Carbon Capture

What Does Carbon Capture Mean?

Carbon capture is a process by which carbon dioxide (CO₂) released from industrial processes is captured and stored rather than being released into the atmosphere. Once trapped, the CO₂ is separated from other gases that are byproducts of industrial processes, transported through pipelines, and stored deep underground.

Carbon capture technology can help prevent the atmospheric release of up to 90% of CO₂ emissions.

Safeopedia Explains Carbon Capture

Many industrial processes, such as electricity generation, cement and steel production, and refining, are powered by coal, natural gas, and other fuels that generate carbon dioxide. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is currently one of the most effective ways to reduce the levels of CO₂ emitted from large-scale industrial operations.

Methods of Carbon Capture

The primary methods for capturing carbon dioxide are:

• Pre-combustion – Converting fossil fuels into a product that does not contain CO₂ but can still combust and be used as fuel.
• Post-combustion – Flue gases formed from the burning of fossil fuels are “scrubbed” using a chemical solvent to separate the CO₂ from the other components of the emissions.
• Oxy-fuel combustion – Burning fuel in an atmosphere that is almost entirely made up of pure oxygen (as opposed to ambient air, which is only about 20% oxygen), resulting in flue gas with high concentrations of CO₂ and water vapor. This flue gas then undergoes a dehydration process to remove the water component and isolate the carbon dioxide.

Captured CO₂ can be used for commercial or industrial purposes, or it can be injected into geological formations deep under the earth's surface, usually at depths over 1 km (0.62 mi). These permanent storage spaces for captured CO₂ include coalbeds, deep saline aquifers, and depleted oil and gas reservoirs.

Implementing Carbon Capture Technology

According to a 2022 report by the Global CCS Institute, there were 194 large-scale CCS facilities worldwide. Of these projects, 30 are in operation, 11 are under construction, and the remaining are in various stages of development.

However, there are some costs and risks associated with carbon capture and storage. CO₂ storage regulations require rigorous monitoring of storage operations, and regulatory frameworks are being developed worldwide.

This monitoring is required for a variety of reasons:

• Verifying the composition and amount of CO₂ that is being stored underground
• Understanding the behavior of CO₂ once it is injected into geological formations
• Assuring integrity for long-term storage
• Identifying warning signs if the storage process does not go as planned
• Detecting leakages