Journal of CO 2 Utilization 

About: Journal of CO 2 Utilization is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Catalysis & Adsorption. Over the lifetime, 1693 publications have been published receiving 33043 citations.

Carbon capture, storage and utilisation technologies: A critical analysis and comparison of their life cycle environmental impacts

Abstract: This paper presents a first comprehensive comparison of environmental impacts of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) technologies. Life cycle assessment studies found in the literature have been reviewed for these purposes. In total, 27 studies have been found of which 11 focus on CCS and 16 on CCU. The CCS studies suggest that the global warming potential (GWP) from power plants can be reduced by 63–82%, with the greatest reductions achieved by oxy-fuel combustion in pulverised coal and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants and the lowest by post-combustion capture in combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants. However, other environmental impacts such as acidification and human toxicity are higher with than without CCS. For CCU, the GWP varies widely depending on the utilisation option. Mineral carbonation can reduce the GWP by 4–48% compared to no CCU. Utilising CO2 for production of chemicals, specifically, dimethylcarbonate (DMC) reduces the GWP by 4.3 times and ozone layer depletion by 13 times compared to the conventional DMC process. Enhanced oil recovery has the GWP 2.3 times lower compared to discharging CO2 to the atmosphere but acidification is three times higher. Capturing CO2 by microalgae to produce biodiesel has 2.5 times higher GWP than fossil diesel with other environmental impacts also significantly higher. On average, the GWP of CCS is significantly lower than of the CCU options. However, its other environmental impacts are higher compared to CCU except for DMC production which is the worst CCU option overall.

Hydrogenation of CO2 to value-added products—A review and potential future developments

Abstract: Fossil fuel depletion, global warming, climate change, and steep hikes in the price of fuels are driving scientists to investigate on commercial and environmentally friendly fuels. The process of CO2 conversion to value-added products has been considered as a possible remedy to fulfill the requirements. The present review paper comprehensively discusses two different processes, namely hydrocarbon and methanol synthesis which are extensively used to convert CO2 to value-added products. Reaction mechanisms as well as the effects of catalyst, reactor type and operating conditions on product efficiency enhancement of each process are reviewed. Furthermore a brief overview on the reactor types as the most effective component of the theoretical and experimental reported results on the process improvement is given. All the information is tabulated in order to make the gathered information easily conclusive. Finally, by taking the available information into account the best reactor configuration which is adjustable to reaction mechanism is proposed.

Opportunities and challenges in carbon dioxide capture

Abstract: Various technologies for the capture of CO 2 from fossil fuel fired power plants are available. Each technology has its own advantages and disadvantages and are at different stages of development. This review provides a critical analysis of the major technologies for CO 2 capture from fossil fuel fired power plants so that the appropriate technology can be selected for a particular process. The different capture methods described in this review are: post-combustion, pre-combustion, oxy-combustion, and chemical looping combustion.

The changing paradigm in CO2 utilization

Abstract: CO2 is today at the centre of the attention of scientists and technologists for its potential as source of carbon in the synthesis of chemicals and fuels. The actual utilization of CO2 although significant for the chemical industry (ca. 200 Mt/y) represents a minor fraction of the anthropogenic emission (32,000 Mt/y). So far, only thermal routes were exploited, based on the use of fossil carbon as source of energy. This has brought to the exploitation of low-energy reactions, making a few chemicals. The changing paradigm in the use of perennial energy sources such as solar-, wind- and geothermal-energy, makes possible the exploitation of reactions that are more energy intensive and bring to products such as fuels that have a large market. This paper makes an analysis of the potential of several applications, highlighting barriers to a large scale conversion and identifying technologies that can make possible and economically acceptable the conversion of CO2 into fuels. Cycling large volumes of CO2 represents a way to control both its immission into the atmosphere and the extraction of fossil fuels.

Review on carbonation curing of cement-based materials

Abstract: Carbonation for the curing of cement-based materials has been gaining increased attention in recent years, especially in light of emerging initiatives regarding carbon emissions. This article reviews the status quo of the carbonation curing process with insight into the approach’s scientific premise, industrial scalability, and commercial spin-offs. Calcium-silicate-based binders, such as Portland cement and its lower energy alternatives, experience very rapid hardening when adequately moistened and exposed to high concentrations of carbon dioxide. Concretes processed as such display improved physical performance and better overall resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, sulfate salts, and acids. In addition to binder activation, carbonation’s valorizing potential can also be exploited to recycle suitable industrial wastes into raw building materials. The perpetual fixation of carbon dioxide in building products conduces a more sustainable stance for the concrete industry as it fulfills mandates for lower carbon footprint. In this article, topics relevant to carbonation curing including reaction mechanisms, processing and impacts on material performance and sustainability are comprehensively reviewed. Further laboratory and industrial research are also proposed.