June 9 .
024
Carbon Capture
& CARBON DIOXIDE BENEFITS TO THE WORLD
How can advanced
What innovative uses carbon capture
of captured CO2 are technologies
transform our fight
emerging in various against climate
industries? change?
Is CCS a silver
bullet or just part
of the answer?
Benson is optimistic too: “CCS is at
the same place solar cells were two
decades ago. Look how far we’ve
come. CCS dead? It’s not even born
yet!”
By: Nooralbagie Majid
PREFACE
Mention “carbon capture and storage” in polite company and you’re likely to be
pounced on. Expressions change to snarly. Then a force of logic takes over. It’s
absurdly expensive, it can never be rolled out en masse, storing massive amounts
of CO2 below ground sounds risky. And it’s too late. Wind and solar have left it in
the dust. The clear unassailable death knell, say the critics, is that even the fossil
fuel industry, the biggest beneficiary, hasn’t embraced the technology.
But is these perspectives accurate? Or it is just a preface
concerns to upcoming revelations?
This article aims to investigate the progress of research on carbon capture and the
benefits of carbon dioxide to the world, identifying key disciplines, journals, articles,
and authors.
As the world grapples with the twin challenges of mitigating climate change and
sustaining economic growth, innovative solutions that address both environmental
and economic concerns are critically needed.
My investigation is grounded in a comprehensive review of existing literature,
coupled with an analysis of emerging technologies and their applications. By
examining the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of different carbon
capture methods, and exploring what we as chemical engineers can contribute, I
aim to provide a holistic view of the current landscape and future prospects.
Furthermore, I explore the multifaceted benefits of CO2 utilization, from enhancing
agricultural productivity and building materials, Algae Cultivation to creating
sustainable synthetic fuels, thereby highlighting the potential for CO2 to become a
valuable resource rather than a waste product.
This article is written with the belief that innovative technological advancements,
combined with strategic policy frameworks, can pave the way for a sustainable and
economically viable future. However, it also addresses concerns about potential
environmental risks associated with storage, and the need for policy support to
scale up deployment.
I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the
global effort to combat climate change,
fostering a more sustainable world for future
generations.
CONTENTS
PAGE 4 PAGE 9
INSIGHTS: CHEMCAL ENGIMEERS MODERN
FIGHT:
What is CSS , CDU
Examples of industries and Chemical Engineers several crucial roles
facilities where carbon capture Skills needed for Chem Eng to
is implemented. enhance the fight
PAGE 6 PAGE 11
CCS, CDU NEWS:
CONCLUSION
Case Studies and Current
Projects
AND
Challenges and Limitations
Future Prospects and
Innovations
REFRANCES
WHAT IS
CCS, CDU ?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a
combination of technologies designed to
prevent the release of CO2generated
through conventional power generation and
industrial production processes by injecting
the CO2 in suitable underground storage
reservoirs. Basically, capture technology
separates CO2 emissions from the process,
after which the compressed CO2 is
transported to a suitable geological storage
location and injected. Feasible methods of
transporting of CO2 include both pipelines
and shipping. Appropriate geological
storage locations for CO2 include
abandoned oil and gas fields, deep saline
formations and unmineable coal seams.
The dominant reason to do Carbon capture
and storage (CCS) is CO2 emission
reductions from industry and power
generation.
While Carbon Dioxide
Utilization (CDU) refers to the
process of converting
captured CO2 into useful
products, thus reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and
creating valuable materials.
The main approaches to CDU
include chemical conversion,
biological conversion,
PAGE FOUR| JOURNEY
mineralization, and enhanced
oil recovery (EOR).
.4
EXAMPLES OF INDUSTRIES
AND FACILITIES WHERE
CARBON CAPTURE IS
IMPLEMENTED.
• Power Generation: Boundary Dam in Canada captures
CO2 from coal power generation.
• Cement Production: LafargeHolcim’s plant in
Switzerland utilizes carbon capture during clinker
production.
