What is carbon capture and how can it help combat climate change?

Carbon capture is a process of trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) from various sources such as power plants, factories, and industrial processes, before it is released into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can then be stored in deep geological formations, used in enhanced oil recovery, or converted into useful products.

The need for carbon capture arises from the fact that CO2 is one of the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming and climate change. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology can help reduce CO2 emissions, making it an important strategy in the fight against climate change.

There are three main types of carbon capture technologies:

• Pre-combustion capture: CO2 is captured before burning fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
• Post-combustion capture: CO2 is captured after burning fossil fuels.
• Oxy-fuel combustion: Fuel is burnt in oxygen instead of air, producing a concentrated stream of CO2 that can be captured more easily.

Carbon capture can also help in the production of green hydrogen, which can be used as a fuel and does not produce greenhouse gas emissions. It can also enable the use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which involves capturing CO2 emissions from biomass plants and storing them underground.

Although carbon capture technology is still in its early stages, it has the potential to play a significant role in mitigating climate change. Governments and businesses around the world are investing in research and development to advance this technology and make it more cost-effective.

Carbon capture is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants and other industrial sources before they are released into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can then be stored underground or used in other applications.

CCS can help combat climate change by reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat, contributing to global warming. By reducing CO2 emissions, CCS can help to slow the rate of climate change.

CCS is not a perfect solution, however. It is a relatively expensive technology, and there are concerns about the potential environmental impacts of storing CO2 underground. Nevertheless, CCS is a promising technology that has the potential to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

Here are some of the ways how carbon capture can help combat climate change:

• Reduce CO2 emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. CCS can capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. This can significantly reduce the amount of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere.
• Store CO2 underground. The captured CO2 can be stored underground in geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas fields. This helps to keep the CO2 out of the atmosphere and prevents it from contributing to climate change.
• Use captured CO2 in other applications. The captured CO2 can be used in other applications, such as enhanced oil recovery or the production of synthetic fuels. This helps to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and further reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Overall, CCS is a promising technology that has the potential to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. However, it is important to note that CCS is not a perfect solution. It is a relatively expensive technology, and there are concerns about the potential environmental impacts of storing CO2 underground. Nevertheless, CCS is a valuable tool that can be used to help combat climate change.