Carbon Capture

Carbon capture, transport and storage solutions are gaining traction as a means for industrial complexes to decarbonize and achieve emissions-reduction goals.

Amine-based carbon capture technologies are a proven means of removing CO₂ from natural gas and post-combustion flue gases. But while carbon capture with sequestration/use has been proven, it has not been widely applied because its success depends on proximity to a CO₂ injection site or pipeline and it has been historically difficult to cost-justify. Cost effectiveness depends on the composition of the gas stream to be treated, the quantity of CO₂ to be removed, the consistency of the CO₂ supply and the availability of low-cost process heat (steam).

The challenges of justifying investments for industrial owners and their investors are real, requiring not only deep expertise in carbon capture technologies and methods but also broad plant and process experience to illuminate and mitigate risks. Further adding to the challenge: Implementing carbon capture systems today usually requires government incentives or carbon pricing discounts to be economically viable. To that end, Lummus Consultants has been working for more than a decade to advance carbon capture solutions, helping government entities to bring new technologies to market, lenders to minimize risk, and industrial clients to define their best strategic options.

The California Energy Commission engaged Lummus Consultants to evaluate carbon capture and storage options for natural-gas combined-cycle power plants, a major source of greenhouse gases in California. The study addressed technology options, engineering and economic assessment of the installation, operation of carbon-capture storage in both retrofit and new-build applications, and environmental and permitting considerations.

Based on this study and our work on across similar projects, our experts conclude carbon capture technology can be an economically viable process for greenhouse gas reduction with governmental incentives, particularly when it can be integrated into a new facility. When considering retrofitting carbon capture systems to existing CO₂ emission sources, the economic viability becomes more challenging.