25. Carbon Capture and Storage

This chapter explores key concepts associated with carbon capture and storage (CCS). A focus is made on the particular significance of CCS for industrial emissions associated with the production of cement, iron, steel, hydrogen and ammonia. A range of different \({\textrm{CO}_\textrm{2}}\) capture technologies are described, including absorption, adsorption, membrane separation and oxy-fuel combustion. Various trapping mechanisms, associated with long term storage of \({\textrm{CO}_\textrm{2}}\) in geological formations are explained, including structural, residual, solubility and mineral trapping. Simple equations are presented for \({\textrm{CO}_\textrm{2}}\) storage capacity estimation in confined and unconfined brine aquifers. Henry’s law and the two film model are used to derive mathematical equations for designing countercurrent absorption towers associated with \({\textrm{CO}_\textrm{2}}\) separation by amine absorption. Practical applications are presented through a problem sheet with worked solutions.