CCUS Technology Research Articles

Technical and economic analysis of different colours of producing hydrogen in China

This paper explores the different types of hydrogen production by exploring them and giving each a different colour. From dark to money in descending order, they represent a gradual reduction in pollution. The basic principles, advantages and disadvantages of the respective production methods are explored at a technical level. The learning curve theory calculates the individual learning rates for different hydrogen production methods to increase the installed capacity while reducing the capital investment and cost of hydrogen production. The study concludes that coal-based hydrogen production is currently the primary method of hydrogen production in China in the short term due to its high resource endowment of coal. As CCUS technology matures, converting brown hydrogen to blue hydrogen and grey hydrogen to turquoise hydrogen are the two more economically viable options. For the cleanest form of green hydrogen, the fundamental problems are the impediments of electrolyser technology (PEM, SOEC cannot be commercialised) and the high wind and photovoltaic power cost. The solution is to use wind and light abandonment to increase hydrogen production in the short term and replace fossil energy with renewable energy generation in the long term to achieve clean hydrogen production. For hydrogen energy, the vigorous development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the massive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in transport is essential to achieving carbon neutrality while ensuring the supply of hydrogens such as blue hydrogen and green hydrogen.

Coal-fired power plant CCUS project comprehensive benefit evaluation and forecasting model study

As an important means to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants, CCUS project has received more and more attention. In this paper, the comprehensive benefits of CCUS project in coal-fired power plants are defined as economic benefits, environmental benefits and energy benefits, and comprehensive evaluation and prediction analysis of CCUS project in coal-fired power plants are made from these three aspects. The goodness-of-fit of the constructed comprehensive evaluation model can reach 0.99, and the ratio of economic, environmental and energy benefits is about 5: 9: 1. Among them, the best scenario of policy influence, economic development and technological progress can promote CCUS project with benefits of 6.51%, 6.56% and 13.07% respectively. Through case analysis, it can be calculated that when the service life of CCUS project reaches 21.7 years, the investment cost can be recovered from the economic benefits. In the prediction model, the goodness of fit of the economic benefit prediction model is up to 0.95, in which the carbon capture cost of CCUS technology, operation and maintenance cost and carbon price fluctuation play a major role. The goodness of fit of the environmental benefit prediction model can reach 0.90, in which the carbon capture capacity of CCUS project and the world environmental situation are the main influencing factors, and the goodness of fit of the energy benefit prediction model can reach up to 0.95, which is mainly affected by the energy consumption level of CCUS project. The research results show that CCUS project of coal-fired power plants at home and abroad has a good development prospect and remarkable comprehensive benefits. This paper puts forward relevant policy suggestions that are beneficial to the development of CCUS project in coal-fired power plants, with a view to providing empirical evidence for the evaluation and decision-making of CCUS project in coal-fired power plants.

Comparison and Clarification of China and US CCUS Technology Development

The content of the China-US CCUS technology development roadmap is summarized based on the roadmap update in 2019. Qualitative analysis and evaluation were conducted from the perspectives of running CCUS demonstrations or industrial projects, CO2 pipeline infrastructure, established regulatory frameworks, policy support, research and development capabilities, and geological storage resources. A simple analysis of the development status of carbon capture, storage, and utilization technology through relevant patent data is provided. Future planning by China and the United States in terms of planning volume, investment funds, related industries, transportation methods, geological storage, geological utilization, other utilization methods, and incentive policies is compared. Overall, US CCUS technology development is in the leading position in the world; it has entered the stage of small-scale commercial promotion, while the overall development level of China’s CCUS technology is still behind the international advanced level in a small-scale experimental demonstration period, and is still in the catch-up stage. However, as the Chinese government has put forward the strategy of “carbon peaking and carbon neutralization”, CCUS has ushered in a golden opportunity for development in China, and some large-scale industrial demonstration projects have been carried out. This study analyzes China’s advantages and challenges in developing CCUS and gives some suggestions on the direction that China’s CCUS development should take in the future.

