Carbon Capture

Carbon capture is a set of techniques focused on reducing CO₂ emissions through its separation, transportation, and safe storage. It is considered a key technological solution to curb global warming, especially in carbon-intensive industries such as cement, steel, and fossil fuels.

Main capture methods:

• Post-combustion: CO₂ is captured after fossil fuel combustion. It can be applied to existing facilities and uses chemical absorption technologies.
• Pre-combustion: CO₂ is separated before combustion, producing hydrogen as a by-product. Common in chemical and gasification plants.
• Oxy-combustion: Combustion in pure oxygen, which facilitates CO₂ concentration and separation.

Process stages:

1. Capture: Separation of CO₂ from other generated gases.
2. Transport: CO₂ is compressed and transported, usually through pipelines.
3. Storage: Injected into deep geological formations, such as old reservoirs or saline aquifers.

Applications and benefits:

• Reduces emissions in hard-to-electrify industrial sectors.
• Allows for low-emission hydrogen production.
• Used in enhanced oil recovery (though controversial due to its link with fossil fuels).

Challenges:

• High costs and significant energy requirements.
• Storage safety, which requires long-term monitoring.
• Risk of overreliance without addressing emissions at source.

Complementary alternatives:

In addition to technological solutions, there are natural methods like reforestation and soil and wetland restoration, which capture carbon effectively and provide extra ecosystem benefits.

Overall, carbon capture should be seen as one more tool in a comprehensive climate strategy based on efficiency, decarbonization, and renewable energy.

Learn how we can help you here.