7. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)

This chapter offers a comprehensive exploration of the technologies and processes involved in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), a critical approach to mitigating carbon emissions. It begins with an overview of the historical development of CCUS, tracing its origins from natural gas processing to modern-day applications in various industries. The text delves into the three primary carbon capture technologies—post-combustion, pre-combustion, and oxyfuel combustion—each with its unique advantages and challenges. It also examines the role of CO2 absorption using amines, a widely used method due to its efficiency in capturing CO2 from exhaust gases. The chapter further discusses the transportation of CO2, highlighting the industrial maturity of this technology and the recent advancements in liquefied CO2 carriers. The economic feasibility of CCUS is a significant focus, with detailed analyses of the costs associated with capture, transport, and storage. The text also explores the potential of CO2 utilization technologies, which convert CO2 into various industrial products, and the challenges they face in terms of economic viability and environmental impact. Additionally, the chapter provides an in-depth look at the Northern Lights project, a pioneering initiative in cross-border CO2 storage, and its implications for future CO2 trading projects. The chapter concludes with a discussion on Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) systems, their potential to reduce ship emissions, and the regulatory and economic challenges that need to be addressed for their widespread adoption.