효율적인 탄소저감을 위한 CCUS와 배출권거래제와의 관계 구축에 대한 연구

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (20214710100040,CCUS 법률안 정비 및 수용성을 포함한 제도적 기반 구축). Many problems are appearing due to climate disasters or global warming. Therefore, many countries are moving towards ‘net zero’ policy by setting greenhouse gas reduction targets. Korea is also responding to the climate crisis by enacting the Carbon Neutral and Green Growth Framework Act (so called the Carbon Neutral Framework Act). Korea, like other countries, recognizes that CCUS technology is indispensable to achieve ‘zero carbon’ by 2050. Therefore, in Article 34 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, there was a provision on the promotion of carbon capture, use and storage technology to prepare policies to support the development of “carbon capture, use, and storage technology.” Special regulations for the demonstration of technology are to be separately stipulated by law. In order to apply CCUS technology, the CCUS single bill is being revised. Meanwhile, in Korea, the “Act on Allocation and Trade of Greenhouse Gas Emission Permits” is in effect. However, in the EU Emissions Trading Act, which implemented the emission trading system earlier than Korea, and the EU CCS Directive was enacted in 2009 and the EU Emissions Trading Directive was also revised. According to the amendments, the EU ETS provides the important incentive for CCS, and according to the EU legal framework, CO2 captured and safely stored is considered “not released” by the ETS. In addition, the 2018 Directive (EU) 2018/410, which amended 2003/87/EC, made amendments in relation to CCUS. That is, the 325 million allowance in quantities that can be allocated free of charge and 75 million allowances in quantities that can be auctioned under Article 10 can be used to support innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes. contributing to environmentally safe carbon capture and utilization (“CCUS”). Based on the lessons learned from the EU's Emissions Trading Act, we investigated what regulations should be stipulated in the Emissions Trading Act when Korea enacts the single CCUS Act. In addition, the CCUS Act suggested what contents should be stipulated to reflect the emission trading system. This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (20214710100040,CCUS 법률안 정비 및 수용성을 포함한 제도적 기반 구축). Many problems are appearing due to climate disasters or global warming. Therefore, many countries are moving towards ‘net zero’ policy by setting greenhouse gas reduction targets. Korea is also responding to the climate crisis by enacting the Carbon Neutral and Green Growth Framework Act (so called the Carbon Neutral Framework Act). Korea, like other countries, recognizes that CCUS technology is indispensable to achieve ‘zero carbon’ by 2050. Therefore, in Article 34 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, there was a provision on the promotion of carbon capture, use and storage technology to prepare policies to support the development of “carbon capture, use, and storage technology.” Special regulations for the demonstration of technology are to be separately stipulated by law. In order to apply CCUS technology, the CCUS single bill is being revised. Meanwhile, in Korea, the “Act on Allocation and Trade of Greenhouse Gas Emission Permits” is in effect. However, in the EU Emissions Trading Act, which implemented the emission trading system earlier than Korea, and the EU CCS Directive was enacted in 2009 and the EU Emissions Trading Directive was also revised. According to the amendments, the EU ETS provides the important incentive for CCS, and according to the EU legal framework, CO2 capt

