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Carbon capture and storage: Fundamental thermodynamics and current technology

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  • Page, S.C.
  • Williamson, A.G.
  • Mason, I.G.

Abstract

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is considered a leading technology for reducing CO2 emissions from fossil-fuelled electricity generation plants and could permit the continued use of coal and gas whilst meeting greenhouse gas targets. However considerable energy is required for the capture, compression, transport and storage steps involved. In this paper, energy penalty information in the literature is reviewed, and thermodynamically ideal and "real world" energy penalty values are calculated. For a sub-critical pulverized coal (PC) plant, the energy penalty values for 100% capture are 48.6% and 43.5% for liquefied CO2, and for CO2 compressed to 11Â MPa, respectively. When assumptions for supercritical plants were incorporated, results were in broad agreement with published values arising from process modelling. However, we show that energy use in existing capture operations is considerably greater than indicated by most projections. Full CCS demonstration plants are now required to verify modelled energy penalty values. However, it appears unlikely that CCS will deliver significant CO2 reductions in a timely fashion. In addition, many uncertainties remain over the permanence of CO2 storage, either in geological formations, or beneath the ocean. We conclude that further investment in CCS should be seriously questioned by policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Page, S.C. & Williamson, A.G. & Mason, I.G., 2009. "Carbon capture and storage: Fundamental thermodynamics and current technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 3314-3324, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:37:y:2009:i:9:p:3314-3324
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    1. Obama’s Clean Electricity Standard: “A Menu Without Prices”
      by James Handley in Carbon Tax Center on 2011-01-29 07:04:38

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    Cited by:

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    7. Yidi Wan & Chengzao Jia & Wen Zhao & Lin Jiang & Zhuxin Chen, 2023. "Micro-Scale Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Two-Phase CO 2 –Brine Flow in a Tighter REV Extracted from a Permeable Sandstone Core: Implications for CO 2 Storage Efficiency," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.
    8. Castelo Branco, David A. & Moura, Maria Cecilia P. & Szklo, Alexandre & Schaeffer, Roberto, 2013. "Emissions reduction potential from CO2 capture: A life-cycle assessment of a Brazilian coal-fired power plant," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1221-1235.
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    10. Zhang, Minkai & Guo, Yincheng, 2013. "Rate based modeling of absorption and regeneration for CO2 capture by aqueous ammonia solution," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 142-152.
    11. Harkin, Trent & Hoadley, Andrew & Hooper, Barry, 2012. "Using multi-objective optimisation in the design of CO2 capture systems for retrofit to coal power stations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 228-235.
    12. Barelli, L. & Ottaviano, A., 2014. "Solid oxide fuel cell technology coupled with methane dry reforming: A viable option for high efficiency plant with reduced CO2 emissions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 118-129.
    13. Graeme J. Collie & Mahmoud Nazeri & Amir Jahanbakhsh & Chih‐Wei Lin & M. Mercedes Maroto‐Valer, 2017. "Review of flowmeters for carbon dioxide transport in CCS applications," Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 7(1), pages 10-28, February.
    14. Sathre, Roger & Gustavsson, Leif & Truong, Nguyen Le, 2017. "Climate effects of electricity production fuelled by coal, forest slash and municipal solid waste with and without carbon capture," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 711-723.
    15. Mokhtar, Marwan & Ali, Muhammad Tauha & Khalilpour, Rajab & Abbas, Ali & Shah, Nilay & Hajaj, Ahmed Al & Armstrong, Peter & Chiesa, Matteo & Sgouridis, Sgouris, 2012. "Solar-assisted Post-combustion Carbon Capture feasibility study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 668-676.
    16. Sathre, Roger & Chester, Mikhail & Cain, Jennifer & Masanet, Eric, 2012. "A framework for environmental assessment of CO2 capture and storage systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 540-548.
    17. Verbruggen, Aviel & Lauber, Volkmar, 2009. "Basic concepts for designing renewable electricity support aiming at a full-scale transition by 2050," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(12), pages 5732-5743, December.
    18. Leung, Dennis Y.C. & Caramanna, Giorgio & Maroto-Valer, M. Mercedes, 2014. "An overview of current status of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 426-443.
    19. Lin, Chih-Wei & Nazeri, Mahmoud & Bhattacharji, Ayan & Spicer, George & Maroto-Valer, M. Mercedes, 2016. "Apparatus and method for calibrating a Coriolis mass flow meter for carbon dioxide at pressure and temperature conditions represented to CCS pipeline operations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 759-764.
    20. Mason, I.G. & Page, S.C. & Williamson, A.G., 2010. "A 100% renewable electricity generation system for New Zealand utilising hydro, wind, geothermal and biomass resources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 3973-3984, August.

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    CCS Energy penalty Coal;

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