UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024 – Plenary 2 (ECR Meeting Fund)

Shadab Alam (Teesside University) shares their takeaways from “Plenary 2” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

The second plenary session of the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024, held at the University of Sheffield, brought together three distinguished speakers who shared their insights on different aspects of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) implementation in the UK and Europe.

Dr. Hannah Galbraith-Olive from ERM’s Sustainable Energy Solutions team opened the session with her presentation on long-term business models for CCS. Her research, conducted as part of the C4U project under Horizon 2020 funding, identified three crucial components for viable CCS business models: revenue generation, infrastructure ownership and capital financing. Dr Hannah emphasized that a diversified portfolio of business models, tailored to varying market conditions and regulatory environments, is essential for scaling CCS and achieving the EU’s target of storing 50 MtCO₂/year by 2050​. Her analysis suggests the CCS projects should prioritize reducing risks for industrial partners, transitioning toward more mature, self-sustaining markets.

The second speaker, Dr. Andrew Cavanagh from SCCS at the University of Edinburgh, presented a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of carbon capture costs across Europe. His research examined 110 projects targeting a combined capture capacity of 155 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030, split between the UK and European Economic Area.

Dr. Cavanagh’s analysis revealed a clear cost differentiation in carbon capture based on CO₂ concentrations in source streams: (a) Concentrated streams (>90% CO₂) achieved the lowest capture costs ($30-50/t_CO2) that accounted for 8% of the total projects; (b) Diluted Stream (10-30% CO₂) represented the 90% of the projects with moderate cost ($85-115/t_CO2), while direct air capture (DAC) dealing with highly dilute streams (<1% CO₂) showed the highest capture costs of around $250-350/t_CO2 which accounted for just 2% of the total projects. Thus, Dr. Cavanagh proposed a new five-domain cost model that accounts for variations in CO₂ stream concentration and sectoral dynamics which can guide policymakers and investors by providing confidence-based cost metrics, reducing uncertainties and improving market predictability.

The session concluded with Dr. Clair Gough, from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Manchester, who presented her work on BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) hubs in the UK context. Her research focused on the non-technical challenges facing BECCS deployment, which is expected to play a crucial role in the UK’s net zero strategy by the 2030s. Dr. Gough’s study examined five prospective BECCS supply chains for Power, H₂, Biofuel, Energy and Biogas production in Northwest England, using different biomass such as straw (wheat, barley, maize), sawdust, organic fraction of municipal solid waste and cattle dung which can be utilized in national grids and local industries. Her findings emphasized the need to balance opportunities like shared infrastructure and regional expertise development against resource competition. The research also underscored the significance of community engagement and stakeholder perspectives in successful BECCS implementation.

Together, these presentations painted a comprehensive picture of the current state and future challenges of CCS implementation. From business models and economic considerations to practical deployment challenges and community engagement, the session highlighted the multifaceted approach needed to achieve ambitious carbon capture targets. The presentations aligned with both UK and EU objectives, including the EU’s mandate to capture and store 50 MT of CO₂ annually by 2030 and the UK’s identical target for 2035.

The session demonstrated that while technical solutions for carbon capture exist across various sectors, successful implementation requires careful consideration of economic viability, infrastructure development and social acceptance. The speakers’ diverse expertise, from business modelling and techno-economic analysis to social and policy research, emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of successful CCS deployment. As the UK and Europe move toward their respective carbon capture targets, the insights shared in this plenary session will be valuable for policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers working to establish effective and sustainable CCS projects. The presentations highlighted both the challenges and opportunities ahead, suggesting that success will require a balanced approach that considers technical, economic and social factors in equal measure.

Alexander Harrison (University of Oxford) and Muhammad Shahbaz (Teesside University) share their takeaways from “Parallel 2c: CO2 Capture – Looping” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

As researchers in carbon capture and related technologies, one of the purposes of Knowledge Exchange conferences, as organised by the UKCCSRC on 5-6 Nov 2024 at the University of Sheffield, is to understand the requirements of government and industry for new process of carbon capture and removal processes, and link these to current research on novel technologies and process. Hence, the parallel session on the second day of the conference, “CO2 Capture – Looping” chaired by Chenggong Sun (University of Nottingham), provided three instructive talks on novel methods for carbon capture, heat integration and ‘blue’ H₂ production, with the key findings providing insights on how ambitious targets over the next 5-10 years might be met.

