Carbon Capture and Sequestration, also known as CCS, is a solution to reduce the carbon footprint, notably for industries with high CO₂ emissions. Explore in detail the steps involved in this process, which consists of capturing, purifying and transporting CO₂ for sequestration.
CCS is a technical and logistical solution encompassing several stages:
1. Capture and compression
The CO₂ contained in flue gas or process gas is captured and purified during the production process of an industrial plant. It is then processed in preparation for transport.
2. Transport and distribution
CO₂ is transported via pipeline to a coastal terminal gathering CO₂ infrastructure.
CO₂ can also be recovered and used as a raw material by various sectors, including the food industry (soft drink carbonation, deep-freezing, greenhouse cultivation, etc.), electronics and the pharmaceutical industry.
3. Aggregation, liquefaction and storage
CO₂ emissions are aggregated at a CO₂ hub, a cluster of facilities that share the same CO₂ transportation and storage infrastructure.
CO₂ is liquefied for temporary storage. Then, the export terminal enables CO₂ transport via ships to other destinations.
4. Sea transport
Liquid CO₂ can be transported via sea shipping to underground storage sites.
5. Sequestration
CO₂ is permanently sequestered in depleted natural gas fields or natural geologic formations.
Air Liquide offers a comprehensive solution for carbon management, encompassing CO₂ capture, transportation, liquefaction, temporary storage and delivery to the sequestration well location. To develop a CCS value chain, the Group shares its expertise with other major economic players with expertise in maritime transport and geological storage.
