In the fight against climate change, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a global priority. Supply chains, responsible for a significant portion of these emissions, are under scrutiny to identify decarbonization opportunities. Carbon capture emerges as a promising technology that can play a crucial role in creating a greener and more sustainable supply chain.
What is Carbon Capture?
Carbon capture is the process of separating CO2 from combustion emissions before they are released into the atmosphere. These emissions can come from various sources such as power plants, industrial plants, and container ship engines. Carbon capture technology is in various stages of development, with several methods available to separate and capture CO2.
Key Carbon Capture Technologies
Membrane: Uses a chemical absorbent to capture CO2 from flue gas and then regenerate the solvent to extract CO2. It is the most developed method.
Post-combustion: Separates CO2 from flue gases emitted after fuel combustion.
Pre-combustion: Converts fuel into a gas before combustion and separates CO2 from the transformed gas.
Oxy-combustion: Collects CO2 in an almost pure oxygen environment, facilitating concentrated capture of carbon dioxide.
Basic Operation of Carbon Capture Processes
The specific process varies by technology but generally follows these steps:
Capture: Combustion gases are channeled into a carbon capture system.
Separation: CO2 is separated from other gases using one of the mentioned methods.
Storage or Reuse: Captured CO2 can be stored in underground geological formations or used to produce synthetic fuels or chemicals.
Direct Emission Capture from Container Ships
Container ships are a significant source of GHG emissions. The global shipping industry contributes approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions. Carbon capture onboard ships offers a viable solution to reduce these emissions.
Examples of Innovations
Evergreen: Installed the first carbon capture and storage (CCS) system on its Neopanamax container ship Ever Top, achieving a minimum CO2 purity of 99% and a maximum capture rate of 80%.
University of Southern California and Caltech: Developed reactors that capture carbon emissions directly from cargo ships and other diesel-powered vessels, converting CO2 into a slightly bicarbonate-enriched solution released back into the ocean.
Benefits of Carbon Capture for Green Logistics
GHG Emission Reduction: Helps logistics companies significantly reduce their GHG emissions and environmental impact.
Enhancement of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility: Adopting this technology demonstrates companies' commitment to sustainability, enhancing their public image.
Increased Competitiveness: In a market that values eco-friendly practices, carbon capture becomes a competitive advantage.
New Business Opportunities: Carbon capture opens up new opportunities for companies to offer services and products derived from captured CO2.
Challenges and Considerations
Associated Costs: Carbon capture technology for container ships is expensive, estimated between 20 to 50 million dollars for a new system. Additionally, adequate onshore infrastructure is needed to store or utilize captured CO2.
Regulatory Frameworks and Support Policies: Clear regulatory frameworks and support policies are necessary for viable carbon capture in the maritime industry, addressing emissions measurement and reporting, safety standards for CO2 storage, and financial incentives for technology adoption.
Economic Viability and Long-term Sustainability: Long-term economic viability depends on reducing technological costs, developing markets for captured CO2, and implementing supportive policies.
Carbon capture is in a phase of rapid technological development, with constant advances in efficiency and costs. It is expected that in the future, this technology will become more economical and accessible, driving widespread adoption in the logistics industry.
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