How does Carbon Capture & Storage work?

Summary

The video script addresses the urgency of tackling climate change by focusing on the role of the Australian coal industry and its commitment to investing in carbon capture and storage (CCS). It outlines three key methods of CCS: pre-combustion capture, which involves converting coal and oxygen into a gas that releases CO2 for capture; post-combustion capture, where an absorber column captures CO2 from flue gas; and the oxy-fuel process, which separates nitrogen from oxygen to create a CO2-rich environment for capture. The captured CO2 is compressed into a liquid and stored deep underground in porous rock formations, a process known as geo-sequestration. The script emphasizes the stability of stored CO2 and the natural processes that can further stabilize it over time. It concludes by highlighting the importance of integrating CCS into new and existing power plants as a critical solution to climate change.

Takeaways

• 🌍 **Climate Change Impact**: Human activities such as land clearing, intensive farming, and burning fossil fuels contribute significantly to climate change by producing greenhouse gases.
• 📉 **Reduction of Greenhouse Gases**: There is a need to reduce greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), to slow down and reverse global warming.
• 💰 **Investment in Carbon Capture**: The Australian coal industry is investing a billion dollars in carbon capture and storage technologies to play a role in climate change solutions.
• 🔬 **Carbon Capture Methods**: There are hundreds of active carbon capture and storage projects worldwide, utilizing methods like pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxy-fuel combustion.
• ⚙️ **Pre-Combustion Capture Process**: In pre-combustion capture, coal reacts with oxygen to form a gas, which is then treated with water to produce CO2 and hydrogen, with CO2 being captured for storage.
• 🔥 **Post-Combustion Capture Process**: Post-combustion capture involves burning fossil fuels and using an absorber column filled with solvents to capture CO2 before it is released into the atmosphere.
• 🌬️ **Oxy-Fuel Combustion Process**: The oxy-fuel process removes nitrogen from oxygen, resulting in a more concentrated CO2 output that can be captured after the combustion of fossil fuels.
• 🧪 **CO2 Classification and Storage**: Captured CO2 is inert and stable, similar to many naturally occurring gases, and is compressed into a liquid for transportation to a storage site.
• 🚛 **Transportation of CO2**: Liquid CO2 is transported via trucks or pipelines to suitable storage sites, with the U.S. having extensive pipeline networks for CO2 transportation.
• 🏞️ **Geo-Sequestration**: CO2 is stored in deep underground porous rock formations, with an impermeable layer acting as a seal to prevent CO2 from escaping into the atmosphere.
• 🔒 **Monitoring and Safety**: A sophisticated monitoring system tracks stored CO2 at three levels: subsurface, soil, and atmosphere, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of storage.
• 🌟 **Integration Challenge**: The challenge lies in creating a fully integrated system for carbon capture and storage that can be incorporated into new and existing power plants.
• 🌐 **Global Progress**: Successful carbon capture and storage projects are underway globally and are considered a critical part of the solution to climate change.

Q & A

What are the main human activities contributing to climate change as mentioned in the transcript?

The main human activities contributing to climate change mentioned in the transcript include land clearing, intensive farming, burning of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal, all of which produce greenhouse gases.

What is the role of the Australian coal industry in addressing climate change?

The Australian coal industry acknowledges its role in climate change and is investing a billion dollars in carbon capture and storage technologies to play a part in climate change solutions.

How does pre-combustion capture work in carbon capture technology?

In pre-combustion capture, coal is combined with oxygen to create a gas consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Adding water to this gas triggers a reaction that converts carbon monoxide into hydrogen and CO2. The CO2 can then be safely captured, while the hydrogen is used for energy production.

What is the process of post-combustion capture?

Post-combustion capture involves burning fossil fuel as normal, but before the flue gas travels up the chimney, it passes through an absorber column filled with liquid solvents called amines, which absorb the CO2. Superheated steam then releases the CO2 from the amines, allowing it to be captured safely.

How does the oxy fuel process differ from other carbon capture methods?

The oxy fuel process begins by stripping nitrogen from oxygen in an air separator, leaving behind purified oxygen. This oxygen is then used for combustion with a fossil fuel, producing CO2 and water vapor. The CO2 can be captured after the water vapor is condensed and removed.

What are the properties of the captured CO2 that make it suitable for storage?

The captured CO2 is classified as inert, meaning it is very stable like many naturally occurring gases, making it suitable for safe and permanent storage.

How is the liquid CO2 transported to its storage site?

The liquid CO2 is transported to its storage site using trucks if the site is close by, or through pipelines for longer distances or larger volumes. In the US, there are pipelines stretching thousands of kilometers used for CO2 transport.

What is geo-sequestration and why is it important for carbon storage?

Geo-sequestration is the process of storing CO2 safely and permanently in deep underground rock formations. It is important because it isolates the CO2 from the Earth's atmosphere, preventing it from contributing to climate change.

How are storage sites for CO2 chosen for geo-sequestration?

