon is captured before the fuel is burned. This is often done
by converting the fuel into a mixture of hydrogen and CO2, then separating the CO2 from the hydrogen
before combustion.
Oxy-fuel combustion: Oxy-fuel combustion involves burning fuel in pure oxygen instead of air, which
results in a flue gas stream that is mostly CO2 and water vapor. The CO2 can then be captured from the
flue gas using methods similar to post-combustion capture.
Direct air capture: This method involves capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere using chemical
processes or materials that absorb CO2. The captured CO2 can then be stored or used in various
applications.
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): BECCS involves using biomass as a fuel source,
capturing the CO2 produced during combustion, and then storing it underground or using it in various
applications. This method is considered a form of negative emissions technology, as it can result in the
removal of CO2 from the atmosphere.
These methods vary in terms of their efficiency, cost, and scalability, and each has its own advantages
and disadvantages depending on the specific application. Ongoing research and development are
focused on improving the effectiveness and feasibility of these carbon capture technologies.
