Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage with MSA Safety

How does carbon capture, utilisation and storage work?

1) Source

For CCUS, carbon is captured from a variety of emission sources, including:

• Atmosphere: capturing CO₂ directly from the air
• Power plants: natural gas, coal, and biomass facilities
• Industrial facilities: steel manufacturing, cement production, and chemical processing

2) Capture

Various carbon capture methods are used to separate CO₂ from other gases generated during industrial processes:

• Pre-combustion capture: converts fuel into syngas and removes CO₂ before combustion takes place.
• Oxy-fuel combustion capture: burns fuel in pure oxygen to create a concentrated CO₂ stream.
• Post-combustion capture: captures CO₂ after combustion, although additional purification may be required.
• Direct air capture (DAC): extracts CO₂ directly from the atmosphere using solvent- or sorbent-based technologies.

3) Compression

Captured CO₂ is compressed into a supercritical state to support efficient transportation and storage. The compression process typically includes:

• Multi-stage compression: CO₂ is compressed through several stages, with pressure increasing at each stage.
• Cooling: CO₂ is cooled to remove the heat generated during the compression process.

Converting CO₂ into a supercritical state improves transport efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while also introducing specific technical and safety considerations.

4) Transportation

Captured CO₂ can be transported to storage or utilisation sites using a range of methods, including:

• Pipelines: the primary transport method for moving large volumes of CO₂ over land.
• Ships: a practical option when pipelines are not viable, particularly for longer distances or smaller quantities.

Effective technical and safety management is essential, as supercritical CO₂ can contribute to corrosion in pipelines and equipment, especially when impurities such as water or H₂S are present.

5) Utilisation

Captured CO₂ can be put to practical use in a variety of applications, including:

• Enhanced oil recovery (EOR): CO₂ is injected into oil reservoirs to help increase production rates.
• Fuels and chemicals: CO₂ is used in the production of synthetic fuels, low-carbon chemicals, and polycarbonate plastics.
• Construction materials: CO₂ can be incorporated into concrete and other building materials to enhance performance and durability.
• Biological applications: CO₂ supports the growth of organisms such as algae for biofuel production and can also be used in wastewater treatment processes.
• Food and beverage: CO₂ is widely used in carbonated drinks and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to help extend product shelf life.

6) Storage

Captured CO₂ can be safely stored by injecting it into suitable underground formations, including:

• Deep geological formations: stable underground rock structures that provide secure long-term CO₂ storage.
• Deep saline aquifers: porous rock formations filled with saline water that can accommodate large volumes of CO₂.
• Mineral storage: CO₂ reacts naturally with calcium- or magnesium-rich minerals to form stable carbonate compounds.

These storage methods are designed to securely contain CO₂ over the long term, helping to reduce emissions and support decarbonisation efforts.

Learn how a layered approach to detection enhances safety across carbon capture, utilisation & storage operations.

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