Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an approach to mitigating the contribution of fossil fuel emissions to global warming, based on capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from large point sources such as fossil fuel power plants. It can also be used to describe the scrubbing of CO2 from ambient air as a geoengineering technique. The carbon dioxide might then be permanently stored away from the atmosphere.
Although CO2 has been injected into geological formations for various purposes, the long term storage of CO2 is a relatively untried concept. The first integrated pilot-scale CCS power plant was to begin operating in September 2008 in the eastern German power plant Schwarze Pumpe run by utility Vattenfall, in the hope of answering questions about technological feasibility and economic efficiency.
It has been theorised that CCS applied to a modern conventional power plant could reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere by approximately 80-90% compared to a plant without CCS.
Capturing and compressing CO2 requires much energy and would increase the fuel needs of a coal-fired plant with CCS by 25%-40%. These and other system costs are estimated to increase the cost of energy from a new power plant with CCS by 21-91%. These estimates apply to purpose-built plants near a storage location: applying the technology to preexisting plants or plants far from a storage location will be more expensive. However, recent industry reports suggest that with successful research, development and deployment (RD&D), sequestered coal-based electricity generation in 2025 will cost less than unsequestered coal-based electricity generation today.
Storage of the CO2 is envisaged either in deep geological formations, in deep ocean masses, or in the form of mineral carbonates. In the case of deep ocean storage, there is a risk of greatly increasing the problem of ocean acidification, a problem that also stems from the excess of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere and oceans. Geological formations are currently considered the most promising sequestration sites.
CO2 transportation
After capture, the CO2 would have to be transported to suitable storage sites. This is normally done by pipeline, which is generally the cheapest form of transport. But in recent years, several projects are looking at sea transportation, delivering the CO2 to an offshore location.
Lauritzen Kosan has initiated several studies were the feasibility of CO2 transportation was analyzed, and the results were very positive. Should you be interested in exploring opportunities in this field, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can provide information on building and long time chartering of CO2 capable ships and discuss the different technical alternatives in existence.
The design of a CO2 capable ship can be modified and adapted to different needs and sizes. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any related project or you would like us to look at the best solution for your CO2 transportation.
Eduardo Perez Orue
Lauritzen Kosan A/S
Phone : +45 3693 4677
e-mail: email us for more information
Web: www.lauritzenkosan.com