효율적인 탄소저감을 위한 CCUS와 배출권거래제와의 관계 구축에 대한 연구

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (20214710100040,CCUS 법률안 정비 및 수용성을 포함한 제도적 기반 구축). Many problems are appearing due to climate disasters or global warming. Therefore, many countries are moving towards ‘net zero’ policy by setting greenhouse gas reduction targets. Korea is also responding to the climate crisis by enacting the Carbon Neutral and Green Growth Framework Act (so called the Carbon Neutral Framework Act). Korea, like other countries, recognizes that CCUS technology is indispensable to achieve ‘zero carbon’ by 2050. Therefore, in Article 34 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, there was a provision on the promotion of carbon capture, use and storage technology to prepare policies to support the development of “carbon capture, use, and storage technology.” Special regulations for the demonstration of technology are to be separately stipulated by law. In order to apply CCUS technology, the CCUS single bill is being revised. Meanwhile, in Korea, the “Act on Allocation and Trade of Greenhouse Gas Emission Permits” is in effect. However, in the EU Emissions Trading Act, which implemented the emission trading system earlier than Korea, and the EU CCS Directive was enacted in 2009 and the EU Emissions Trading Directive was also revised. According to the amendments, the EU ETS provides the important incentive for CCS, and according to the EU legal framework, CO2 captured and safely stored is considered “not released” by the ETS. In addition, the 2018 Directive (EU) 2018/410, which amended 2003/87/EC, made amendments in relation to CCUS. That is, the 325 million allowance in quantities that can be allocated free of charge and 75 million allowances in quantities that can be auctioned under Article 10 can be used to support innovation in low-carbon technologies and processes. contributing to environmentally safe carbon capture and utilization (“CCUS”). Based on the lessons learned from the EU's Emissions Trading Act, we investigated what regulations should be stipulated in the Emissions Trading Act when Korea enacts the single CCUS Act. In addition, the CCUS Act suggested what contents should be stipulated to reflect the emission trading system. This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy(MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (20214710100040,CCUS 법률안 정비 및 수용성을 포함한 제도적 기반 구축). Many problems are appearing due to climate disasters or global warming. Therefore, many countries are moving towards ‘net zero’ policy by setting greenhouse gas reduction targets. Korea is also responding to the climate crisis by enacting the Carbon Neutral and Green Growth Framework Act (so called the Carbon Neutral Framework Act). Korea, like other countries, recognizes that CCUS technology is indispensable to achieve ‘zero carbon’ by 2050. Therefore, in Article 34 of the Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, there was a provision on the promotion of carbon capture, use and storage technology to prepare policies to support the development of “carbon capture, use, and storage technology.” Special regulations for the demonstration of technology are to be separately stipulated by law. In order to apply CCUS technology, the CCUS single bill is being revised. Meanwhile, in Korea, the “Act on Allocation and Trade of Greenhouse Gas Emission Permits” is in effect. However, in the EU Emissions Trading Act, which implemented the emission trading system earlier than Korea, and the EU CCS Directive was enacted in 2009 and the EU Emissions Trading Directive was also revised. According to the amendments, the EU ETS provides the important incentive for CCS, and according to the EU legal framework, CO2 capt

Innovation Strategy for Green Development and Carbon Neutralization in Guizhou—An Overview

A carbon peak in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060 are major strategic development goals for China. Driven by the ambitious goal of achieving a carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the development of green innovation technology is an important method of achieving these aims. Speeding up energy transformation and tapping into the carbon sink capacity of the natural ecosystem are key to this process. The strategic path of green development deserves further discussion. This study takes Guizhou province as an example. Based on the actual situation of Guizhou province and the characteristics of karst areas, through the collection and collation of the existing literature, policies, and technologies and the analysis of typical cases, this paper summarizes and analyzes ecological restoration and negative carbon emissions in karst areas; water-energy-carbon coupling, energy saving, and emissions reduction technologies; industrial energy saving and emission-reduction technologies in karst areas; and CCUS technology for carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage. On this basis, the trend and orientation of green development in Guizhou are studied and judged, and countermeasures such as adhering to clean and efficient low-carbon utilization, strengthening the research on and development of carbon emission-reduction technology, and implementing carbon sink capacity buildings are put forward. Key core technology research and development innovation are recommended to establish a low-carbon science and technology innovation system. The efficient use of energy, the recycling of resources, negative emissions, and other strategies should be promoted. We also posit specific suggestions such as accelerating the transformation and application of green and low-carbon scientific and technological achievements.

New attempt of the implementation of CCS technology in Poland

After 2013 when the PGE Bełchatów demo CCS project was canceled and the EU CCS directive implemented into Polish law (in a way generally obstructing the development of CCS projects in Poland), no significant effects in that field have occurred till 2021. In 2021 the draft of a new law on change of Polish geological and mining law and some other laws (Polish CCS law) was prepared and is being proceeded – it is expected to be accepted soon by the Council of Ministers and then submitted to the Parliament. Generally, the law is to facilitate the development of CCUS technologies in Poland (commercial projects, both onshore and offshore storage in saline aquifers and depleted/depleting hydrocarbon fields – including EHR, no exploration permits/concessions, just storage permits as required by the directive, transport modes). Concurrently, in August/September 2021 Polish Minister of Climate and Environment appointed an advisory board – the Team on Development of CCUS technologies, where representatives of government, industry and research organizations were invited to facilitate CCUS technologies implementation in Poland. One of the Team's tasks resulted in the development of several prefeasibility studies on the full CCS value chain of newly constructed power and CHP blocks (mainly gas fired) carried out by a consortium led by AGH. Similar studies are being developed or considered in the case of other industry sectors, especially cement and chemical plants. In the storage part of these studies, the national project “Assessment of formations and structures for CO2 geological storage including monitoring plans” (completed in 2012/2013 by a consortium led by PGI-NRI) and its update completed upon request of the Ministry in 2021 have been utilized. In the case of the complete CCS value chain, results of pre-feasibility studies carried out in 2009-2013, together with assumptions and results of the new AGH-important project CCUS.pl initiated in May 2021, have been utilized. Several other international projects (financed by Norway Funds) oriented on CCS/CCS have been started (e.g., Agastor, SltPreCO2 project) in Poland. These developments might contribute to creating Polish CCS cluster (or clusters) where various emission sources and transport and storage infrastructure will be integrated, possibly within a decade.

