Pre-combustion capture is typically used in the fertiliser, chemical, gaseous fuel and power generation industries. The technology for this capture method can be retrofitted to existing power stations as well as being built into new build plants. Typically used at power plants, this process involves the capture of carbon dioxide from flue gases released by power stations or other carbon emission producing sites. Post combustion capture involves the removal of CO 2 following combustion of the fossil fuel. Methods for carbon capture can be broadly split into three technologies post combustion, pre-combustion and oxyfuel combustion: Post Combustion Capture This creates pure CO 2, in quantities slightly less than ethanol by weight, which can be pumped underground (see ‘transport’ and ‘storage,’ below).

Other areas where carbon capture can be used include from organisms that produce ethanol during fermentation. As mentioned above, CO 2 can be captured directly from the air, although this is less effective and more difficult than capture at source. There are a variety of technologies that can be used for carbon capture, including absorption, adsorption, chemical looping, gas hydrate technologies and membrane gas separation.ĬO 2 capture is best performed directly at source, such as at biomass or fossil fuel energy plants, natural gas electric power stations, natural gas processing assets, synthetic fuel plants, fossil fuel-based hydrogen production plants and those industries that produce large quantities of CO 2 emissions. Here we will investigate these three steps as well as some alternatives: 1. CaptureĬarbon dioxide can be captured from an industrial source (such as a power plant) or directly from the air. Storage: Finally, the CO 2 is injected into underground rock formations or otherwise placed into permanent storage.Transport: CO 2 can be compressed into a liquid form or kept as a gas before being transported to a storage site.Capture: The CO 2 is separated from other gases that are produced during industrial processes such as those of cement or steel factories or natural gas and coal fired power plants.Other possible uses of captured carbon include using CO 2 in plastic or concrete materials or converting it into biomass, for example, by feeding it to algae that is then harvested and processed into biofuel.Ĭarbon capture and storage typically involves three basic steps: The best established from of CCSU is enhanced oil recovery (EOR), whereby the CO 2 is injected into oil and gas reservoirs to increase their extraction. This prevents the CO 2 from entering the atmosphere, mitigating against carbon emissions from industry and heating and thereby reducing the contribution to global warming and ocean acidification.Ĭaptured CO2 can also be used to make commercially marketable products in a process called carbon capture storage and utilisation (CCSU). Storage methods include the CO 2 being pumped deep underground, often at depths of over 1km, where it is stored in depleted coalbeds or oil and gas reservoirs or in deep saline aquifers where the geology for storage is suitable.

Once captured, the CO 2 can be compressed into a liquid state or left as a gas before being transported by ship, road or pipeline to a storage site. Pre-combustion is more suited to new build power plants, as they would require large modifications to existing power stations. Post combustion and oxyfuel technologies can be retrofitted to old plants, meaning that existing power stations can be turned into carbon capturing assets.

Oxyfuel: This technology burns fossil fuels in almost pure oxygen to create CO 2 and steam.

Pre-Combustion: This is carried out before the fossil fuel is burnt by converting the fuel into a mixture of CO 2 and hydrogen.

Post Combustion: This involves the removal of CO 2 from the flue gases formed from burning fossil fuels.

The technology is able to capture up to 90% of CO 2 emissions that are released by burning fossil fuels during electricity generation and industrial processes such as steel or cement production.Īlso known as carbon capture and sequestration and carbon control and sequestration, the process can be achieved using a variety of methods.

National Structural Integrity Research CentreĬarbon capture and storage (CCS) is the capture and storing of carbon dioxide (CO 2) before it is released into the atmosphere.Structural Integrity Research Foundation.

Carbon capture technology examples