The Planet's Quest to Capture Carbon
Technologies advancing carbon capture and utilization, many innovations led by the oil and gas industry.
In the quest for combating climate change, carbon capture technologies have emerged as a crucial tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These technologies aim to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from various sources such as power plants, industrial processes, and even directly from the atmosphere.
In this Carbon Conversation, we delve into the different types of carbon capture technologies, their mechanisms, and their potential impact on mitigating climate change.
1. Pre-combustion Carbon Capture: Pre-combustion carbon capture involves capturing CO2 before it is released into the atmosphere during the combustion of fossil fuels. In this process, fossil fuels are converted into syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) through gasification.
The CO2 is then separated from the syngas before combustion, leaving behind hydrogen that can be used as a clean fuel. This method is commonly used in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants and is considered one of the most efficient carbon capture technologies.
Several companies and research institutions are actively working on pre-combustion carbon capture technologies. Some notable examples include:
NET Power: NET Power is a technology company focused on developing natural gas power plants with zero emissions. Their Allam Cycle power plant utilizes pre-combustion carbon capture to produce electricity with no air emissions and low-cost CO2 for industrial use or sequestration.
Petra Nova: Petra Nova is a carbon capture and storage project located at the W.A. Parish Generating Station near Houston, Texas. It is a joint venture between NRG Energy and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration. The project captures CO2 from the flue gas of a coal-fired power plant using a post-combustion carbon capture system, but it also incorporates pre-combustion carbon capture from a syngas generator.
Shell Quest Carbon Capture and Storage Project: The Quest project, operated by Shell Canada, captures CO2 from the Scotford Upgrader near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It employs pre-combustion carbon capture technology to capture CO2 from hydrogen production during bitumen upgrading.
Hydrogen Production Facilities: Some hydrogen production facilities utilize pre-combustion carbon capture as part of their processes. Companies like Air Liquide, Linde, and others may incorporate pre-combustion carbon capture to produce hydrogen with reduced emissions.
2. Post-combustion Carbon Capture: Post-combustion carbon capture is the most widely deployed carbon capture technology today. It involves capturing CO2 from the flue gas emitted by industrial processes or power plants after combustion. The captured CO2 is then separated using various techniques such as chemical absorption, adsorption, or membrane separation. Post-combustion carbon capture can be retrofitted to existing infrastructure, making it a practical solution for reducing emissions from existing sources.
Several companies and research institutions are actively involved in post-combustion carbon capture, either through ongoing projects, pilot plants, or research initiatives. Here are some notable examples:
Boundary Dam Power Station: Located in Saskatchewan, Canada, the Boundary Dam Power Station is operated by SaskPower. It is home to one of the world's first large-scale post-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. The facility captures CO2 emissions from a coal-fired power plant and transports the captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.
Petra Nova: As mentioned earlier, Petra Nova is a joint venture between NRG Energy and JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration. While it also incorporates pre-combustion carbon capture, it primarily utilizes post-combustion carbon capture technology to capture CO2 emissions from the flue gas of a coal-fired power plant.
Chevron's Gorgon LNG Project: Located on Barrow Island off the coast of Western Australia, the Gorgon LNG project operated by Chevron incorporates post-combustion carbon capture to reduce CO2 emissions from natural gas processing. The captured CO2 is then injected into deep underground reservoirs.
Longannet Power Station CCS Pilot Project: The Longannet Power Station in Scotland, UK, conducted a post-combustion carbon capture pilot project before the station was decommissioned. The project aimed to capture CO2 emissions from a coal-fired power plant and store them underground.
Carbon Clean Solutions: Carbon Clean Solutions is a technology company that specializes in post-combustion carbon capture solutions. They have developed proprietary solvent-based carbon capture technology that can be retrofitted onto existing power plants and industrial facilities.
3. Oxy-fuel Combustion: Oxy-fuel combustion involves burning fossil fuels in an atmosphere of pure oxygen instead of air. This results in a flue gas primarily composed of CO2 and water vapor, making it easier to capture and separate the CO2. Oxy-fuel combustion can achieve high CO2 capture rates, making it a promising technology for power generation and industrial processes.
While oxy-fuel combustion is still in the demonstration and pilot project phase for large-scale power plants, several entities have been involved in researching and developing this technology:
DOE's National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC): Located in Wilsonville, Alabama, USA, the National Carbon Capture Center is a facility supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed and operated by Southern Company. It hosts various research and development projects related to carbon capture technologies, including oxy-fuel combustion.
Vattenfall: Vattenfall, a Swedish multinational energy company, has been actively involved in oxy-fuel combustion research. They conducted the oxyfuel combustion pilot project at Schwarze Pumpe, Germany, which was one of the first large-scale demonstrations of oxy-fuel technology for coal-fired power plants.
SINTEF Energy Research: SINTEF Energy Research, based in Norway, is a research institution that has been involved in oxy-fuel combustion research. They have contributed to various projects and studies aimed at understanding and advancing oxy-fuel combustion technology.
Chinese Research Institutions: Several research institutions and universities in China have been conducting research on oxy-fuel combustion technology as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.
European Union (EU) Research Projects: The EU has funded various research projects focused on oxy-fuel combustion as part of its efforts to develop low-carbon technologies for power generation. These projects often involve collaboration between research institutions, universities, and industry partners across Europe.