Storage sites are carefully chosen based on the presence of vast stores of porous rock deep underground. This porous rock acts like a sponge, filled with microscopic holes that can hold the injected liquid CO2.

What is the role of the impermeable layer above the porous rock in geo-sequestration?

The impermeable layer above the porous rock acts as a cap, preventing the liquid CO2 from escaping. It is non-porous, meaning it has no tiny holes for the CO2 to pass through.

How does the long-term storage of CO2 in geo-sequestration sites work?

Over time, the stored CO2 can be dissolved in salty non-drinking water or react chemically with the surrounding rock to form stable carbonate minerals, effectively sequestering the carbon.

What monitoring systems are in place to ensure the safety of stored CO2?

A sophisticated monitoring system is in place that operates on three levels: the subsurface, the soil, and the atmosphere around the site. This ensures the continuous safety and effectiveness of the CO2 storage.

What is the current status of carbon capture and storage projects worldwide?

Successful carbon capture and storage projects are underway globally and are considered a critical part of the solution to climate change. Their progress can be followed on platforms dedicated to new generation coal technologies.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Addressing Climate Change with Carbon Capture

The paragraph discusses the significant role of human activities, such as land clearing, intensive farming, and burning of fossil fuels, in exacerbating climate change through the production of greenhouse gases. It acknowledges the responsibility of the Australian coal industry and outlines their investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The process involves capturing CO2 emissions, compressing them into a liquid form, and storing them deep underground. The video also touches on various carbon capture methods, including pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and the oxy-fuel process, emphasizing the inert nature of captured CO2 and the importance of its safe and permanent storage.

Keywords

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth. It is the main theme of the video, emphasizing the urgency of addressing human activities that contribute to global warming. The video discusses how land clearing, intensive farming, and burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas produce greenhouse gases, which exacerbate climate change.

💡Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, leading to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a key greenhouse gas mentioned in the video, which is released through the burning of fossil fuels and contributes significantly to climate change. The video emphasizes the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

💡Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Carbon Capture and Storage is a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from point sources like power plants and industrial processes, and stores it in geological formations to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. The video highlights a billion-dollar investment in CCS by the Australian coal industry as part of their commitment to play a role in climate change solutions.

💡Pre-Combustion Capture

Pre-combustion capture is a CCS method where coal is gasified with oxygen to form a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Water is added to this mixture, converting the carbon monoxide into CO2 and more hydrogen. The CO2 is then captured, while the hydrogen can be used for energy production. This method is depicted in the video as one of the key technologies for capturing CO2 before it is emitted.

💡Post-Combustion Capture

Post-combustion capture involves capturing CO2 after the fossil fuel has been burned. The flue gas, which would normally be released into the atmosphere, passes through an absorber column filled with liquid solvents that absorb the CO2. The video explains that superheated steam can then release the CO2 from the solvent, allowing it to be captured separately from the flue gas.

💡Oxy Fuel Process

The oxy fuel process is a CCS method where nitrogen is removed from oxygen, creating a pure oxygen stream. This oxygen is then used in the combustion of fossil fuels, producing a flue gas composed mainly of CO2 and water vapor. After passing through turbines to generate electricity, the water vapor is condensed and removed, leaving behind CO2 that can be captured. The video presents this as one of the three main carbon capture technologies.

💡Geo-Sequestration

Geo-sequestration is the process of injecting and storing CO2 in deep underground geological formations, such as porous rock formations. The video describes how the CO2 is trapped in these formations by an impermeable layer above the porous rock, which prevents the CO2 from escaping back into the atmosphere. This method mimics natural processes and is a key component of the CCS strategy.

💡Enhanced Oil Recovery

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a technique where CO2 is injected into depleted oil fields to increase the amount of oil that can be extracted. The video mentions that CO2 has been safely transported through pipelines in the US for EOR for years, indicating that the infrastructure for CO2 transportation already exists and can be repurposed for CCS.

💡Monitoring Systems

Monitoring systems are crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of CCS projects. The video outlines a three-level monitoring approach that includes subsurface, soil, and atmospheric monitoring around the storage site. These systems are essential for tracking the stored CO2 and ensuring it remains safely contained.

💡Integrated System

An integrated system in the context of the video refers to a comprehensive CCS approach that can be incorporated into both new and existing power plants. The challenge is to develop a system that is efficient, scalable, and compatible with various types of power generation facilities. The video emphasizes the importance of creating such a system to make a significant impact on climate change mitigation.

💡New Gen Coal

New Gen Coal likely refers to the next generation of coal technologies and practices that aim to reduce the environmental impact of coal usage, including through the implementation of CCS. The video suggests that following the progress on New Gen Coal initiatives can provide insights into how the coal industry is adapting to address climate change.

Highlights

Climate change is a significant problem exacerbated by land clearing, intensive farming, and burning of fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gases.

Human activities contribute to global warming, necessitating the reduction of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

The Australian coal industry acknowledges its role in climate change and is investing $1 billion in carbon capture and storage solutions.

