A Systematic Review of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage: Status, Progress and Challenges

Abstract

The problem of global warming and climate change has attracted global attention, and reducing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is an important step towards solving the problem. This paper mainly introduces the current development status, research hotspots, challenges and some emerging technologies of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). Among CO2 capture technologies, solvent absorption technology is currently the most mature and widely used technology, among which ionic liquid technology has great application prospects because its molecular structure can be designed and different functional groups can be connected. The surface functionalization of metal–organic frameworks in the adsorption method endows them with excellent CO2 adsorption capacity. In CO2 transportation, temperature and pressure must be considered in pipeline transportation, because they will affect the phase state of CO2 transportation. The impact of impurities on CO2 pipeline transportation is a challenge that affects pipeline design and transportation safety. In CO2 utilization, the key to enhanced oil recovery, gas recovery and displacement of coalbed methane is to increase the recovery rate and increase the storage capacity at the same time. Only by strengthening the research on the adsorption behavior between CO2 and CH4 and revealing the relevant mechanism can innovative technologies be developed. The chemical utilization of CO2 has formed many routes, but they all lack certain advantages. Most scholars are working on catalysts for CO2 conversion, especially copper-based catalysts that can convert CO2 into methanol. The conversion rate of CO2 can be effectively increased through doping or process improvement. The coupling of electrocatalytic technology and renewable energy is an important development direction in the future. In CO2 storage, geological storage is currently the most important method, especially in saline aquifers. There are currently critical issues concerning reservoir integrity and leakage potential that should be further investigated. CO2 leakage will cause serious environmental problems, and the common monitoring methods are reviewed and discussed in this paper. Finally, the research status, hotspots and cooperation networks of CCUS are summarized by using CiteSpace software in order to help the development of CCUS technology. In addition, through the review and analysis, it is found that CCUS is faced with challenges such as low capture efficiency, difficulties in transformation and utilization, high operating costs, lack of strong support policies, and lack of international cooperation, which restrict the further development of CCUS.