Analyzing technology landscape of carbon capture storage and utilization in Baltic Sea region through patents

Capturing CO2 and preventing it from being released into the atmosphere was first suggested in 1977; using existing technology in new ways. CO2 capture technology has been used since the 1920s for separating CO2 sometimes found in natural gas reservoirs from the saleable methane gas. More recently, investment in CCS is being driven by the oil and gas industries as well as cement, iron and steel, and chemical production industries in the push for decarbonization. Once it is separated from other gases, the carbon dioxide is then compressed, transported, and injected underground for permanent storage. About 90-100 % of produced carbon dioxide can be captured in this manner. Many are betting on CCS as a key to greenhouse gas emission reductions, since leveraging CCS is expected to achieve 14-19 % of the reductions needed by 2050 (1,2,3). In 2020, we sent 40 billion metric tons (t) of carbon dioxide into Earth’s atmosphere. We need to cut that number to 0 by 2050 if we are to avoid the worst consequences of climate change, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The objectives of this paper is to present the patent landscape of Baltic sea region countries (BSR), which includes Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Poland and Norway. To perform the analysis searches have been conducted to identify patents related to Carbon capture and sequestration for the BSR. Patent analytics searches have been restricted to dates from 2000-2020. Technologies investigated mainly focuses on CO2 storage, monitoring, utilization and transport.The patent analytics searches have been conducted to identify patents related to CCUS technology. The search resulted in 3299 patent families. A relevancy analysis was done to identify patents which are related to CCUS & resulted in 497 patent families. Identified relevant patents have been categorized in a classification scheme. Results of this patent analytics work shows that in 2009 we have the greatest number of IP activity for CCUS. Exponential growth in patent filing since 2005-2009, showing an increasing trend for CCUS activities, 2010-2015 has an exponential decreasing trend for CCUS activities. In northern and eastern Europe, Russia & Poland are leading the research & patent filing in the CCUS domain. From industry point of view General Electrics (GE)has the highest number of publications followed by Mitsubishi and Siemens. 85 % of 497 relevant Patent families are Alive. GE has around 78 % of its families alive. The top patents are related to capture, storage, sequestration or disposal of greenhouse gases and followed by patents related to separation processes. CO2 capture is the most explored technology/CCUS type along with storage. Unfortunately, there is a decreasing trend in patent filings since 2016. The CCUS technologies are striving to gain traction in the set of options for dealing with climate change, but growth is very slow due to absence or low intervention of government action on climate change, public scepticism, increasing costs, and advances in other options including renewables and shale gas.

Ecologo-economic assessment of burial technologies for greenhouse gas emissions in underground geological spaces

In view of the available essential storage resources and capacities to reduce carbon footprint, Russia considers prospects for application of projects and technologies connected with burial of greenhouse gas emissions in underground geological spaces as low-carbon economy develops. The scope of the analysis embraces approaches and technologies on reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, including enhancement of energy efficiency of economy, use of renewable energy sources, utilization of solid domestic waste in power generation and arrangement of carbon fields for carbon dioxide sorption by forests and landscapes. The prerequisites and constraints of using the CCUS technologies are identified. Regarding burial of greenhouse gas emissions, the constraints include high expenses and the absence of the effective maintenance and control. For the assessment of the attractiveness and efficiency of carbon emission management projects, the article discusses benefits of increased oil recovery due to reservoir performance stimulation by carbon dioxide injection, greenhouse emission quotas and imposition of carbon tax. The ecological and economic efficiency of carbon emission management and burial project is illustrated in the context of climate change and energy transition. It is suggested to measure carbon footprint per economy sectors connected with greenhouse gas emissions (power generation, metallurgy, mining, etc.) with a view to promoting carbon neutrality of production on the basis of specific cost of reduction and management of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as from calculation of possible loss and damage because of greenhouse gas emissions and climate changes.  The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 21-18-00500 Institutional Engineering of Monotowns in the Arctic—Modernization and Sustainable Development.

