Is Carbon Capture and Storage a Scam?

Posted on | February 7, 2009 | 2 Comments

The National Mining Association (NMA) is sponsoring a website and advertising campaign promoting the concept of capturing carbon emissions and storing it.

They claim:
“As America and the world move toward policies to stabilize and reduce carbon emissions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies present one of the most promising and effective options for large-scale reductions in CO2 emissions from energy use.

CCS is the latest in a portfolio of clean coal technologies that have successfully managed emissions from coal-based generation.

There are three primary methods of capturing CO2. Pre-combustion, or separating CO2 from gasified coal prior to combustion; post-combustion, which captures CO2 from the flue gas stream after the coal is burned; and oxy coal combustion, where the combustion of coal takes place in an oxygen-rich environment, resulting in flue gas more ready for sequestration.

Pre-combustion
In pre-combustion carbon capture, coal is gasified by applying heat and steam in a high-pressure, controlled-oxygen environment. The resulting syngas consists primarily of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases. By processing the CO in a water-gas-shift reactor, the addition of water produces CO2 and additional H2 gases. The highly concentrated CO2 can be separated and stored, while the hydrogen may be cleanly combusted or, as under a project being developed under the Department of Energy (DOE) Fuel Cell Program, used in hydrogen fuel cells. Due to the increased concentration of CO2 in the pre-combustion syngas, pre-combustion carbon capture technologies are extremely efficient compared to in post-combustion flue gas. By using pre-combustion processes, CO2 emissions may be reduced by 90 to 95 percent.

Pre CombustionIntegrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) coal-based plants are prime candidates for pre-combustion gasification. In the near-term, CO2 gas will likely be separated from the syngas streams via physical or chemical solvents such as glycol-based Selexol and amine-based gas removal systems. Work is underway on the development of membrane separation units to selectively separate H2 gas from CO and CO2 gases.

Post-combustion
Post CombustionAfter combustion in a pulverized coal plant, CO2 may be removed from the resulting flue gas. This approach may be retrofitted to existing coal-based power plants without significant modifications to the plant, but is more challenging than pre-combustion methods due to the low pressure and diluted nature of the post-combustion gases. However, properly deployed, post-combustion technologies can capture 80 to 90 percent of CO2 emissions.

Currently in post-combustion capture, CO2 is captured from flue gas which (largely comprised of nitrogen gas and CO2) through the use of chemical solvents such as amines (nitrogen-based organic compounds). These technologies have been deployed in limited slipstream applications. Future opportunities and improved performance may be found in membranes, sorbents or cryogenic isolation, which are currently being researched.

Oxy-coal combustion
Post CombustionThe oxy-coal process creates a oxygen-rich environment for coal combustion, resulting in a more complete combustion and a nearly pure CO2 and water vapor exhaust stream. When cooled, CO2 is easily separated from the water in this process. Oxy-coal combustion may be retrofitted to existing coal plants, however the current process of separating oxygen from air cryogenically is energy-intensive and requires an input of approximately 15 percent of a plant’s annual energy output. A new technology, called chemical looping combustion, in which oxygen is separated from the air via the oxidation of a metallic compound, may reduce costs in the future. Oxy-coal combustion can remove 90 percent of CO2 from emissions.”

But, what will be done with the captured emissions? How can it safely be transported? How long will it stay stored?

The NMA’s answers:

“Carbon Storage
Once CO2 is captured from a power plant, it can be transported via pipeline or truck to locations where appropriate geologic conditions will allow for safe storage.

Depleted Oil and Gas Reservoirs
Oil and gas reservoirs are formations that held crude oil and natural gas. Generally, they consist of a layer of porous rock with a dome-shaped layer of non-porous rock above. The dome shape, which historically trapped oil or gas, has the potential to act as a carbon trap once oil and gas drilling is completed. According to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), “more than 88 billion metric tons of geologic storage potential exists in 9,667 oil and gas reservoirs distributed over 27 states and 3 [Canadian] provinces.”

