🌍 How Carbon Capture Works, Its Role In Future Climate Solution

As climate change accelerates, scientists and policymakers are increasingly looking at Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as a critical technology in the fight to limit global warming. While reducing emissions remains essential, carbon capture offers a way to trap CO₂ from major sources—and even directly from the atmosphere—and store or reuse it to prevent it from reaching the atmosphere.

🧪 What Is Carbon Capture?

Carbon capture involves trapping carbon dioxide (CO₂) produced by industrial processes like power generation, cement production, and steel manufacturing before it enters the atmosphere. The captured CO₂ is then either:

Stored underground (usually in geological formations like depleted oil fields), or

Used in industrial applications like carbonated beverages, plastics, or synthetic fuels.

🏭 How Does It Work?

Capture
CO₂ is separated from gases produced in electricity generation or industrial processes. Techniques include:

Post-combustion capture

Pre-combustion capture

Oxy-fuel combustion

Transport
The CO₂ is compressed and transported—typically via pipeline—to a suitable storage or utilization site.

Storage or Utilization

Injected into deep rock formations (permanent storage)

Used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR)

Converted into materials like concrete or fuel

🌱 Why Is It Important?

Even with rapid renewable energy adoption, some emissions are unavoidable, especially from industrial sectors. CCUS helps:

Offset emissions from hard-to-abate sectors (steel, cement)

Enable "negative emissions" when paired with bioenergy (BECCS)

Meet global targets like those in the Paris Agreement

🚧 Challenges & Criticism

High cost and energy use

Requires long-term monitoring and regulation

Risk of leakage from storage sites

Critics argue it may delay action on reducing fossil fuel use

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main goal of carbon capture?
To reduce the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere from industrial and power generation sources.

Q2: Is carbon capture a new technology?
No, it's been used since the 1970s in oil recovery but is now being scaled for broader climate mitigation.

Q3: Does carbon capture eliminate the need for renewable energy?
No. It's a complementary solution for sectors where emissions are hard to eliminate.

Q4: Where is carbon captured CO₂ stored?
Typically in deep underground rock formations, such as depleted oil and gas fields or saline aquifers.

Q5: Is carbon capture safe?
With proper monitoring and regulation, carbon storage is considered safe and stable over long periods.

published on 27th  june

Publisher : SMITA

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