Current CO2 Capture and Storage Trends in Europe in a View of Social Knowledge and Acceptance. A Short Review

Carbon dioxide (CO2) has reached a higher level of emissions in the last decades, and as it is widely known, CO2 is responsible for numerous environmental problems, such as climate change. Thus, there is a great need for the application of CO2 capture and storage, as well as of CO2 utilization technologies (CCUS). This review article focuses on summarizing the current CCUS state-of-the-art methods used in Europe. Special emphasis has been given to mineralization methods/technologies, especially in basalts and sandstones, which are considered to be suitable for CO2 mineralization. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey was also carried out in order to investigate how informed about CO2 issues European citizens are, as well as whether their background is relative to their positive or negative opinion about the establishment of CCUS technologies in their countries. In addition, social acceptance by the community requires contact with citizens and stakeholders, as well as ensuring mutual trust through open communication and the opportunity to participate as early as possible in the development of actions and projects related to CO2 capture and storage, at all appropriate levels of government internationally, as citizens need to understand the benefits from such new technologies, from the local to the international level.

Logical Analysis on the Strategy for a Sustainable Transition of the World to Green Energy—2050. Smart Cities and Villages Coupled to Renewable Energy Sources with Low Carbon Footprint

This paper brings, as an element of novelty and originality, a strategic feasibility study, in the form of a logical analysis related to the proposed objective, with particularization to the area of the EFTA plus the UK and Ireland. We tried to achieve an overall picture of a sustainable and prudent transition at the macroeconomic level, but also at the microeconomic and local levels, with specific values of ecological and energy-smart villages/towns. The convergent actions of the signatory states of the climate treaty COP-26/2021—Glasgow, UK are to improve the logistics and financing of the large-scale replacement of fossil fuels used in the economy and lives of human society. Various strategies have been discussed to address the energy mixes that could be used in the transition phase in stages and combined-cycle natural-gas plants, conditioned by the implementation of CCUS technology. The preliminary stage will focus on the provision and implementation of modern technologies for the production of electricity in photovoltaic and wind power. Starting with the 2030s, the industrialized production of blue and green hydrogen is expected; the first is expected to be obtained from the chemical synthesis of natural gas with the separation and storage of residual carbon from chemical reactions, and the second directly from ocean water through the phenomenon of H2O electrolysis. As a basic legislative element, the strategy aims to refine the idea of a carbon tax at the border or at the user, in order to discourage the use of fossil fuels.

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Technology Development in a Region with High CO2 Emissions and Low Storage Potential—A Case Study of Upper Silesia in Poland

The region of Upper Silesia, located in southern Poland, is characterised by very high emissions of carbon dioxide into the air—the annual emission exceeds 33 Mt CO2 and the emission ‘per capita’ is 7.2 t/y in comparison to the EU average emission per capita 6.4 t/y and 8.4 t/y for Poland in 2019. Although in the region there are over 100 carbon dioxide emitters covered by the EU ETS, over 90% of emissions come from approximately 15 large hard coal power plants and from the coke and metallurgical complex. The CCUS scenario for Upper Silesia, which encompasses emitters, capture plants, transport routes, as well as utilisation and storage sites until 2050, was developed. The baseline scenario assumes capture of carbon dioxide in seven installations, use in two methanol plants and transport and injection into two deep saline aquifers (DSA). The share of captured CO2 from flue gas was assumed at the level of 0.25–0.9, depending mainly on the limited capacity of storage. To recognise the views of society on development of the CCUS technologies in Upper Silesia, thirteen interviews with different types of stakeholders (industry, research and education, policy makers) were conducted. The respondents evaluated CCU much better than CCS. The techno-economic assessment of CCUS carried out on a scenario basis showed that the economic outcome of the scenario with CCUS is EUR 3807.19 million more favourable compared to the scenario without CO2 capture and storage.