In addition, CO2 injected into an oil reservoir may dissolve into oil trapped in the porous rocks of the formation, thus reducing the oil’s viscosity. That, in turn, allows an additional 10 to 15 percent of the oil to be recovered from the well. This process of enhanced oil recovery has been in use in the U.S. since the 1970s.

Unmineable Coal Seams
Some coal seams are either too deep or too thin to be mined economically. However, all coal seams contain methane, and wells may be drilled to collect the methane for use in energy applications. Once the initial stores of methane are recovered, CO2 may be pumped into the wells, where it is preferentially stored in the coal, releasing additional methane. According to NETL, between three and 13 molecules of CO2 are absorbed for each molecule of methane, making coal seams an excellent storage location for CO2. “More than 180 billion metric tons of CO2 sequestration potential exists in unmineable coal seams…distributed over 24 states and 3 provinces,” according to NETL.

Saline formations
Less understood but very promising is the storage potential of deep saline aquifers, or brine-saturated rock formations that occur deep underground or under the ocean. An analysis by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2006 showed that wells deep underground consisting of porous rock, such as limestone or sandstone, saturated with saltwater would form an effective trap for injected CO2. Geologically, over time, some CO2 would react with rock minerals to form solid carbonates, further immobilizing it. Deep saline aquifers could potentially store between 3,300 to more than 12,200 billion metric tons of CO2, according to NETL.

The Sleipner project off the coast of Norway has been using deep saline storage since 1996 as part of their natural gas drilling efforts. CO2 from the project is injected into the Utsira formation, a sandy reservoir 800 meters beneath the North Sea. Twenty thousand tons of CO2 are added to storage each week. After more than 10 years the project continues to be successful.

Additional pilot programs for deep saline aquifer storage are currently under development all over the world.”

Does this seem like a reasonable plan to anyone?

World cannot afford to ignore climate change

Posted on | February 5, 2009 | 122 Comments

by the United Nations

World cannot afford to ignore climate change, Ban says at New Delhi summit
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon received the Sustainable Development Leadership Award from H.E. Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

5 February 2009 – The world must tackle the growing threat of climate change, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a sustainable development summit in New Delhi today, stressing that the crisis threatens to roll back development gains and lead to further economic and social misery.

“We cannot afford to ignore or underestimate this existential threat. Failure to combat climate change will increase poverty and hardship,” Mr. Ban said upon receiving the Sustainable Development Leadership Award at the summit taking place in the Indian capital.

“It will destabilize economies, breed insecurity in many countries and undermine our goals for sustainable development,” he told the gathering.

We cannot afford to ignore or underestimate this existential threat. Failure to combat climate change will increase poverty and hardship

Mr. Ban, who has made climate change the priority of his mandate as United Nations chief, stressed that tackling the threat will require “all our leadership, all our commitment, all our ingenuity.”

While facing up to the crisis will not be easy, he noted, it does provide an “exciting opportunity” to make progress on a range of sustainable development issues.

“By pursuing a green economy based on efficient and equitable resource use, we will cut down greenhouse gas emissions and protect essential ecosystems.

“At the same time, we will reinvigorate national economies, create employment and livelihood opportunities, improve human well-being and achieve our sustainable development targets,” said the Secretary-General.

Looking ahead to the crucial climate change negotiations scheduled for December in Copenhagen, Mr. Ban stressed the need to achieve an ambitious, comprehensive and ratifiable agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A successful outcome will depend on resolving three main political challenges, he added.

First, Copenhagen must clarify commitments of developed countries to reduce their emissions, by setting ambitious mid-term targets, with credible baselines. Also important is to achieve clarity on what mitigation actions developing countries will be prepared to make.

Secondly, Copenhagen must advance on the issue of financing the mitigation and adaptation needs of developing countries.

Thirdly, governments, as well as the UN system must come up with credible solutions for the governance of new funds, and for their implementation response.

The Secretary-General arrived in New Delhi, following visits to neighbouring Pakistan and Afghanistan yesterday.

FLIR Cameras Make Greenhouse Gases Visible

Posted on | February 5, 2009 | Comments Off

Easily Detects Sulfur Hexafluoride!

