Critical Analysis and Evaluation of the Technology Pathways for Carbon Capture and Utilization

Simon P Philbin

doi:10.3390/cleantechnol2040031

Abstract

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is the process of capturing unwanted carbon dioxide (CO2) and utilizing for further use. CCU offers significant potential as part of a sustainable circular economy solution to help mitigate the impact of climate change resulting from the burning of hydrocarbons and alongside adoption of other renewable energy technologies. However, implementation of CCU technologies faces a number of challenges, including identifying optimal pathways, technology maturity, economic viability, environmental considerations as well as regulatory and public perception issues. Consequently, this research study provides a critical analysis and evaluation of the technology pathways for CCU in order to explore the potential from a circular economy perspective of this emerging area of clean technology. This includes a bibliographic study on CCU, evaluation of carbon utilization processes, trend estimation of CO2 usage as well as evaluation of methane and methanol production. A value chain analysis is provided to support the development of CCU technologies. The research study aims to inform policy-makers engaged in developing strategies to mitigate climate change through reduced carbon dioxide emission levels and improve our understanding of the circular economy considerations of CCU in regard to production of alternative products. The study will also be of use to researchers concerned with pursuing empirical investigations of this important area of sustainability.

Highlights

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) refers to the process of capturing unwanted carbon dioxide (CO2) in order for it to be recycled for further use [1,2]
CCU remains a worthy area of technological development to be investigated according to a systematic and evidence-based approach according to critical analysis and evaluation of the technology pathways for this industrial process
This article has provided a critical analysis and evaluation of the technology pathways for carbon capture and utilization (CCU), which has focused on the key areas to be addressed in order for CCU technologies to be commercialized for industrial application

Summary

Introduction

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) refers to the process of capturing unwanted carbon dioxide (CO2) in order for it to be recycled for further use [1,2]. This is distinct from carbon capture and storage (CCS), where the CO2 is captured and compressed as pressurized gas for long-term storage at geological sites [3] Both CCS and CCU offer potential technological solutions to mitigate the deleterious impact of climate change caused by excessive burning of hydrocarbons and the resultant greenhouse gas (GHG) effect of high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). In the case of limiting the increase to 2 ◦C, it has been estimated that global CO2 emissions would need to be reduced by approximately 50% by the year 2050 [6] and there is an urgent need to implement solutions that have the capacity to be ramped up rapidly to industrial scale in order to achieve this magnitude of reduction in CO2 levels It should be noted, that the original 2 ◦C target is subject to a range of assumptions and probabilities associated with the possible reduction in CO2 levels. Clearly staying within the increase of up to 2 ◦C is an important target in the context of mitigating the impact of climate change it is recognized that staying within an increase of up to 1.5 ◦C is the preferred outcome, which is clearly a more demanding target to be pursued

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