The Capture and Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

The Technology for Capturing Carbon Dioxide

CO2 Capture Methods

Fossil fuel is still the most important and energy source with almost no other alternate. On the other hand, it is also the major source for green house gases that are assumed to cause global warming. The over all efficiency of a power plant is significantly reduced if CO₂ is captured from flue gas. So far the only reliable methods for reducingCO₂ emissions are:

1. A decrease of fuel consumption
2. Increase in process efficiency
3. Switch to lower carbon content fuels e.g. Natural gas instead of Coal.
4. Enhance the natural ‘sinks’ for CO₂, e.g. forests, soil and the ocean, which drawdown CO2 from the atmosphere.
5. Use energy sources with very low or neutral CO₂ emissions, such as renewable energy e.g. biomass, wind or nuclear energy.

Technologies available or being considered for CO₂ capture are:

• Solvent Absorption (Solvent Scrubbing)
• Physical absorption/adsorption
• Membrane Systems
• Cryogenic fractionation
• Other options