Dr Wei Li – Nottingham University – Functionalised silica with alkoxylated amines

The first talk in the session was from Dr Wei Li, of Nottingham University, regarding her research on producing silica functionalised with alkoxylated polyethyleneimine (APEI). This study was part of the ABSALT project involving seven partners from four universities from four countries and three industries including BASF (Germany) and PQ (UK). By fixing amine groups to the surface of silica, the looping process eliminates some of the problems of nitrogen leakage with conventional amine looping systems, as highlighted in the opening session by representatives from the Environment Agency. The process has been previously investigated in a 100kg pilot plant and has been shown to be technically feasible (Kim et al., 2021), but with further development. Dr Li’s talk discussed the preparation of the APEI sorbents in a novel method eschewing the use of organic solvents, and thus adhering to green chemistry principles. The degree of alkoxylation of the surface functional groups was also shown to be highly influential on the material properties, with an inherent trade-off between CO₂ capacity and sorbent stability over repeated cycles. At the end of her talk, Dr Li thanked the project funders, specially mentioning the UKCCSRC 2024 Flexible Fund for funding this study.

Summary of the ABSALT project, taken from Dr Li’s presentation

Dr Song He – Cranfield University – Heat recovery in Ca-Cu chemical looping cycles

However, in order to achieve truly cost-effective carbon capture, looping cycles that eschew the need for amines altogether are highly desirable. Therefore, the work of Dr Song He, of Cranfield University, in investigating how to improve the thermal efficiency of the calcium looping process was of considerable interest. He described the calcium looping process in which flue gas from a CO₂ point source (e.g. a power station, cement works or steel plant) is passed over calcium oxide, which reacts to form calcium carbonate. The carbonate is then calcined in a separate reactor to generate a pure stream of CO₂, closing the chemical loop. However, as in all carbon-capture processes, the calcination process to regenerate the sorbent requires a significant heat input, limiting the overall energy efficiency of the process. Therefore, in the scheme described by Dr He, the calcium looping cycle is coupled with chemical looping combustion using copper-based oxygen carriers, and steam methane reforming to generate syngas. The overall process taking flue gas, natural gas and air as inputs at different points in the process, and producing purified CO₂ and electricity as products, with an overall thermal energy efficiency of around 2 MJ/kg_CO2. In a robust and fruitful Q&A section, the importance of translating computational results into experiments was discussed, highlighting the influence of thermally-coupled reactor design, and preparation of hybrid Ca-Cu materials for carbon capture and chemical looping combustion.

Process flow diagram of the heat-integrated Ca-Cu chemical looping system (taken from He et al., 2024)

Economic analysis of the Ca-Cu chemical looping scheme, taken from Dr He’s presentation

Dr Christopher de Leeuwe – University of Manchester– Update on the H₂-RECYCLE project

Lastly, Dr Christopher de Leeuwe, of the University of Manchester, gave us an update on their ongoing H₂-RECYCLE project for chemical looping reforming of methane to produce blue H₂ in a packed-bed reactor with the collaboration of the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.  He explained that the fundamentals of the CL-reforming process are similar to the chemical looping cycles described by Dr He, however, rather than using two separate reactors for oxyfuel combustion and catalytic reforming, the same material (here, proprietary nickel-based catalysts supplied by Johnson Matthey) acts as both the catalyst and the chemical looping material, and the syngas produced is exported as a product rather than used as a fuel to drive the process. Over the course of a cycle, the material is sequentially oxidised in air to generate heat, and reduced in CO-rich off-gas from elsewhere in the system to generate a solid with high reducing potential, which then reacts with methane to produce syngas. Therefore, by operating three reactors in parallel at different stages of the process, the entire system can be operated pseudo-continuously, generating nearly pure streams of H₂, and CO₂ for storage.

Schematic diagram of the H2-RECYCLE process (taken from Alexandros Argyris et al., 2022)

The project has been ongoing for some time, and has been most exciting to watch for many members of the chemical looping community (ourselves included), as it constitutes one of the first practical demonstrations of the CL-reforming process at near pilot-pilot scale including every unit operation in the overall process, using the largest packed-bed chemical looping reactor built to date in the UK. Chris’ talk reminded us of some of the challenges that come with trying to scale up from the lab-scale, including difficulties with purchasing alloy tubes of the correct size to fit in the reactor, the challenges of working with mains natural gas as opposed to a certified 5.0 purity cylinder, and industrial partners being perplexed that they would call a ‘mere’ 10 kg scale reactor a pilot plant (while all the academics during the talk shuddered at the thought of having to produce that much catalyst by hand!). We look forward to hearing further updates from the project at the next UKCCSRC meeting, where we are sure the Manchester team will have developed a world-first in blue hydrogen production using chemical looping.