• Steel Manufacturing: The HYBRIT initiative in Sweden
captures emissions from steel production processes.
• Chemical Manufacturing: Air Products’ Blue Hydrogen
project captures CO2 from hydrogen production for
fertilizer.
• Refineries: The Petra Nova project in Texas captures
emissions from a coal-fired power plant integrated with
a refinery.
These examples highlight the diverse applications of carbon capture across
different sectors, demonstrating its potential to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
• Bioenergy: Drax Power Station in
the UK implements carbon capture
to offset biomass energy
production.
• Natural Gas Processing:
ExxonMobil captures CO2 from
natural gas processing operations.
• Waste-to-Energy Plants: Some
incineration facilities are exploring
carbon capture technologies to
mitigate emissions.
• Direct Air Capture: Projects like
Climeworks capture CO2 directly
from the atmosphere for various
applications.
.5
CASE
STUDIES AND
CURRENT
PROJECTS
1. Boundary Dam Project (Canada)
• Overview: First large-scale carbon capture and
storage (CCS) project integrated with a coal-
fired power plant.
• Outcomes: Captures over 1 million tons of CO2
annually, providing insights into operational
efficiency and cost management.
2. Sleipner Project (Norway)
• Overview: One of the first commercial CCS
projects, injecting CO2 into a saline aquifer
since 1996.
• Outcomes: Successfully stored over 20 million
tons of CO2, demonstrating long-term storage
viability.
3. The Gorgon Project (Australia)
• Overview: Large-scale CCS initiative as part of
a natural gas project, aiming to capture and
store around 4 million tons of CO2 per year.
• Outcomes: Offers lessons on the complexities
of geological storage and regulatory
frameworks.
4. Climeworks Direct Air Capture (Switzerland)
• Overview: Focuses on capturing CO2 directly
from the atmosphere.
• Outcomes: Operates several facilities that
collectively capture thousands of tons of CO2
annually, highlighting scalability potential.
.6
CHALLENGES
AND
LIMITATIONS
1. Economic Viability
• High Costs: Sustainable processes often require significant
investment.
• Market Acceptance: Economic benefits may take time to
realize.
2. Technological Limitations
• Efficiency: Many sustainable technologies are not yet
optimized for large-scale use.
• Integration: Difficulties in integrating new processes with
existing systems.
3. Regulatory Issues
• Complex Regulations: Navigating environmental regulations
can be complicated.
• Policy Changes: Frequent shifts in sustainability policies
create uncertainty.
4. Environmental Impact
• Lifecycle Assessment: Comprehensive evaluations of
environmental impact can be challenging.
• Resource Access: Limited availability of sustainable materials 7. Measurement and Reporting
affects feasibility.
• Sustainability Metrics: Establishing clear metrics can be difficult.
5. Public Perception • Data Access: Limited data availability complicates assessments.
• Community Resistance: Local opposition to projects can
hinder implementation. 8. Innovation Gaps
• Need for Education: Raising awareness about sustainability
requires effort. • Research Limitations: Gaps in research hinder the development of
effective solutions.
6. Interdisciplinary Collaboration • Development Timeline: Innovations can take years to transition
from research to application.
• Coordination Isses: Working across diverse fields can lead to
communication challenges. 9. Climate Change
• Alignment of Goals: Competing objectives among
stakeholders can complicate projects. • Adaptation Challenges: Ongoing climate change presents
unpredictable obstacles.
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FUTURE PROSPECTS AND
INNOVATIONS
1. Advancements in Technology
• Innovations like membrane technologies and improved sorbents are
being researched to enhance capture efficiency and reduce costs.
2. Integration with Renewable Energy
• Combining carbon capture with renewable energy sources can
create negative emissions and provide sustainable solutions to energy
production.
3. Utilization of Captured CO2
• Emerging methods for using captured CO2 in products (e.g.,
concrete, fuels) could provide economic incentives and further
reduce emissions.