CCS and CCUS Technologies: Giving the Oil and Gas Industry a Green Future

CCS and CCUS Technologies: Giving the Oil and Gas Industry a Green Future

Heteropolyacid modified Cerium-based MOFs catalyst for amine solution regeneration in CO2 capture

The CO2 desorption process consuming excessive energy in traditional CCUS technology becomes a great challenge to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. The multi-acid site on solid acid catalyst promote regeneration reaction proceeds. In order to solve the property defects of a single type of catalyst, we introduced heteropolyacids into cerium-based MOFs materials to increase acid sites. The composite catalyst named CeO2-MOF-HPW (CeM-HPW) shows good catalytic performance. The CO2 desorption capacity and rate were increased by 38.1% and 166%, respectively, and the desorption energy consumption was reduced by 29.4% in comparison with the uncatalytic process. CeO2 and HPW synergistically promote the decomposition of carbamate. Heteropolyacid anions help the deprotonation process for proton transfer. The catalytic approach reduces the energy barrier of the desorption reaction so as to obtain a desorption effect with high efficiency and low energy consumption. This catalyst provides a new idea for low energy consumption CCUS technology.

CCUS scenarios for the cement industry: Is CO2 utilization feasible?

In this work, four illustrative CO2 capture, utilization and storage chains are investigated in order to evaluate the economic feasibility of CCUS technologies in connection to the cement industry. A CCS reference chain in which 90% of the CO2 emissions (or 0,694 MtCO2/y) are stored in a saline aquifer is first studied. Due to emissions related to energy usage in the capture, conditioning and transport processes, a total of 0,504 MtCO2/y are avoided, or 65% of the CO2 emitted by the cement plant at a cost of 114 €/t CO2 avoided. Then, production of ethanol, polyols or food-grade CO2 is integrated to the chain, composing three alternative CCUS chains. These products are chosen based on an assessment of market, energy demand, and technology readiness level of technologies. For CCUS, we show that the economic feasibility is case dependent. The cost of producing blue ethanol is estimated as 656 €/t, slightly above the market value of 633 €/t. The cost per tonne of CO2 avoided drops from 114€ (CCS) to 111€ (sugarcane-based displacement) and the amount of CO2 avoided increases by 3%, to 0,518 MtCO2/y. In the second CCUS scenario, we have evaluated the integrated production of polyols. The entire CCUS chain avoids 0,708 MtCO2/y, and produces 288 kt/y of polyols, generating a profit of 18 €/t CO2 avoided. In the third CCUS scenario, we show that the production of food-grade CO2 is feasible as long as it is used to replace fossil-derived CO2, with a total CO2 avoidance of 0,504 MtCO2/y at a cost of 108 €/t. A general conclusion from this work is that the average cement plant emits much more CO2 than can be utilized in a single CO2 utilization plant. That is either due to market constrains or limited availability of raw materials. For the routes evaluated in this work, the fraction of the emitted CO2 directed to the utilization plant was always below 10%. Therefore, when connected to the cement industry, utilization is not likely to be applied as a stand-alone solution, but as an integrated link in the CCUS chain.

Characteristics of Deep eutectic solvents for CO2 capture with Hydro effects for improvement of mass transfer

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) prepared by mixing hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) and acceptors (HBAs) are attracting attention to use absorbents for carbon capture, storage, and utilization (CCUS) technology, but their applications in large-scale industries are limited by the scarce research in the field. When DES was used as CO2 absorbent, the use of appropriate HBAs and HBDs is critical for application. In this study, choline chloride (ChCl, as the HBA) was mixed with five different HBDs and diluted to 20 wt% water (W) for improvement of mass transfer, and their CO2 absorption capacities and physicochemical properties were analyzed. Urea (U), ethylene glycol, glycerol, and malic and levulinic acids were used as HBDs due to their various functional groups. ChCl:U:W can be a potential alternative to conventional alkanolamine absorbents for use in CCUS among the studied DESs, as its absorption capacity was superior to those of the other DESs. Increase of surface tension and decrease of density and viscosity were observed by addition of water on all of DESs. Additionally, absorption rate increased via water addition. This study can contribute to the future development of a more efficient CCUS technology using solvent alternatives that are more suitable for future environmental challenges.

