UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024 – Parallel 2a: CO2 Capture – Waste (ECR Meeting Fund)

Ikemefuna Collins Nwanze (University of Wolverhampton) and Zongqiang Ren (Cardiff University) share their takeaways from “Parallel 2a: CO2 Capture – Waste” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

How can solid waste (biomass, wood, ash) become a powerful tool for carbon capture and storage? At the recent UKCCSRC conference, the session titled “CO₂ Capture – Waste” provided exciting answers to this question. Featuring talks by Fatih Gulec (University of Nottingham), Kofoworola Awodun (Brunel University of London) and Mark Roberts (Evero), the session gave the guidance of carbon capture with up-to-date materials and cutting-edge techniques.

Fatih Gulec started the session with the topic of Carbon Negative Energy Production Through Chemical Looping Combustion of Biomass/Biochar. Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) could be the most advanced and economical CO₂ removal technology. Chemical looping combustion of biofuels (Bio-CLC) is an innovative advanced combustion technology for converting biomass and biochar into bioenergy.

Key points:

1. High combustion efficiency for biomass and biochar is high while using stoichiometrically required oxygen carriers.
2. Combustion efficiency of biochar also depends on temperature.
3. Chemical looping offers a promising path to carbon-negative energy, which could play a vital role in reducing atmospheric CO₂

Kofoworola Awodun presented on Synthesis & Application of Waste-derived Sorbents for CO₂ Capture. Her research shows an innovative method of transforming solid wastes such as biomass, plastics and industrial waste into sorbents for CO₂ capture. The fabrication of biomass combustion bottom ash mixed with waste chicken egg shell by pyrolysis and pelletisation had high surface area, pore volume and CO₂ capture ability than other calcium catalysts.

Key points:

1. Awodun’s approach highlights the utilising of industrial and household waste in CCS promotes a circular economy.
2. The presence of carbon and organic compounds during the materials production process indicate the potential for conversion to porous carbon.
3. The use of calcium catalyst help improve the quality of activated carbon and improved carbon sequestration capacity.
4. The sorbents produced from wastes has the potential to be incorporated into the electricity sector in the form of BECCS.

Mark Roberts concluded the session with insights into Optimising the Plant Ready for Carbon Capture – Waste Wood and Gasification. He gave a brief introduction on what his company (Evero) has achieved in the area of energy recovery facilities and carbon capture and storage. His focus is on combining carbon capture with waste wood gasification technology, with the aim of making the process as efficient and cost-effective as possible. By optimising plant design and operation, Roberts explained how waste-to-energy systems can become more sustainable and ready for the carbon capture era.

Key points:

1. Ince GGR project operational by 2030.
2. 600,000 tons of wastes wood carbon removal with Evero.
3. 5 Mtpa GGR potential across UK waste wood fleet.
4. Helping protect as man as 200,000 wood industry jobs

Common Themes & Reflections

A clear theme emerged from these presentations: solid wastes can be an invaluable resource in CCS and our transition to a low-carbon future. The importance of utilising waste was highlighted in this session, not only to reduce traditional disposal methods such as combustion and landfill, but also as an essential component of an effective carbon capture strategy. These discussions also highlight the need for collaboration across sectors (academia, industry and government) to overcome barriers to implementation. Whether it’s optimizing technology for economic feasibility or improving material performance, there’s much work to be done.

As we reflect on the session, one thing becomes clear: the future of carbon capture and storage is rooted in innovation and sustainability. The presentations indicated how transforming waste can pave the way for our carbon-negative society.