We must avoid future impacts of climate change. This requires us to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050; in other words, we must equalize the amount of carbon dioxide we emit and release into the atmosphere. According to the "Global Climate Report" presented by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at the COP27 Summit held between 6-18 November 2022, greenhouse gas emissions and heat build-up in the atmosphere have increased steadily. That makes the last eight years the warmest in the world. Here, carbon capture technology plays a vital role in the fight against climate change and in achieving global energy and climate goals. So what is carbon capture technology? Let's look at it in detail.

What is carbon capture technology?

This technology refers to a range of processes in which carbon dioxide (CO2) is captured and used directly (without chemical modification) or indirectly (converted) in various products. Current climate change strategies aim to eliminate carbon emissions from electricity generation and transportation. On the other hand, carbon capture technologies examine how CO2 can be captured directly from the atmosphere or at the point of emission and stored safely in the natural environment. There are two main ways in which this technology can be used:
- Biological carbon capture and storage: The natural environment, like forests and oceans, captures CO2 from the atmosphere.
- Artificial/geological carbon capture and storage: Capture and underground storage of CO2 released as a result of human activities in industrial plants, refineries, iron-steel, cement, or petrochemical plants.

Our natural habitats, such as forests, oceans, grasslands, and wetlands, also known as carbon sinks, absorb CO2 from the atmosphere; therefore, protecting those natural areas is extremely important. Besides natural methods, various technologies are also used to geologically capture, transport, and store CO2. The suitability of these technologies may vary according to the industrial process in question or the type of plant.

“Current climate change strategies aim to eliminate carbon emissions from electricity generation and transportation. On the other hand, carbon capture technologies examine how CO2 can be captured directly from the atmosphere or at the point of emission and stored safely in the natural environment.”

How does the carbon capture process work?

In this three-step process, CO2 is separated from other gases produced in industrial processes such as coal and natural gas power plants and steel or cement plants. The CO2 is then compressed and transported to a site for storage by pipelines, road transport, or ships. Lastly, CO2 is sent to underground rock formations to be permanently stored.

There are three different carbon capture systems:

Post-combustion: CO2 is removed from the flue gas produced by fossil fuel combustion. A solvent is used to capture CO2 after combustion. This solvent is separated from CO2 using heat and recycled and reused. The removed CO2 is stored underground, in the rocks.

Pre-combustion: In this technique, the primary fuel in the process is reacted with steam, air, or oxygen and converted into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, often referred to as syngas. Before the syngas is burned, carbon is separated and stored by physical or chemical absorption methods.

How can it help prevent climate change?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that if we are to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit future temperature rise to 1.5°C, we must do more than increase efforts to reduce emissions. Carbon capture technology can play a critical role in the fight against global warming. The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) facilities are already capturing around 45 Mt of CO2 worldwide, but that needs to increase.

EU-supported carbon capture projects of SOCAR R&D

We are committed to a sustainable world. Our goal in our sustainability journey is a 40% CO2 reduction by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050. Due to our energy-oriented and, therefore, emission-intensive business lines, we place particular importance on technologies that will reduce the carbon footprint of our companies. To that end, we carry out several projects.

SOCAR Türkiye R&D and Innovation Center carries out 2 European Union projects within the Horizon 2020-Carbon Capture, Storage, and Use Program. The CARMOF Project, the first of these projects, aims to develop innovative absorbers connected to Modified Carbon Nanotubes and Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) and develop a hybrid membrane and vacuum absorption process in which these absorbers are included to capture carbon dioxide more efficiently.

The CO2 Focus Project, on the other hand, aims to convert carbon dioxide into dimethyl ether product, which is in demand in the market, with the reactor and solid oxide cell technology to be printed with a 3D Printer. Together with these, we aim to produce chemicals such as ethanol and isopropanol from carbon dioxide with heterogeneous catalysts by using solar energy with the NEFERTITI Project, for which we applied to the EU Horizon 2020 Program and was awarded funding in December 2020.

In summary, we have more tools to combat climate change with the ever-evolving carbon capture technologies. Whether safely stored underground or recycled for another use, we can say that carbon capture technology presents an opportunity to prevent global warming and climate change.