Targets for the H2-RECYCLE project, from Dr de Leeuwe’s presentation

References

Alexandros Argyris, P., de Leeuwe, C., Abbas, S. Z., Amieiro, A., Poultson, S., Wails, D., & Spallina, V. (2022). Chemical looping reforming for syngas generation at real process conditions in packed bed reactors: An experimental demonstration. Chemical Engineering Journal, 435, 134883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.134883

He, S., Zheng, Y., Zeng, X., Wang, J., Gao, L., & Yang, D. (2024). Thermodynamic evaluation of a Ca-Cu looping post-combustion CO2 capture system integrated with thermochemical recuperation based on steam methane reforming. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 63, 105327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.105327

Kim, J.-Y., Woo, J.-M., Jo, S.-H., Kim, H., Lee, S.-Y., Yi, C.-K., Moon, J.-H., Nam, H., Won, Y., Stevens, L. A., Sun, C., Liu, H., Liu, J., Snape, C. E., & Park, Y. C. (2021). Performance of a silica-polyethyleneimine adsorbent for post-combustion CO2 capture on a 100 kg scale in a fluidized bed continuous unit. Chemical Engineering Journal, 407, 127209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.127209

Ubong Ekanem (University of Strathclyde) and Saheed Bello (University of Cambridge) share their takeaways from “Parallel 2b: CO2 Transport” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

The session on CO2 Tranport was chaired by Dr. Ben Wethall and had three presentations. The first was made by Dr. Abubakr Ayub Sheikh, a Research Fellow from Teesside University. His research aims to assess the techno-economic feasibility of creating a ‘Northern Ireland/Great Britain Green Shipping Corridor’ connecting Northern Ireland (Larne) with Northwest England (Liverpool). The study which seeks to utilize a roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) freight ferry and container vessels for transport of trailers, will have the vessels powered by hydrogen, produced onboard through the reforming of green methanol. This methanol would be transported in road-mobile ISO tank containers and synthesised at the Port of Larne using green H₂ and CO₂ as part of the Power-to-X Project.

The project’s key innovation lies in its circular CO₂ economy. CO₂ captured from the onboard reformer would be returned to the methanol synthesis plant in the same containers used to deliver the methanol. The port-based green methanol plant would harness renewable energy (wind/solar) to operate a PEM electrolyser, generating green hydrogen for a catalytic reactor. This Green Shipping Corridor would achieve ‘true-zero’ emissions without relying on limited bio-derived or direct air-captured CO2 sources. Moreover, it would eliminate the need for carbon offsetting to meet net-zero goals.

The second speaker, Dr. Fengyuan Zhang, a Research Fellow from the University College London, presented on “An optimisation model for the design of multi-modal CO₂ transportation in carbon capture and storage supply chain”. He formulated a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model to optimise the design of a multi-modal CO₂ transportation chain for CCS, for a point-to-point system joining six onshore emitters in Germany with a total of 2.6 Mt CO₂ captured per year, three interim storage at the port, and a storage site at Northern Lights.

The proposed model, which accounts for the costs of CO₂ conditioning, interim storage and liquefaction, considers several potential CO2 transport routes: the transport modes include pipelines, ships, rail and trucks. He was able to show that trucks are more economical and flexible for short-distance and small-scale CO₂ transport. However, as the transport volume increases, a combination of trucks and pipelines becomes the most cost-effective approach, while exclusively use of pipelines is optimal for even larger volumes.

The last presentation for the session was made by Dr. Teke Xu, a Research fellow from University College London, and titled “A Review of Problems and Methods of Optimising Sensor Placement for CO₂ Pipeline Transport Systems”. Teke reviewed the optimisation problems and methods developed for non-CO₂ pipeline transport monitoring systems, with a focus on their potential application to CO₂ pipelines. The work identifies key objectives for monitoring CO₂ pipelines, classifies the optimization problems and related mathematical algorithms for sensor placement, and outlines relevant optimization criteria, constraints, and performance indicators. The review also includes a discussion of applicability and limitations of the identified methods to CO₂ pipeline systems.