4. Direct Air Capture (DAC): Direct Air Capture is a nascent technology that involves capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere. DAC systems use chemical processes or materials that selectively absorb CO2 from ambient air. Once captured, the CO2 can be stored underground or utilized in various industrial processes. While still in the early stages of development, DAC has the potential to remove CO2 from the atmosphere at scale, offering a means of offsetting emissions from sectors that are difficult to decarbonize.
While DAC is still in its early stages of commercial deployment, several companies and research institutions are actively involved in developing and deploying DAC technology. Here are a few examples:
Carbon Engineering: Based in Canada, Carbon Engineering is a leading company in DAC technology development. They have developed a DAC process that captures CO2 from ambient air using a series of chemical reactions. Carbon Engineering has built a pilot plant in Squamish, British Columbia, to demonstrate their DAC technology at scale.
Climeworks: Climeworks, a Swiss company, is another key player in the DAC space. They have developed DAC technology that captures CO2 from ambient air using specially designed filters. Climeworks has deployed several DAC plants in Europe, including one in Switzerland and another in Iceland. These plants capture CO2 for use in various applications, including carbon-neutral fuels and carbonation of beverages.
Global Thermostat: Global Thermostat, based in the United States, has developed DAC technology that uses a proprietary sorbent material to capture CO2 from ambient air. They have demonstrated their technology at a pilot plant in Silicon Valley and are working on commercializing their DAC technology for various applications, including carbon sequestration and utilization.
DAC Projects in Iceland: Iceland has emerged as a hotspot for DAC technology due to its favorable geology for CO2 storage and abundant renewable energy resources. Several DAC projects are underway in Iceland, including those by Climeworks and Carbon Engineering, which are exploring the feasibility of capturing CO2 from ambient air and storing it underground in geological formations.
Government-Supported Projects: Various governments and research institutions around the world are supporting DAC research and development. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the European Commission fund research projects focused on advancing DAC technology and exploring its potential applications for mitigating climate change.
5. Biological Carbon Capture: Biological carbon capture utilizes natural or engineered biological processes to capture and store CO2. This can include methods such as afforestation (planting trees to absorb CO2), bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and enhancing carbon storage in soils through agricultural practices. Biological carbon capture harnesses the power of nature to sequester carbon and restore balance to the carbon cycle.
Several entities, including companies, research institutions, and environmental organizations, are exploring and utilizing biological carbon capture methods. Here are a few examples:
Forestry and Afforestation Projects: Planting trees and restoring forests is one of the most common and effective forms of biological carbon capture. Companies, governments, and non-profit organizations worldwide undertake afforestation and reforestation projects to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Examples include:
The Arbor Day Foundation, which leads reforestation efforts globally.
The Bonn Challenge, a global initiative to restore 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030.
Agricultural Practices: Certain agricultural practices can enhance carbon sequestration in soils, known as carbon farming. Techniques such as no-till farming, cover cropping, and crop rotation increase soil organic carbon content, thereby capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Organizations promoting regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management include:
The Rodale Institute, which conducts research and provides education on organic farming and regenerative agriculture.
The Regenerative Organic Alliance, which certifies products produced using regenerative organic practices.
Algae Cultivation: Algae have the ability to capture CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Companies and research institutions are exploring the use of algae cultivation for carbon capture and biofuel production. Examples include:
Synthetic Genomics, a biotechnology company that researches algae-based solutions for carbon capture and renewable energy.
Algae-based carbon capture projects in wastewater treatment facilities, where algae consume CO2 while treating wastewater.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): BECCS involves generating energy from biomass while capturing and storing the CO2 emissions. By using sustainably sourced biomass, BECCS can achieve negative emissions, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Several research projects and pilot plants are exploring BECCS technology around the world, including initiatives led by energy companies and academic institutions.
Conclusion: Carbon capture technologies hold immense promise in the fight against climate change by reducing CO2 emissions from various sources. From pre-combustion and post-combustion capture to emerging technologies like direct air capture and biological carbon capture, there is a diverse range of approaches to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Continued research, development, and deployment of these technologies are essential to achieving global climate targets and securing a sustainable future for generations to come.
Jason Spiess is an award-winning multimedia journalist, entrepreneur and content consultant with over 35 years of media experience in broadcasting, journalism, publishing and principal ownership in media companies. He is currently operating a permaculture acre, an off-the-grid company, is a father and cancer survivor.
In addition, Spiess is the host of several newsmagazine radio programs, writes columns, articles and special features for a variety of newspapers and magazines. Spiess has also worked as a guest correspondent for a number of local and global news organizations from 660 KEYZ AM Williston to CNBC to the BBC World. He has also won numerous regional and national awards from the newspaper, broadcast, magazine and the hospitality industries.
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Thought experiment:
How many kilograms of fossil fuels or equivalent need to be burned in order to capture 1 kilogram of CO2?
The issue with this isn't that the tech to capture carbon is doesn't work - it's that it's unnecessary. While we don't want to release pollutants into the air - CO2 is not a pollutant. It's plant food. They need CO2 to thrive and they give us oxygen. The More CO2 is in the air, the more plants will grow in harsher environments. We should want the CO2 to be more like it was when dinosaurs walked the earth (a LOT more in the air than there currently is now).