CO2afvang

CO2afvang, a Dutch term translating to "CO2 capture," refers to the process of separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere. This captured CO2 can then be stored underground in geological formations, a process known as CO2 storage or sequestration, or utilized in various applications, a concept known as CO2 utilization. The primary motivation behind CO2afvang is to mitigate climate change by reducing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Several technologies exist for CO2afvang, broadly categorized into pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxy-fuel combustion. Pre-combustion capture involves converting the fuel into a mixture of hydrogen and CO2 before combustion, allowing for easier separation of the CO2. Post-combustion capture, the most common method, separates CO2 from the flue gases after the fuel has been burned. Oxy-fuel combustion burns fuel in a mixture of oxygen and recycled flue gas, resulting in a flue gas with a higher concentration of CO2, making capture more efficient. Direct air capture (DAC) technologies aim to remove CO2 directly from ambient air, offering a way to address historical emissions.

Once captured, the CO2 can be transported via pipelines or ships to storage sites. Geological storage options include depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline aquifers, and unmineable coal seams. CO2 utilization can involve using the captured gas in the production of chemicals, fuels, building materials, or in enhanced oil recovery. While CO2afvang holds promise as a climate change mitigation strategy, challenges remain regarding its cost-effectiveness, energy intensity, and the long-term security of CO2 storage.