FLIR’s GasfindIR-LW Infrared Camera Can Sense Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6), the “Greenhouse Gas” with an Estimated Atmospheric Lifetime of 3,200 Years.

Based on a unique, patent-pending technology, FLIR’s GasFindIR-LW is a one-of-a-kind infrared camera designed to help the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and utility companies to better control Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) emissions. In addition to the “greenhouse gas” SF6, the versatile GasFindIR-LW can also detect more than 20 other fugitive gases. Preserve the environment now and for future generations!

* Detects SF6 at levels as low as 0.026g/hr
* Also detects the following:
o Acetic Acid (C2H4O2)
o Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3)
o Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2)
o Dichlorodifluoromethane “FREON-12″ (CCl2F2)
o Ethyl Cyanoacrylate “Superglue” (C6H7NO2)
o Ethylene (C2H4)

What do all FLIR Infrared Cameras have in common?

The GasFindIR-LW comes with the FLIR name behind it. That means it incorporates FLIR’s 30+ years of experience in thermal imaging. You get superior ergonomics, advanced signal processing, ambient temperature control and a host of other infrared camera and thermal imaging exclusives. FLIR offers the widest selection of IR cameras and thermal imagers, the best post-sale technical support, the world’s largest and most experience thermal imaging training organization – the Infrared Training Center – and award-winning customer service. Our core business is infrared thermal imaging. We invite you to call and speak with an infrared camera or thermal imaging expert at 1 800 464 6372.

Power Sources: Improved Batteries

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | Comments Off

The US government is trying to improve using batteries as a power source. One of the driving forces is to secure energy for the military. Sandia National Laboratories is spearheading the project.

Executive Summary

Our objective is to be a preferred source for power sources, electrochemistry expertise, testing, and storage systems integration for government and industry by:
* Applying state-of-the-art research, development, modeling, design, and engineering capabilities to meet our customers’ expanding needs for reliable, high-performance, state-of-the-art power sources.
* Developing specialized thermal batteries, lithium batteries, silver/zinc batteries, lead-acid, zinc/bromine, sodium/sulfur, nickel/cadmium batteries, RTG’s, ultracapacitors, and special components
* Being a leader in providing highly versatile, responsive, and impartial power source evaluation, analysis, abuse testing, and failure analysis.
* Implementing state-of-the-art battery abuse tests to understand failure mechanisms and help our customers field safer electrochemical systems.
* Leading Sandia’s effort to integrate power sources with power electronics for energy storage systems.
*>Cooperating with industry and universities to develop a comprehensive modeling effort for power source technology that includes engineering tools based on fundamental understanding of electrochemistry.
* Contributing to strengthen Sandia’s competency in fuel cell development.

Our goal is to be Sandia’s center of excellence in power sources for DOE applications and to meet the needs of defense and commercial markets. We will achieve this goal by making a strong commitment to listening to our customers’ needs; seeking out projects that use our unique skills related to customized, high performance power source system design; and fostering and maintaining a participatory atmosphere that encourages and supports staff creativity, communication, and growth.

By building on our past contributions to Sandia programs, we accept the challenge to continue to improve the way we do business by seeking ways of reducing time and the cost of doing business. We will focus our efforts on using our unique combination of skills in areas ranging from new materials development to production, to deliver customized power source designs, developing calculational capabilities that will lead to a new way of designing power sources, and continuing to provide high-quality, confidential, objective test and evaluation services to our customers.

Introduction

The legacy of our contributions to power sources for weapon systems (DOE and DOD) provides a strong technology base and comprehensive facilities upon which we are enhancing our capabilities to work with all sectors. We have expanded our original role and are developing solutions to electric and hybrid electric vehicle applications as well as national electric energy problems. The scope of our activities spans fulfilling the demanding needs of batteries and other power sources for weapon systems, to contributing to the power source technology for the evolving MEMS (Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems) applications , to the ongoing improvements in energy storage being sought in electric utility and stationary applications business, to the broad arena of consumer power source needs.