Cement, Energy and Environment

Understanding Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Literature Review on Carbon Capture and Storage in the Cement Industry CCS involves capturing CO 2 emissions at their source by transporting and storing it underground in geological formations. This technology can significantly reduce the amount of CO 2 released into the atmosphere from cement plants, during the combustion of fossil fuels for energy as well as the chemical process of converting limestone into clinker. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as a viable technology to mitigate the impact of the resultant emissions. This literature review synthesizes current research on CCS applications in the cement sector, exploring its effectiveness, challenges, and future directions. Carbon Capture Technologies A variety of technologies can be employed for carbon capture in cement plants: Post-Combustion Capture: By far the most researched method, it involves amine scrubbing or other solvents to capture CO 2 from flue gas. Studies by Gaffney et al. (2021) demonstrate the efficiency of the process in capturing around 90% of CO 2 from cement kiln emissions. Pre-Combustion Capture: This method involves removing CO 2 before combustion. It requires significant process changes and is less common in cement production. However, research proves its effectiveness when integrated with gasification processes (Friedrich et al., 2019). Oxy-Fuel Combustion: This technique involves using pure oxygen instead of air for combustion, thereby producing concentrated CO 2 . While promising, it is still in the developmental stage for cement operations (Khan et al., 2020). Storage Solutions Once captured, CO 2 must be securely stored. The literature identifies several geological formations suitable for CO 2 storage, including: Depleted Oil and Gas Reservoirs: These are well-understood structures that can potentially hold large volumes of CO 2 (Gérard et al., 2017). Deep Saline Aquifers: These formations are widespread and can offer substantial storage capacity but pose challenges regarding monitoring and have leakage risks (Bachu, 2000). Mineralization: Some studies suggest using mined products to chemically convert CO 2 into solid minerals, thereby providing a permanent storage solution (Krevor et al., 2019). Economic and Regulatory Aspects The implementation of CCS in the cement industry faces economic hurdles. Initial capital investments for retrofitting existing plants are high, leading to calls for government incentives and support (IEA, 2021). Regulatory frameworks are also essential in guiding CCS deployment, as highlighted by the analysis of various global policies encouraging carbon pricing and emissions trading schemes (Chadwick et al., 2019). Case Studies and Pilot Projects Several case studies illustrate the application of CCS in existing cement production facilities worldwide: The Norcem Project in Norway has demonstrated the successful capture of CO 2 emissions from a cement plant, projecting its use for enhanced oil recovery (EOR)—highlighting dual benefits (Norcem, 2021). The LEILAC Project in Belgium assessed the feasibility of implementing a novel direct limestone calcination technology, which may potentially enhance capture rates while minimizing cost (LEILAC, 2019). Challenges and Future Directions Despite advancements, the literature identifies 40