WP12

Generation of negative CO2 emissions

Abstract:

Recent scenario analysis indicates that the Swiss climate target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions can only be achieved by actively removing CO2 from the biosphere. This requires in any case CO2 separation and underground storage from large emitters such as cement and waste incineration plants. Other options for so-called negative emissions are the thermochemical conversion of biomass to CO2 and hydrogen (e.g. through gasification), the biological conversion of biomass to CO2 and bio-methane (e.g. through fermentation) and the technical extraction of CO2 from the atmosphere through direct air capture processes. Most of these options are known, yet they have not been deployed at the necessary scale. Furthermore, there is the principle problem that the CO2 transport and storage infrastructure does not exist yet. All these options will be assessed with stakeholders with the objective to downselect options for a pilot and demonstration project.

Objectives:

Recent scenario analysis (the JASM project, www.sccer-jasm.ch) indicates that the Swiss net-zero emission targets require capturing and storing CO2 from various existing (cement plants, waste incinerators) and potentially new emitters (gas turbine combined cycles (GTCC), gasification/fermentation/reforming plants). Besides tackling the non-avoidable emissions (calcination in cement plants, burning of fossil waste), a special focus must be on generating negative emissions, i.e. to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and to store it permanently.
Removing CO2 from the atmosphere can be done through proper processing of biomass or through direct air capture. Two main options are available using biomass:

  • post-combustion capture where CO2 is removed from the flue gas of a combustion plant (cement, waste incineration, biomass power & heat plants, or industrial furnace);
  • pre-combustion capture where biomass is split into a carbon-rich fraction (CO2 or carbon) and a hydrogen-rich fuel (biomethane, synthetic natural gas (SNG) or hydrogen).

Generating hydrogen maximizes the negative emission potential, at the cost of dealing with a gas where less experience is available in industry. The alternative pathway of direct air capture and storage avoids the potential complications that come with biomass (resource availability, logistics, etc).
The proposed workpackage studies the various options in the context of concrete case studies with customers and technology suppliers. It has strong interactions with the scenario analysis in WP01 and the industrial heat supply in WP04 and WP10, and it lays the foundation for a subsequent P&D project WPPD5.

Tasks:

  • T12.1 CO2-negative hydrogen production through gasification
  • T12.2 CO2-negative emissions through biological processes
  • T12.3 Post-combustion capture on an industrial plant
  • T12.4 Direct air capture and storage

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): from 3 to 4

Expected Outcomes / Milestones:

  • Innosuisse project on negative-emissions case studies submitted
  • Expert workshops conducted within Tasks 12.1 and 12.2
  • Industrial process identified to apply post-combustion capture
  • Concept for P&D project formulated

Duration: January 2021 - December 2024 (48 months)

Lead: Dr. Guidati Gianfranco (ETHZ)

Team:

 WP11

WPPD1-5