Afterwards, the UKCCSRC’s Knowledge and Exchange Conference 2024 finished with a keynote address by Chet Biliyok, from Petrofac, a scientific industry expert who shared his several project management experiences. He also provided current and potential job opportunities for early career researchers aiming to work at Petrofac. The UKCCSRC Director made a fantastic closing remarks with awards. All participants took a nice lunch to add calories as they left. In fact, it was an excellent meeting to nourish the knowledge of CCUS technologies in combating climate change. Uncountable thanks to the organizers and the participants!

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.

Abdulsalam Abdulkarim (Robert Gordon University) and Hassan Chamas (Brunel University of London) share their takeaways from “Parallel 1c: CCUS Case Studies” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

Exploring the Environmental and Economic Impact of Project MONET and CO₂ Utilization at the UKCCSRC Conference

This year’s UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) Conference at Sheffield University brought together top researchers, industry leaders and policymakers focused on transforming our carbon future. With an emphasis on innovative projects like Project MONET, circular economy models, and CO₂ utilization initiatives in the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), the conference shone a light on the dual challenges of sustainability and economic growth as we move toward a net-zero UK.

Project MONET: Combining Sustainability with Profitability

Project MONET, one of the conference’s highlights, is designed to bridge the gap between ecological responsibility and economic viability. In essence, MONET is all about capturing CO₂ emissions from industrial operations and converting them into usable resources—turning a significant source of waste into something valuable. What’s unique about MONET is its approach to balancing both environmental and economic needs. The project is proof that climate action doesn’t have to be a financial burden. On the contrary, MONET shows that sustainable practices can lead to cost savings and even create new revenue opportunities, particularly within a circular economy model.

Orla Williams (University of Nottingham) presenting about Project MONET

Environmental Impact: Project MONET’s approach to CO₂ capture and reuse makes a real impact by lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It’s not just about capturing CO₂—it’s about creatively repurposing it, which could have a transformative effect on industrial sustainability. At the conference, we heard how MONET’s processes could lead to significant emission reductions across the sector, making it a game-changer for industries looking to shrink their carbon footprint.

Economic Potential: But it’s not only about the environment; MONET is also economically savvy. By employing cost-effective technologies and forming strategic partnerships, the project turns CO₂ into a commodity rather than a costly pollutant. For industries hesitant to adopt green practices due to cost concerns, MONET offers a compelling case for how eco-friendly operations can be financially sustainable as well.

Circularity and CO₂ Utilization in the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC)

SWIC, a leading industrial cluster based in South Wales, is pushing boundaries with its approach to CO₂ management through circular economy principles. At the conference, we learnt more about SWIC’s efforts to create a model of circularity that not only recycles industrial by-products but also redefines waste as a resource—particularly when it comes to CO₂.

Advancing Circularity: In heavy industries, waste by-products are often simply discarded. SWIC is challenging this norm by implementing methods that repurpose these by-products—including CO₂—as inputs for further production. By transitioning from a linear “take-make-waste” model to a circular system, SWIC not only reduces waste but also saves on raw materials and energy, making it easier and cheaper for companies to reduce their environmental footprint.

CO₂ Utilization: One of the most exciting parts of SWIC’s circular economy approach is its emphasis on CO₂ utilization. Instead of treating CO₂ as a waste product, SWIC captures these emissions and transforms them into something valuable, such as synthetic fuels, construction materials, and even products for the building industry. This shift allows SWIC to turn what was once a costly environmental burden into an asset that generates new revenue streams—all while helping the cluster significantly cut down its carbon footprint.

Fostering Innovation and Collaboration at the UKCCSRC Sheffield Conference

The UKCCSRC conference isn’t just about presentations; it’s a space where minds come together to shape the future of sustainable industry. By fostering a collaborative environment, the conference enabled researchers, business leaders, and government officials to learn from each other’s successes, challenges and visions.

Networking and Knowledge Sharing: Through keynotes, panels and informal discussions, the conference offered endless opportunities to exchange ideas and insights. It was a chance for all involved to dive deep into the latest advancements, share best practices, and perhaps even form new collaborations that will drive the industry forward.

