Oxy-fuel combustion capture is another technique employed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions but with a slightly different twist. The process involves burning fossil fuels in oxygen instead of air. Because air is about 78% nitrogen, this switch eliminates the production of nitrogen oxides, a major pollutant.
The result? A high concentration of CO2 in the exhaust gases makes capturing the carbon dioxide easier and more efficient. The process produces a stream of almost pure CO2, which can be readily captured and stored.
How does Oxy-Fuel Combustion Capture work?
The process might sound complex, but let’s break it down:
Instead of burning fossil fuels in the air, they're burned in oxygen, creating a combustion product that primarily consists of CO2 and water vapour.
The water vapour is then condensed, leaving a stream of almost pure CO2.
This CO2 can then be compressed and transported for storage or use in other applications.
Who’s Lighting the Way in Oxy-Fuel Combustion Capture?
Numerous innovative minds are diving headfirst into the oxyfuel combustion capture arena. Let's shed some light on a few of them:
Air Liquide: Known globally for its gas supply, Air Liquide has ventured into the realm of oxy-fuel combustion. Their Cryocap™ Oxy technology captures CO2 from oxy-combustion flue gases. The approach is energy efficient and is especially useful in industries with high-purity CO2 needs, such as the food and beverage sector.
Linde Group: Linde’s Oxyfuel technology is designed for large-scale energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, and power generation. Linde’s technology not only captures CO2 but also reduces nitrogen oxide emissions.
Mitsubishi Power: Mitsubishi Power has developed an oxy-fuel boiler that uses high-concentration oxygen for combustion. The result? High-purity CO2 that can be captured and sequestered.
Wrapping It Up
By focusing on the core of the issue, oxy-fuel combustion capture technology is helping to transform how we think about and address CO2 emissions. It's another fantastic step forward in our journey towards a greener, cleaner planet.