Climate impacts of fossil fuels in todays electricity systems

Oil, coal, and gas account for approximately 80% of global primary energy, but only a portion of total airborne CO2eq (approx. 35% at GWP20 to 65% at GWP100), even though they account for 95% of total measured CO2 emissions. The benefits of these energy sources, as well as their related costs, are not all incorporated in current energy policy discussions. Global greenhouse gas policies must include documented changes in measured airborne CO2eq to avoid spending large amounts of public funds on ineffective or sub-optimal policies. The authors examined airborne CO2, which is less than half of emitted CO2, as well as reported CH4 emissions and the global warming potential of CH4 as published by the IPCC for coal and natural gas. The surprising conclusion is that surfaced-mined coal appears 'better for the climate' than the average natural gas, and all coal appears beneficial over LNG. Therefore, current CO2-only reduction policies and CO2 taxes are leading to unintended consequences and the switch from coal to natural gas, especially LNG, will not have the desired impact of reducing predicted future global warming; in fact, quite the contrary. A large portion of anthropogenic global warming is attributed by the IPCC and IEA to CH4, but it must be noted that CH4 emissions from natural sources and from agriculture account for approximately 40% and 25% of annual global CH4 emissions respectively. Energy accounts for about 20% of documented CH4 emissions. CO2 contributes only approximately 35% of annual airborne anthropogenic GHG emissions after accounting for CH4, over a 20-year horizon. At a 100-year horizon, the contribution of CO2 increases to approximately 60%. Energy policies that do not consider all GHG emissions along the entire value chain will lead to undesired economic and environmental distortions. All carbon taxation and CO2 pricing schemes are incorrect and need to be revised. At IPCC's GWP20 an approximately 2%1 higher loss of CH4 across the value chain prior to combustion of natural gas versus coal will lead to 'climate parity' of coal with natural gas. According to public data, natural gas value chains have high CH4 and undocumented CO2 losses. On a global average, using only IEA-documented CH4 data, natural gas emits approximately 15% more CO2eq than surface-mined coal, over a 20-year horizon. This difference will increase as the use of shale gas and LNG expands. Investors should support all energy systems in a manner that avoids an energy crisis, including intermittent renewable energy systems where they make sense. If CO2 emissions need to be reduced, one of the most effective ways would be to install ultra-supercritical power plants with CCUS technology. However, the undisputed benefits of increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere because of its promotion of photosynthesis and plant growth effects (fertilization) need to be considered in energy policy decisions as well. The authors suggest that future research and development should concentrate on reducing net emissions from fossil fuel power plants and providing cost-effective and reliable new conventional power generation capacity, utilizing clean coal and clean natural gas technology.

Analysis of How Energy Companies Pledge and Attempt to Reduce Their Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Line with National Targets on Climate Change: A Case Study of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT)

While climate change is increasingly more present in political agendas, companies are called to restructure their businesses to meet national targets by reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Thus, carbon management practices are nowadays critical for most firms, especially those working in the energy sector. PTT represents a peculiar case in this field because it is a state-owned company that in the last few years accounted for 157.83 MtCO2e per year, though it has not yet taken significant action to reduce its emissions. As Thailand pledged to abate 20% of its GHG emissions within 2030, PTT set out its Climate Change Management plan, yet this still does not contain specific measures or projects that the company intends to undertake to meet the target. This paper thus provides estimations regarding the alternatives available to PTT by applying current academic literature and knowledge on PTT’s reduction plan, and by integrating it and verifying it with data retrieved from PTT’s competitors’ reduction plans. It was found that PTT could cover 6–10 MtCO2e per year at the cost of USD 5–10 per tCO2e by continuing to fund REDD+ projects. Moreover, investing in renewable energy leads to a reduction of 21.7 MtCO2e per year at the cost of USD 2.85 billion. Lastly, it was shown that PTT could obtain a reduction of 3 MtCO2e per year by implementing CCUS technologies, potentially at a lower cost compared with the current USD 20–25 per tCO2e abated. This paper also discusses the long-term market implications of each of these alternatives.

Research on the Development of CCUS Full Process Technology

At present, China’s CCUS has made a leap forward development in policy, technology, demonstration projects and commercial operation. However, from the perspective of the entire energy system, CCUS can play its role in reducing CO2 only when it is combined with the process of resource exploitation, energy production, energy storage and transportation and energy utilization, which requires the research of the whole process technology of CCUS. This paper studies the source sink matching and technology integration matching in the whole process of CCUS technology, studies the application of existing coal-fired power plants + CCUS, steel plants + CCUS, cement plants + CCUS technology and the future application of BECCS technology and hydrogen energy + CCUS technology, and puts forward relevant suggestions on improving the laws, regulations and policy system for the development of CCUS, establishing a cross sectoral and cross industry cooperation platform and improving the carbon trading system.

What influences public attitudes and acceptance of CCUS technologies on the national and regional level? Results from a survey study in France and Spain

What influences public attitudes and acceptance of CCUS technologies on the national and regional level? Results from a survey study in France and Spain