Building a Sustainable Future: Ultimately, projects like MONET and SWIC are helping to pave the way toward a more sustainable, economically viable future. The UKCCSRC conference shows that when environmental and economic goals align, industries can support both the planet and their bottom lines in a circular economy model.

Azibayam Amabogha (University of Glasgow) and Robyn Mottram (UCL) share their takeaways from “Parallel 1b: CO2 Storage” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

The first talk of the session was presented by David Healy, from the University of Leeds, and was titled ‘Pump it up? Quantifying the stress paths of depleted oil & gas reservoirs to prepare for CO₂ injection’. David Healy is a professor at Geosolutions Leeds within the Earth Sciences department. They work on Hamilton (East Irish Sea) and Viking A (North Sea) carbon storage sites, both of which are depleted oil reservoirs.

In the UK, proposed storage sites for CO₂ are in depleted oil reservoirs, which have previously housed oil and gas. Thus, they possess the storage capacity and properties required for long-term CO₂ storage. However, David pointed out that this may be a more complex challenge. He brought our attention to uncertainties surrounding the geomechanical/structural integrity of these reservoirs. David presented the uncertainties to us with the aid of Mohr circles: diagrams that show changes in stress within rocks.

If stresses within a rock increase to reach the failure envelope, fracturing occurs. Theoretically, adding fluid moves the Mohr circle towards the failure envelope, and removing fluid moves the Mohr circle away from the failure envelope. This is an important consideration for CO₂ injection into depleted oil reservoirs. David explained that when hydrocarbons are removed from the reservoirs, there is a significant change in effective stress and a decrease in minimum horizontal stress as pore pressure decreases. This can be represented by a Mohr circle growing bigger and moving away from the failure envelope over the life cycle of oil extraction.

Uncertainties arise when determining what happens if pore pressure is subsequently increased because of CO₂ injection. To reduce uncertainty, what happened to the reservoir rocks during hydrocarbon removal must be identified.  There are three possibilities: compaction, poroelasticity (isotropic) or normal faulting. Each scenario produces a different Mohr circle, but it is not currently possible to identify which scenario has occurred – this forms the crucial point of the research conducted by David’s group, which is investigating how this can be identified.

David highlighted that due to constant extraction of hydrocarbons and reduced pore pressure, the safe window for drilling in the southern North Sea and Irish Sea (where Viking A and Hamilton CCS sites are based) has narrowed. This trend can also be expected in other oil and gas reservoirs worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to understand these stress change processes better to ensure safe CO₂ injection.

In summary, the depletion of hydrocarbon reservoirs has likely changed the stress regimen, and injecting CO₂ will change this stress again, but there are uncertainties surrounding these changes.

The second talk was presented by Abbas Rajaei, from the University of Bradford. Abbas is researching Petrochemical Engineering and has been working in CCS for two years. Abbas’ talk was titled ‘CO₂ Sequestration in the Steel and Cement Industry Using Indirect Mineral Carbonation (IMC) Process’.

The steel and cement industries are considered hard to abate industries, with 1 tonne of steel producing 1.91 tonnes of CO_2, and 1 tonne of cement producing 0.8 tonnes of CO₂.  Abbas’ research aims to help reduce the carbon intensity of steel and cement production by locking the produced CO₂ in CaCO₃.

Abbas is conducting an experimental study of IMC using cement and steel wastes. The process is conducted at ambient pressure and temperature, so is not an energy intensive process. There are four main stages:

1. Extraction – Three acids (HCl, HNO₃ and H₂SO₄) are being tested for suitability in removing minerals from steel and cement wastes to form a mineral-enriched leachate.
2. pH swing – The leachate is titrated with NaOH to increase pH and remove impurities such as Fe, Al and Mg. The remaining solution is high in Ca.
3. CO2 capture – CO₂ is injected into the NaOH to produce Na₂CO₃. CO₂ absorption is calculated.
4. Carbonation – Na₂CO₃ is added to the Ca-rich solution, resulting in the formation of CaCO₃ and locking up the CO₂.

At present, this method allows for 39.5% of CO₂ emitted from steel production to be locked up in CaCO₃ after 40 days. Abbas and his team are investigating how to optimise this process.

Similar to the previous speaker, the session’s final speaker, Zongqian Ren, was also working on enhancing carbon sequestration via carbonation, albeit by taking a direct approach.  Zongqian is a second-year PhD researcher at the Geoenvironmental Research Centre, University of Cardiff. His talk was on “Enhanced Carbon Sequestration via Carbonation of Biochar-Steel Slag Composite”.

