Carbon Capture - Ziara Walter Akari

Climate change is escalating, and carbon capture is a promising solution. Technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power plants. This process prevents CO2 from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.

The Science Behind Carbon Capture

How It Works

Carbon capture involves capturing CO2 emissions at their source, such as power plants or industrial facilities. After capture, companies either store the CO2 underground or repurpose it for industrial use.

Key Methods

Pre-Combustion Capture: This method captures CO2 before burning fossil fuels during gasification.

Post-Combustion Capture: This approach captures CO2 after burning fossil fuels using chemical solvents to separate CO2 from flue gases.

Direct Air Capture: This method extracts CO2 directly from the air, a developing but promising technology.

Applications of Carbon Capture

Carbon Storage: Captured CO2 can be stored underground in geological formations like deep saline formations or depleted oil fields. These formations can securely store large amounts of CO2 for thousands of years.

Carbon Utilization: In addition to storage, captured CO2 can be used in various industrial processes, including enhanced oil recovery. Moreover, CO2 can be converted into products like building materials, chemicals, and synthetic fuels.

Diagram showing CO2 stocks and net flows in the human and natural world, highlighting 10 utilization and removal pathways with colored arrows indicating carbon capture & storage in open systems, closed systems, and cycling pathways. — Carbon Brief: Stocks and net flows (large light blue arrows) of CO2 around the human and natural world, including 10 numbered potential utilisation and removal pathways. These are marked with coloured arrows that denote whether carbon is stored in open systems (purple arrows) that can be sources or sinks of CO2, closed systems (red) for near-permanent storage or cycling pathways (yellow) that only temporarily shift carbon.
Source: Hepburn et al. (2019).

Benefits of Carbon Capture

Mitigating Climate Change: Carbon capture reduces emissions, especially in industries where emissions are difficult to eliminate. This technology plays a critical role in the fight against climate change.

Supporting Clean Energy Transition: Carbon capture allows for the continued use of fossil fuels during the shift to renewable energy sources. This technology provides a bridge to a low-carbon future. It also supports decarbonization in industries like cement, steel, and chemicals, which are challenging to electrify.

Economic Opportunities: Investing in carbon capture technologies creates new economic opportunities. These include job creation in the development, installation, and maintenance of CCS and CCUS systems.

Challenges and Criticisms

High Costs: One main challenge facing carbon capture technology is its high cost, both in installation and operation. However, research and development are ongoing to reduce these costs and make the technology more economically viable.

Energy Requirements: Carbon capture processes require significant energy, which can offset some of the environmental benefits if the energy used is not sourced from renewable or low-carbon sources.

Public Perception: There is also public skepticism about the safety and effectiveness of carbon storage, with concerns about the potential for CO2 leaks and the long-term stability of storage sites.

Future Prospects

Technological Advancements: As technology advances, carbon capture is expected to become more efficient and cost-effective. Innovations in materials, processes, and storage techniques are being explored to enhance the viability of carbon capture on a global scale.

Policy and Regulation: Supportive policies and regulatory frameworks are essential to scaling up carbon capture technologies. Governments and international organizations play a crucial role in providing incentives, setting emission reduction targets, and funding research and development.

Global Collaboration: In addition, carbon capture requires global cooperation, with countries and companies working together to share knowledge, technology, and best practices. Collaboration is key to overcoming the challenges and achieving widespread adoption of carbon capture.

Carbon capture is a crucial tool in the fight against climate change. While it is not a silver bullet, it offers a way to reduce emissions from some of the most challenging sectors and support the transition to a sustainable energy future. By continuing to invest in and develop carbon capture technologies, we can take significant steps toward meeting global climate goals and securing a healthier planet for future generations.