Carbon capture and storage involves capturing CO2 emissions, compressing them into a liquid, and safely storing them deep underground.

Hundreds of active carbon capture and storage projects are currently operational worldwide.

Pre-combustion capture involves combining coal with oxygen to create a gas, which is then reacted with water to produce hydrogen and CO2.

In post-combustion capture, flue gas passes through an absorber column filled with liquid solvents to capture CO2 before it enters the atmosphere.

The oxy fuel process strips nitrogen from oxygen and uses the remaining oxygen to combust fossil fuels, producing CO2 and water vapor.

The captured CO2 is classified as inert, similar to many naturally occurring gases, and is very stable.

CO2 is compressed at high pressure, turning it into a liquid for transportation to a storage site.

Transportation of CO2 can be done via trucks or pipelines, with the latter being used for larger volumes or longer distances.

Geo-sequestration involves storing liquid CO2 in deep underground porous rock formations, trapped by an impermeable layer above.

Over time, stored CO2 can dissolve in salty water or chemically react with surrounding rock to form stable carbonate minerals.

Alternative storage options include saline water saturated rocks, depleted oil and gas fields, and coal seams.

A sophisticated monitoring system tracks stored CO2 at three levels: subsurface, soil, and atmosphere.

The challenge lies in creating a fully integrated carbon capture and storage system for new and existing power plants.

Successful carbon capture and storage projects are critical to any comprehensive solution addressing climate change.

Transcripts

climate change is a big problem land

clearing intensive farming burning

fossil fuels like oil natural gas and

coal these human activities all produce

greenhouse gases we need to slow down

and reverse global warming and its gases

like carbon dioxide or co2 that we need

to reduce the Australian coal industry

knows it plays a role in the problem and

we want to play a role in any climate

change solution that's why we're

investing a billion dollars in carbon

capture and storage

it means we capture the co2 emitted by

burning fossil fuels compress it into a

liquid which is transported to a storage

site then store it safely and

permanently deep underground there are

hundreds of active carbon capture and

storage projects worldwide this video

will show you some of the key methods

being used in pre-combustion capture

coal is combined with oxygen to create a

gas it's made up of carbon monoxide and

hydrogen adding water to this gas causes

a reaction it converts the carbon

monoxide into hydrogen and co2 the co2

can be safely captured while the

hydrogen is burned to drive a turbine

and generate electricity it can even be

used to feed fuel cells for cars in

post-combustion capture the fossil fuel

is burned as normal but before the flue

gas travels up the chimney that passes

through an absorber column this is

filled with liquid solvents called a

means which absorb the co2 before it can

enter the atmosphere superheated steam

is then passed through to chimney this

releases the co2 from the a means and it

can now be safely captured the last of

the key capture methods is the oxy fuel

process before combustion nitrogen is

stripped from oxygen in an air separator

the leftover oxygen is then cured than

the normal air we breathe when combusted

with a fossil fuel that produces co2 and

water vapor this combination is put

through turbines to generate electricity

afterwards the water vapor is cool

condensed and removed and the remaining

co2 gas is safely captured those are the

three main carbon capture technologies

pre-combustion post combustion and

fuel the captured co2 is what scientists

classify as inert meaning it's like many

naturally occurring gases very stable

after the co2 is captured it's

compressed at high pressure this turns

it into a liquid once in this state the

liquid is transferred to a suitable

storage site if it's close by trucks are

used if it's further away or large

volumes are being transported we use

pipelines in the US alone there are

pipelines stretching thousands of

kilometres and they've been safely

transporting co2 for enhanced oil

recovery for years the next step is

storing it safely and permanently in

deep underground Rock a process known as

geo sequestration storage sites are

carefully chosen we select ones with

vast stores of porous rock deep

underground this porous rock is like a

sponge filled with millions of

microscopic holes as we inject the

liquid co2 into porous rock it spreads

through the gaps and fills these holes

directly above this porous rock is an

impermeable layer

it's non-porous meaning it has no tiny

holes it acts as a cap to the liquid co2

can't break through trapping the co2

from escaping it mimics a natural

process hydrocarbons like oil and

natural gas have been doing this for

millions of years

over time the co2 can be dissolved in

salty non drinking water or react

chemically with surrounding rock

producing stable carbonate minerals

we're also trialing storing the carbon

in saline water saturated rocks depleted

oil and gas fields and coal seams so the

carbon is captured transported and

stored safely away from the Earth's

delicate atmosphere but the process

doesn't end there

a sophisticated monitoring system is in

place to keep track of our stored co2

monitoring is done on three levels the

subsurface the soil and the atmosphere

around the site

capture transport and storage techniques

have all been successfully used for many

years the challenge now is creating a

fully integrated system one which can be

built into new power plants and bolted

on to the existing ones think of the

difference this will make successful

carbon capture and storage projects are

underway all around the world they're a

critical part of any solution to climate

change

you can follow their progress on new gen

coal

you