Zongqian proposed using biochar as a catalyst to enhance the carbon sequestration capabilities of steel slag. Steel slag is a waste material generated during the manufacture of steel. Its indiscriminate disposal can result in a slew of environmental problems. The speaker pointed out, however, that despite its reputation as a waste material, steel slag can be a good candidate for carbon dioxide sequestration due to the presence of several calcium mineral phases. An example would be the reaction between calcium silicate and CO₂ to form a stable solid product like calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). This aspect of the speaker’s talk emphasises the importance of a circular economy where waste materials are repurposed into valuable resources while simultaneously working to reduce further environmental problems.

Zongqian discussed that despite its vast potential, the low carbonation degree of crystalline steel slag limits its efficacy for carbon sequestration. Thus, to manage this, his research aims to use biochar—a byproduct from the pyrolysis of biomass—as a catalyst to enhance the carbonation degree of steel slag. According to Zongqian, the benefit of this, beyond the presence of stable carbons, is that the biochar due to its high porosity can provide additional diffusion channels, allowing for gas transport to reactive sites within the steel slag during the carbonation reaction process.

The process of achieving the enhancement discussed in the talk involves three iterative steps: mixing, carbonation and oven drying.

After the experiment, Zongqian reported that adding biochar significantly improved the CO₂ sequestration capabilities of steel slag, with approximately 20 wt.% biochar yielding a 57% increase in CO₂ adsorption. Furthermore, the speaker discussed that the benefit of this mixture extends beyond the scope of carbon sequestration alone as they found that the binding effect of the two materials enhanced phosphorus removal and was effective in pH regulation as well as reducing conductivity compared to steel slag alone. This potential points towards effectively using the bonded material for wastewater treatment. Other use cases discussed by the speaker include soil remediation and cementitious materials (lightweight aggregates).

The parallel session on CO₂ storage highlighted some challenges and innovative solutions being researched in the carbon storage domain. It encompassed the complexities of stress regimes in depleted oil reservoirs discussed by David Healy, and the reuse of industrial wastes in the talks given by Abbas Rajaei and Zongqian Ren. Ultimately, the session underscored the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in managing the multifaceted problems associated with CO₂ sequestration.

Dr Usman Ali (Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Teesside University) and Zi Huang (University of Oxford) share their takeaways from “Parallel 1a: CO2 Capture – Next Generation” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

In the parallel session about next generation CO₂ capture, talks were delivered regarding molten carbonate membranes for CO₂ separation, porous carbon materials for the CO₂ separation and conversion, and adoption of machine learning to carry out sensitivity analysis of the blue hydrogen production. The parallel session was chaired by Professor Dawid Hanak from Teesside University.

Steam-Driven CO₂ Separation Using Supported Molten Salt Membranes

Jacqueline Penn, from Newcastle University, presented a novel approach to high-temperature CO₂ separation using supported molten carbonate and hydroxide salt membranes. Traditional membranes rely on a CO₂ pressure gradient to achieve separation; however, Penn’s work introduces a mechanism which uses steam in the sweep gas to drive CO₂ flux, even in the absence of a CO₂ pressure differential. The most mature membranes for CO₂ separation are polymeric membranes, which often do not meet these requirements and are poorly suited to the high temperature and humidity of the flue gas. This study considers the measurement of the CO₂ permeation in molten-carbonate and hydroxide salt membranes by performing the sensitivity analysis of the temperature, humidity and CO₂ concentration. Her findings reveal that adding steam significantly increases CO₂ permeation across the membrane, a breakthrough which could optimize carbon capture from industrial flue gases. These membranes also outperform traditional polymeric membranes, showing orders of magnitude improvements in permeability and selectivity.

Next-Generation Impact: By enabling CO₂ separation without relying on a pressure gradient, this steam-driven process offers a more versatile and efficient solution for high-temperature carbon capture, a potential game-changer in the industrial applications.

Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Materials for CO₂ Adsorption and Conversion

Dr. Stephen Lyth, from the University of Strathclyde, explored nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials for selective CO₂ adsorption and electrochemical reduction. By controlling the nitrogen content in the carbon foam, his team developed materials which enhance CO₂ binding and show high selectivity in converting CO₂ to synthesis gas (CO and H₂). Sustainable electrocatalysts were tested in an electrochemical flow cell, displaying record selectivity and activity for production of CO over the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. This study has explored the effect of tailoring the nitrogen content and pore size distribution on the CO₂ uptake capacity and selectivity, with reference to the isosteric heat of adsorption. This technology stands out by integrating capture and utilization, allowing CO₂ to be both captured and transformed into valuable chemicals. Traditional adsorbents lack this versatility and often suffer from stability issues; however, Lyth’s materials demonstrate durability over multiple cycles, suggesting strong potential for the industrial use.

Next-Generation Impact: This integration of capture and utilization in a single material exemplifies a new approach in carbon capture and utilization, where CO₂ can be converted directly into high-value products. This paves the way for sustainable carbon capture applications with added economic benefits.

Data-Driven Optimization for Blue Hydrogen Production

Billy Davies, from Brunel University of London, introduced a machine learning-based global sensitivity analysis approach to optimize blue hydrogen production. Using different computational methods, including SHAP, MORRIS and SOBOL, his team analyzed the key input variables, such as the CaO/CH₄ ratio, which influence hydrogen purity and efficiency. This data-driven method enhances model accuracy and interpretability, offering a sophisticated tool for optimizing complex systems in carbon capture and utilization processes. The research indicated star-based rating system which compares the GSA approaches in terms of robustness, computational efficiency and interpretability. Unlike traditional sensitivity analysis methods, which are often computationally intensive and limited in scope, Davies’ approach improves both speed and scalability.

Next-Generation Impact: By merging global sensitivity analysis with machine learning, this research represents a shift towards intelligent, adaptive process optimization in carbon capture and utilization. Such data-driven methods could improve performance and lower costs in complex carbon capture and hydrogen production processes.

These talks have been very informative in terms of the new developments across membranes, porous carbon materials for the CO₂ separation and data-driven approaches for analyzing the blue hydrogen production whilst maintaining high computational efficiency. The parallel session ended with a round of applause for the presenters for their insightful work.

Kofo Awodun (Brunel University of London) and Jacqueline Penn (Newcastle University) share their takeaways from Plenary 1 at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) recently hosted an insightful session at their Knowledge Exchange Conference (held at the University of Sheffield), bringing together some of the brightest minds in the field of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The first plenary session delved into the key social, technical and environmental considerations shaping the future of CCUS in the UK and beyond. With an emphasis on public perception, the skills needed for a just transition and environmental capacity in industrial clusters, the speakers provided a multifaceted look at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead on the road to net zero.

Dr Russein Mahon, from Robert Gordon University, kicked off the session with a thought-provoking talk on “The Faces of Carbon Capture and Storage”, focusing on how public perception of CCUS is evolving, and the challenges the industry faces in communicating its importance to diverse audiences. Russein emphasised the need for the CCUS sector to address public concerns about the technology’s safety, its environmental impact and its long-term viability. She observed that while there is increasing recognition of CCUS as a key solution for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, misconceptions persist. For example, the association of CCUS with high-risk, “unseen” technologies can lead to public scepticism. Russein highlighted countries that currently have a ban in CCS operations (shown in Figure 1). The key lessons learnt from this research were: stringent emissions regulations are key drivers behind successful CCS projects at scale, pilot projects have the potential to demonstrate value and increase public awareness and acceptability, and community engagement from project inception is required to ensure concerns are addressed and the benefits are clearly communicated.

Figure 1 – Dr Mahon highlighting areas with a recent ban on CCS operations

Next, Jen Roberts, from the University of Strathclyde, took the stage to discuss “Understanding the Skills Ecosystem for Geological CO₂ Storage”—a vital but often overlooked component of the CCUS landscape. The geological storage of CO₂, where captured CO₂ is injected into deep underground formations for long-term storage, presents a unique set of challenges that demand a specialised workforce. From geologists and engineers, to regulatory experts and environmental scientists, the range of expertise needed to ensure safe effective CO₂ storage is vast.

In this research, machine learning (AI) was used to track trends in CCS vacancies to better understand the ‘skills ecosystem’ for geological CO₂ storage. The research stressed the importance of training the next generation of professionals to support the transition to a low-carbon economy—referred to as the “just transition”— which depends not only on technological innovation but also on the creation of new green jobs that are accessible to a wide demographic.

