A comprehensive review of biomass based thermochemical conversion technologies integrated with CO2 capture and utilisation within BECCS networks

Abstract

The future of the global environment is at threat due to global warming and climate change primarily driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy with carbon dioxide capture and storage/utilisation (BECCS/U) through its CO2 negative emission capacity is considered a principal component of global mitigation strategies as agreed in the Paris climate change agreement. In this study, the current global status and efforts to implement BECCS systems are comprehensively reviewed. The potential for thermochemical conversion processes (combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, and liquefaction) to manifest within BECCS systems is analysed, in addition to their integration potential with carbon dioxide capture methods. Outcomes suggest that gasification and combustion processes when integrated with CO2 capture and storage (CCS), within combine heat and power (CHP) configurations, biomass integrated gasification combine cycle (BIGCC) and chemical looping cycle (CLC) are mature technologies. Furthermore, this review indicates that pyrolysis and liquefaction process are commercial and lab-scale respectively. When integrated within BECCS systems, pyrolysis systems are at the pilot level and liquefaction processes are at lab scale. Moreover, a comprehensive discussion on the negative emission potential from various BECCS configurations is provided, highlighting their role in advancing bio-refineries through waste management and conversion to value-added products such as biochar, ethanol, bio diesel etc. The pyrolysis process has CO2 mitigation potential of 2.2 GtCO2/year by 2020-2050. Finally, an insight into the commercial barriers and future perspectives of BECCS technologies, role of international supply chains therein, and the need for effective stakeholder management to facilitate BECCS systems within global trade.