Carbon Capture

Carbon capture and sequestration technologies involve the removal, or capture, of carbon dioxide emissions from the exhaust stream from coal combustion or gasification processes and the subsequent disposal, or sequestration, of these emissions in such a way that they do not enter the atmosphere. As a result, carbon capture and sequestration has the potential to provide near-elimination of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion.

Carbon dioxide capture accounts for nearly 80% of the cost of the carbon capture and storage process. Carbon capture involves the removal and concentration of the gas in flue gas streams by physical and/or chemical processes. The processes involve altering the pressure and temperature of the flue gas stream to produce pure carbon dioxide, which is then compressed and transported for long-term storage.

Once carbon dioxide has been captured, it is pre-treated, undergoing desulphurization, dehydration, and compression, prior to transportation to suitable sequestration, or storage, sites. Typically the most economical form of transport for carbon dioxide is a high-pressure pipeline. Underground or underwater pipelines have been in use for decades to transport large volumes of gases, oil, water, and other materials