Carbon capture

Global warming and climate change concerns are intensifying global efforts to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) in our atmosphere.

Increasingly, attention is focusing on the need to remove CO₂ from the flue gases released by several processes in countless industries including power, chemicals and steel. Carbon capture is a key strategy in meeting today’s CO₂ emission reduction targets.

There are three different carbon capture strategies to choose from, depending on the source of the gas:

• Pre-combustion, combining upstream gasification of fuel with precombustion separation of the CO₂
• Oxyfuel combustion, combusting the fuel with pure oxygen to create mainly steam and CO₂, which can be easily separated from the flue gas
• Post-combustion, where the CO₂ is scrubbed from the flue gas following combustion

Many chemical applications rely on CO₂ scrubbing. Oxyfuel technology is an ideal way to increase the efficiency of combustion processes in new power plants. And post-combustion capture (PCC) is targeted specifically at flue gas in existing power plants, typically using a solvent to chemically absorb the CO₂ from the flue gases after the combustion process.

The captured gas can be used commercially – for example as food-grade CO₂, to enhance oil recovery (EOR) or as a feedstock for the production of commodities like methanol or urea. Alternatively, it can be stored underground (sequestered) as a carbon abatement measure.

The captured CO₂ can be further purified and liquefied for use in chemical or other industry processes. Alternatively, it can be purified to food-grade level and used in the production of food and beverages.

Complementing our carbon capture offering, we also specialise in CO₂ purification, liquefaction, storage and distribution technologies. We offer a range of prefabricated, standardised solutions to accelerate deployment and maximise cost efficiencies. Supporting the full capacity spectrum, we also design and deliver customised plants.

For more detailed information, visit our CO₂ removal, post combustion capture and oxyfuel pages.