The key challenges in the skills ecosystem highlighted in this research included: fewer graduates, the impacts of cost cutting and the need for flexible opportunities. Jen highlighted the opportunities of subsurface net zero technologies (SNZTs) in opening new industries, supply chains, markets and jobs. By tackling issues with diversity within SNZT sectors, Jen emphasizes the need to support inclusive talent to ensure the right skills are placed right at the right time for climate action.

Figure 2 – Jen Roberts discussing the need to understand skills ecosystems for geological CO2 storage to support a just transition

The final presentation of the session was delivered by Lorraine Hutt, senior adviser in climate change & energy at the Environment Agency.  The presentation on “Environmental Capacity in Industrial Clusters” showcased the work being carried out at the Environment Agency (EA) to enable the ‘right kind’ of net zero transition and shared valuable findings from the UK’s first two CCS clusters. The EA has three strategic goals to enable the right kind of net zero transition: regulating to drive down greenhouse gas emissions, regulating carbon markets and creating a circular economy through sustainable use of materials, energy and water.

In the Humber & Teesside cluster, the local environment in the area is already under strain. Existing habitat protection designations and water quality and quantity concerns are already proving challenging for environmental permit provisions in some parts of the cluster. Hydrogen and CCS projects can impact water availability, water quality, air quality and flood risk. In both clusters – Humber & Teesside and HyNet – cumulative impact studies on air quality and detailed water availability assessments are underway.

Industry must engage and collaborate at a cluster-scale to understand the constraints of the environment in which they operate and work together to find innovative solutions to the capacity constraints. Risks to CCS cluster deployment if industry does not collaborate include: increased waste treatment costs, non-public water supply uncertainty, reduced investor confidence, water quality thresholds being reached and inhibiting future deployments.

The key takeaway from this important presentation from the EA: think like a cluster.

Figure 3 – Lorraine Hutt speaking on environmental capacity in industrial clusters

Abubakr Ayub Sheikh (Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Teesside University) shares their takeaways from the “Welcome and Opening Keynote” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2024.

The UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference on November 5th and 6^th in Sheffield was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful I had the chance to attend. The event was packed with insightful discussions, and it provided an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers.

The morning began with a series of inspiring keynote speeches. Jon Gibbins, from UKCCSRC and the University of Sheffield, kicked off the event by giving an overview of the history of the UKCCSRC community and its impact on the CCUS sector. He highlighted how the community has been pivotal in driving collaboration between academia, industry and government to accelerate the development of carbon capture technologies. It was inspiring to hear how the network has influenced real-world solutions and shaped policy on a national scale.

Dr. Lizzy Cross, from the University of Sheffield, followed with an exciting presentation on the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), a hub for groundbreaking clean energy research. Lizzy explained how the EIC is playing a crucial role in advancing CCUS, renewable energy and hydrogen technologies. She also introduced two state-of-the-art research facilities: the Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), which focuses on practical solutions for current energy challenges, and the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC), the UK’s first research and testing centre dedicated to sustainable aviation fuels. It was fascinating to see how these cutting-edge facilities are helping to bring research into the real world, accelerating the journey toward a net-zero future.

The keynote came from Charlotte Powell, Head of Bioenergy and Carbon Removals at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Charlotte shared some exciting news—the UK government’s £21.7 billion investment into carbon capture projects. This funding, which will be available over the next 25 years, is set to support the development of two key CCUS clusters: HyNet in the Northwest and the East Coast Cluster in the Northeast. These clusters aim to capture millions of tonnes of CO₂ each year and create thousands of jobs in the process. Charlotte also introduced the UK government’s “CCUS Vision,” a roadmap that sets out plans to make the CCUS sector self-sustaining by 2035. It was clear from her talk that the UK is making significant strides toward a low-carbon future, with ambitious goals and real investments to back them up.

After the keynotes, we had a coffee break, which was a great opportunity to meet others and discuss ideas. I took full advantage of this time to connect with people working in similar areas and share some of the research I’m involved in, particularly around carbon capture technologies. It was refreshing and enlightening to hear different perspectives and get feedback from experts who are pushing the boundaries in this field. The conversations were not just inspiring but also gave me a lot to think about as I continue my own research.

The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Community (UKCCSRC) is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Energy Programme.

The mission of the UKCCSRC is to ensure that carbon capture and storage (CCS) plays an effective role in helping the UK achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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