Arup is a global firm of planners, designers, engineers and business consultants, we provide a diverse range of professional services to clients around the world, exerting a significant influence on the built environment. The firm is a creative force behind many of the world s most innovative buildings, energy, transport, civil engineering projects and design technologies.
The UK emits more than 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. The quantity has steadily increased since the start of the industrial revolution (1800 s) and peaked late in the last century. Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere (as carbon dioxide, also called CO 2 ) whenever we burn any fossil fuel. The largest sources are power stations that burn fossil fuels: coal, oil or gas. To prevent the carbon dioxide building up in the atmosphere we can catch the CO 2, and store it.
and Storage (CCS)? (CCS) involves capturing CO 2, transporting it to a storage site, and injecting it underground so that it is not released into the atmosphere. CCS would allow power plants that run on fossil fuels - particularly coal-fired power stations - to continue operating with vastly reduced emissions. It could also be used to capture and store CO 2 from industrial processes that are large point source emitters, such as steel or cement producers.
Arup undertake all aspects of economic assessment, planning feasibility, design and development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and have developed a wide range of skills and experience through projects and research. Arup are one of the leading consultants on the strategic development of CCS infrastructure projects in the UK and Europe and have recently completed a feasibility study for the European Union looking at carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) infrastructure for the whole of Europe.
Our collective experience has been developed in the UK and Europe where the existing use of coal and gas fired power stations in close proximity to the declining North Sea oil and gas fields lends itself to the application of CCS. Arup are undertaking research and projects on the capture of carbon using mineralisation in rocks and the use of algae for biofuel which feed off CO 2. is relatively new to the mainstream energy industry and Arup has been involved with the thinking and development of ideas for over six years.
We have become recognised as a leading consultant for strategic development of CCS in Europe through a variety of projects undertaken covering the following skill areas: --Economic Study - Northern Way study into the benefits of CCS for the North of England, UK --Feasibility Study - European Union feasibility study of potential CO 2 infrastructure, EU --Industry Standards - Det Norsk Veritas (DNV) steering group member for the development of international standards for CCS --Research and Development Technology strategy board development of R&D roadmap and priority areas --Novel technologies - Industrial research project into the use of algae in carbon abatement --Project management - Project manager embedded as project director for the development of Scottish and Southern Electricity CCS plant, UK --Project management, outline design and contract management - team embedded within E.ON for the development of CCS plant and infrastructure, UK
Increasing levels of CO 2 in the atmosphere are (with other greenhouse gases) contributing to climate change and continued burning of fossil fuels creates additional carbon dioxide. CCS involves trapping the carbon dioxide at its emission source and transporting it to a storage location (usually deep underground). There are three main techniques for trapping the CO 2 from fossil fuel combustion: post-combustion, pre-combustion and oxy-fuel combustion.
In post-combustion the CO 2 is separated from the flue gas after the fossil fuel is burned. Separation typically uses a solvent that absorbs carbon dioxide. The solvent is extracted and then heated to release a concentrated stream of CO 2.
In pre-combustion, fossil fuel is heated in pure oxygen, to create a mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide can then be catalytically converted to create additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The hydrogen is separated for later combustion leaving concentrated CO 2.
In oxy-fuel combustion the fossil fuel is burnt in oxygen rather than air, yielding a flue gas mixture comprising mostly steam and CO 2. The CO 2 is separated by cooling and compressing the gas stream. In both pre-combustion and oxy-fuel the oxygen is derived from an air separation unit.
After the CO 2 is captured, the next step is transporting it to a storage site, probably via a pipeline, although transport by ship may also be an option. Compressors generate the high pressure required to allow efficient movement of the CO 2. At the storage location, the CO 2 will be injected deep underground. Former oil and gas reservoirs are well suited to store CO 2 as they consist of layers of porous rock formations that have trapped oil and gas for years. Another option is to inject gas into existing underground saline aquifers. Clearly the objective is for the CO 2 to remain underground indefinitely, so selection of the appropriate geology, injection techniques and subsequent monitoring are crucial. Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage
In practice, CCS can usually capture 90% but not all of the CO 2 generated from burning fossil fuel. The technology also significantly increases the capital and operating costs for the fossil fuel burning industry (power stations, refineries, cement works etc). One attraction of post-combustion is that it is easier to retrofit this to existing fossil fuel users. Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage
Europe -wide CO 2 Infrastructure Feasibility Study Arup evaluated databases of existing CO 2 emitters, and potential geological CO 2 storage sites were developed, building on previous studies, including GeoCapacity. Previous studies failed to recognise that many existing CO 2 sources may close or have different characteristics in future due to the introduction of renewable energy and greater energy efficiency. Arup reviewed existing examples and developed 3 new scenarios for both 2030 and 2050. Annual CO 2 capture ranged from 50-800 million tonnes. Blueprints for the future were developed matching sources to sinks, using hydraulic model optimisation and 2 variants were assessed - one assuming both onshore and offshore underground storage was acceptable and the other with offshore storage only. This flagged a potential investment of up to 20bn by 2050 and the importance of clusters, pipeline dynamics and common specifications.
Europe -wide CO 2 Infrastructure Feasibility Study This vision for CO 2 infrastructure aids EC strategic planning, which may lead to the inclusion of CO 2 infrastructure in the next revision of the Trans- European Networks Guidelines for Energy (TEN-E), in the Summer of 2011.
CCS Infrastructure Projects, UK Arup have a team of 20 staff seconded into E.ON assisting in the development of their CCS plant and infrastructure. Our work involves project management, outline design, development of specifications and procurement. We also have a number of staff seconded into Scottish and Southern Energy in a similar role as project managers for their CCS Plant.
Feasibility Study, UK Arup undertook a feasibility study to consider the economic potential and business opportunities for firms in the north of England to develop a capability in CCS. The project is being considered for investment within the parameters of the Northern Way Innovation programme.
Project Example CCS Site Selection, UK Arup was commissioned to undertake an assessment of sites for a potential UK demonstration of CCS within the Yorkshire and Humber region. The proposed facility comprised a 430MW coal gasification process with precombustion CO 2 capture and sequestration in an offshore reservoir. Arup developed a combined GIS and matrix screening tool to shortlist sites and CO 2 pipeline routes for more detailed feasibility using a combination of client specific and environmental criteria. Key constraints included national designations (planning policy), sites of special scientific interest, scheduled monuments, site factors (availability of land, transport connectivity, and potential coal sources) and process factors (ease of pipeline construction, availability of cooling water, discharges, and COMAH restrictions).
Carbon abatement programme, research and development, UK Arup provided advice to the Technology Strategy Board on how to stimulate research and development in CCS and where investment might be targeted to achieve maximum impact. The programme involved presentations to industry leaders and representatives which resulted in a variety of partnerships being developed between industry and academic institutions.
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