CARBON DIOXIDE RECOVERY AND DISPOSAL FROM LARGE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Abstract

▪ Abstract Increases in greenhouse gas emissions and concerns about potential global climate change are stimulating worldwide interest in the feasibility of capture, disposal, and utilization of CO₂ from large energy systems. Technology to capture CO₂ from power plant flue gas, while energy intensive and expensive, is commercially available. Capture from advanced combustion systems offers a further opportunity to significantly reduce cost and energy requirements of CO₂ capture compared to that from today's pulverized coal power plants. No viable disposal options exist today for large quantities of captured CO₂. Ocean disposal of CO₂ and geological storage, especially in depleted oil and gas wells, are leading candidates. Although some niche utilization may occur, utilization seems unlikely to become a major sequestration option. Since CO₂ capture and sequestration is a relatively expensive mitigation option, it can be regarded as an insurance policy. However, since CO₂ mitigation options are few in number, continued research to reduce the costs of CO₂ capture and to develop feasible sequestration options is important.