Carbon capture and utilization

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (C O₂) from industrial processes and transporting it to where one intends to use it in industrial processes.^[1]

As of 2022, around 73% of the CO₂ captured annually is used for enhanced oil recovery.^[2] Around 1% of captured CO₂ is used as a feedstock for making products such fertilizer, e-fuels, concrete and reactants for various chemical synthesis.^[3]^[4]

There are several additional considerations to be taken into account. As CO₂ is a thermodynamically stable form of carbon, manufacturing products from it is energy intensive.^[5] The availability of other raw materials to create a product should also be considered before investing in CCU.

Considering the different potential options for capture and utilization, research suggests that those involving chemicals, fuels and microalgae have limited potential for CO₂ removal, while those that involve construction materials and agricultural use can be more effective.^[6]

The profitability of CCU depends partly on the carbon price of CO₂ being released into the atmosphere. Carbon capture and utilization may offer a response to the global challenge of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from major stationary (industrial) emitters.^[7]

^ Cuéllar-Franca, Rosa M.; Azapagic, Adisa (March 2015). "Carbon capture, storage and utilisation technologies: A critical analysis and comparison of their life cycle environmental impacts". Journal of CO₂ Utilization. 9: 82–102. doi:10.1016/j.jcou.2014.12.001.
^ Robertson, Bruce; Mousavian, Milad (September 1, 2022). "The carbon capture crux: Lessons learned" (PDF). Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
^ Martin-Roberts, Emma; Scott, Vivian; Flude, Stephanie; Johnson, Gareth; Haszeldine, R. Stuart; Gilfillan, Stuart (November 2021). "Carbon capture and storage at the end of a lost decade". One Earth. 4 (11): 1645–1646. doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2021.10.023. hdl:20.500.11820/45b9f880-71e1-4b24-84fd-b14a80d016f3. ISSN 2590-3322. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
^ Dibenedetto, Angela; Angelini, Antonella; Stufano, Paolo (March 2014). "Use of carbon dioxide as feedstock for chemicals and fuels: homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis: Use of carbon dioxide as feedstock for chemicals and fuels". Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 89 (3): 334–353. doi:10.1002/jctb.4229.
^ Smit, Berend; Reimer, Jeffrey A; Oldenburg, Curtis M; Bourg, Ian C (2013-06-18). Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration. The Berkeley Lectures on Energy. Imperial College Press. doi:10.1142/p911. ISBN 9781783263271.
^ Hepburn, Cameron; Adlen, Ella; Beddington, John; Carter, Emily A.; Fuss, Sabine; Mac Dowell, Niall; Minx, Jan C.; Smith, Pete; Williams, Charlotte K. (6 November 2019). "The technological and economic prospects for CO₂ utilization and removal". Nature. 575 (7781): 87–97. Bibcode:2019Natur.575...87H. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1681-6. hdl:10044/1/75208. PMID 31695213.
^ "Carbon Capture". Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Retrieved 2020-04-22.

[:0-1] Cuéllar-Franca, Rosa M.; Azapagic, Adisa (March 2015). "Carbon capture, storage and utilisation technologies: A critical analysis and comparison of their life cycle environmental impacts". Journal of CO₂ Utilization. 9: 82–102. doi:10.1016/j.jcou.2014.12.001.

[:13-2] Robertson, Bruce; Mousavian, Milad (September 1, 2022). "The carbon capture crux: Lessons learned" (PDF). Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-06-27.

[3] Martin-Roberts, Emma; Scott, Vivian; Flude, Stephanie; Johnson, Gareth; Haszeldine, R. Stuart; Gilfillan, Stuart (November 2021). "Carbon capture and storage at the end of a lost decade". One Earth. 4 (11): 1645–1646. doi:10.1016/j.oneear.2021.10.023. hdl:20.500.11820/45b9f880-71e1-4b24-84fd-b14a80d016f3. ISSN 2590-3322. Retrieved 2024-06-21.

[4] Dibenedetto, Angela; Angelini, Antonella; Stufano, Paolo (March 2014). "Use of carbon dioxide as feedstock for chemicals and fuels: homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis: Use of carbon dioxide as feedstock for chemicals and fuels". Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 89 (3): 334–353. doi:10.1002/jctb.4229.

[:4-5] Smit, Berend; Reimer, Jeffrey A; Oldenburg, Curtis M; Bourg, Ian C (2013-06-18). Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration. The Berkeley Lectures on Energy. Imperial College Press. doi:10.1142/p911. ISBN 9781783263271.

[6] Hepburn, Cameron; Adlen, Ella; Beddington, John; Carter, Emily A.; Fuss, Sabine; Mac Dowell, Niall; Minx, Jan C.; Smith, Pete; Williams, Charlotte K. (6 November 2019). "The technological and economic prospects for CO₂ utilization and removal". Nature. 575 (7781): 87–97. Bibcode:2019Natur.575...87H. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1681-6. hdl:10044/1/75208. PMID 31695213.

[7] "Carbon Capture". Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Retrieved 2020-04-22.

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