4. Policy and Regulation
• Stronger governmental policies and carbon pricing mechanisms may
incentivize the adoption of carbon capture technologies.
5. Global Collaboration
• Increased international collaboration can lead to shared knowledge,
reduced costs, and the establishment of best practices in CCS
deployment.
.8
CHEMCAL ENGINEERS
MODERN FIGHT:
1. Process Design and Optimization:
• Designing and optimizing processes for
In the context of Carbon capturing CO₂ from industrial sources such
as power plants, cement factories, and steel
Capture and Storage (CCS)
mills.
and Carbon Dioxide • Developing efficient and cost-effective
Utilization (CDU), chemical capture technologies, including absorption,
engineers play several crucial adsorption, membrane separation, and
cryogenic processes.
roles. Here’s a breakdown of 2. Separation and Purification:
their contributions in these • Enhancing technologies for separating
areas: CO₂ from flue gases and other gas streams.
• Ensuring the purity of captured CO₂ to
meet storage or utilization requirements.
3. Transportation:
4. Storage Solutions: • Designing infrastructure for transporting
Identifying suitable geological formations for captured CO₂, including pipelines, shipping
long-term CO₂ storage, such as depleted oil routes, and compression stations.
and gas fields, saline aquifers, and • Ensuring the safe and efficient movement
unmineable coal seams.
of CO₂ from capture sites to storage or
• Developing injection techniques and
utilization locations.
monitoring systems to ensure the secure
storage of CO₂ without leaks or
environmental impacts.
5. Monitoring and Verification:
• Implementing monitoring technologies to
track CO₂ movement and ensure it remains
contained within storage sites.
• Conducting risk assessments and
developing contingency plans for potential
leaks or other issues.
6. Regulatory Compliance and Safety:
• Ensuring that CCS operations comply with
environmental regulations and safety
standards.
• Developing protocols for the safe
handling, transportation, and storage of CO₂.
.9
Proficiency in data
analysis tools and Pursue relevant
programming certifications (e.g., LEED,
languages like Six Sigma)
MATLAB, Python,
or R. COLLABORATION
Skills PROJECT
Needed
MANAGEMENT
Attending workshops on
sustainability practices.
Competence
in process
Proficiency in
safety
designing,
management,
hazard analyzing, and COMMUNICATION
analysis (e.g., optimizing
HAZOP), and chemical Research Skills
1. Innovation and Problem-
risk
processes. Solving
assessment. • Ability to develop and
• Familiarity with implement innovative solutions
to sustainability challenges.
process simulation 2. Regulatory Knowledge
• Understanding of local and
software like Aspen global sustainability regulations
Plus, HYSYS, and and standards.
.10 CHEMCAD
CONCLUSION
In summary, carbon capture and storage (CCS) represents a crucial yet
contentious component in the global strategy to combat climate change.
Despite skepticism surrounding its costs and feasibility, ongoing research and
technological advancements illustrate a pathway for CCS to play a significant
role in achieving sustainability goals. The exploration of CO2 utilization
further emphasizes its potential as a valuable resource, transforming a
perceived liability into opportunities for innovation in agriculture,
construction, and energy.
As we navigate the complexities of environmental stewardship and economic
growth, it is imperative for chemical engineers to actively engage in
developing and promoting these technologies. Collaborative efforts between
academia, industry, and policymakers will be essential to overcome existing
barriers and drive the large-scale adoption of carbon capture solutions. While
challenges remain, the combined promise of CCS and CO2 utilization,
supported by robust policy frameworks, offers a hopeful vision for a
sustainable future where economic and environmental objectives align.
There’s no doubt the cost of capturing carbon dioxide is hugely challenging.
But as the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change made clear in its 2014
report, the cost of not capturing it is greater. Without CCS, their models show
the costs of keeping us below 2°C more than doubles.
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