Centre for Innovation in Carbon Capture and Storage
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Abstract
The 2006 Stern Review and the very recent 2007 Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report have both concluded that there is overwhelming evidence showing that climate change is a serious and urgent issue. Both reports conclude that early action is vital to stabilize greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) accounts for 84% of all greenhouse gases emissions so makes it the obvious choice when considering which gas to target first.The solution to this problem is very challenging, as we need to make sure that we protect the planet and continue to enjoy a high standard of living without ruining our economy and potentially leading to an energy famine. One possibility is to capture carbon dioxide as it is produced and prevent it from reaching the atmosphere by storing it underground. This idea is the subject of this proposal.Although there are already some large scale CO2 storage projects (e.g. Sleipner in the North Sea and Weyburn between Canada and USA) they are principally due to the extraction of oil and gas and are, therefore, highly site specific. They do not address the broader issue of capturing and storing CO2 from fossil fuelled power plants / the largest contributors of anthropogenic CO2 emissions in the UK and worldwide.The major and most contentious technological barrier for the wide deployment of capture and storage technologies is integrity, as policy, regulatory and public acceptability of CCS will demand storage sites to be permanent safe repositories without leaks. Research at the interface between science and engineering and international cooperation will accelerate the technological innovation needed for ensuring the integrity of storage sites and lead to a widespread deployment of carbon capture and storage. This proposal focuses on developing a Centre for Innovation in Capture and Storage that will promote interdisciplinary activity to bring groundbreaking ideas from basic science and develop them into new products, processes and services, as well as consider public acceptability issues. Within the Centre we will train scientists and engineers with a broad and interdisciplinary set of skills suitable for their future careers in industry, research or government. The research undertaken by these scientists and engineers will be identified and inspired by a range of initiatives that will bring to the Centre a range of people including those from industry, different research areas, environmentalists and policy makers. The outcome of this research, and general awareness raising of issues around carbon capture and storage, will then be promoted. In summary, the overall aim of the Centre will be to develop a holistic view to the development of carbon capture and storage with the aim of making a significant impact in finding solutions for climate change and protecting the planet.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Mercedes Maroto-Valer (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Aysu T
(2015)
Nannochloropsis algae pyrolysis with ceria-based catalysts for production of high-quality bio-oils.
in Bioresource technology
Aysu T
(2016)
Ceria promoted deoxygenation and denitrogenation of Thalassiosira weissflogii and its model compounds by catalytic in-situ pyrolysis.
in Bioresource technology
Chronopoulos T
(2014)
Utilisation Of Microwave Energy for CO2 Desorption in Post-combustion Carbon Capture Using Solid Sorbents
in Energy Procedia
Chronopoulos T
(2014)
CO2 desorption via microwave heating for post-combustion carbon capture
in Microporous and Mesoporous Materials
Dri M
(2013)
Dissolution of steel slag and recycled concrete aggregate in ammonium bisulphate for CO2 mineral carbonation
in Fuel Processing Technology
Garcia S
(2014)
An investigation of reaction parameters on geochemical storage of non-pure CO 2 streams in iron oxide-bearing formations
in Fuel Processing Technology
García S
(2014)
A novel high pressure-high temperature experimental apparatus to study sequestration of CO 2 -SO 2 mixtures in geological formations
in Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology
Leung D
(2014)
An overview of current status of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies
in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
| Description | The 2006 Stern Review and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report have concluded that there is overwhelming evidence showing that climate change is a serious and urgent issue and early action is imperative to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and to prevent aggravation of economic costs. Although policies and economic incentives are needed, rapid implementation of technological developments are crucial to tackle climate change. The development and deployment of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is vital to achieve the required reductions in greenhouse gases. CCS includes a portfolio of technologies to capture carbon dioxide for subsequent transport and permanent storage predominantly in geological formations. The major and most contentious technological barrier for the wide deployment of CCS technologies is integrity, as policy, regulatory and public acceptability of CCS will demand storage sites to be permanent safe repositories without leaks. The Centre for Innovation in Carbon Capture and Storage (CICCS) was established to provide the mechanisms for a creative, multidisciplinary team to answer to the integrity challenges related to CO2 storage. The research conducted at CICCS was at the interface of engineering and science (mathematical sciences, geochemistry, geography and catalysis) and was strongly linked to leading international collaborators, resulting in notable outputs, including: (i) experimental and modelling studies on the changes occurring after the co-injection of captured flue gases (CO2-SO2 gas mixtures) in geological formations; (ii) development of novel buffer systems to promote solid carbonates formation and ensure permanent CO2 storage; (iii) understanding of the effects on aquatic environments of potential seepage from CO2 storage sites to develop novel sensors that can effectively detect and quantify CO2 seepages; and (iv) novel, high-capacity, low-cost sorbents for CO2 capture developed from waste streams and that can easily be regenerated. The research programme also identified CO2 utilisation strategies as geologic storage may prove uneconomic due to insufficient secure capacity and public ambivalence, including: (i) translation of the very slow geological process of weathering of rocks into a viable technology for conversion of CO2 into mineral carbonates with applications in the construction sector; and (ii) novel nanocatalysts for the conversion of CO2 and water into chemical and fuels using sunlight. NOTE: The PI for this award moved to Heriot -Watt University in July 2012 and this project was initiated under award number EP/F012098/1. |
| Exploitation Route | This award identified discoveries of basic sciences for research growth, including EPSRC awards on 'Solar fuels via engineering innovation' (EP/K021796/1), 'Selective photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to olefins: a feasibility study' (EP/K029525/1), 'Challenges in Geological Storage for CCS' (EP/K035967/1),as well as Royal Society International Joint Project on 'Carbon dioxide conversion into valuable chemicals and fuels' (JP090075). A very important outcome of this Challenging Engineering award has been the knowledge-based impact through the training of PhD and MSc students, as well as post-doctoral associates with a much richer academic training and experience of bridging disciplines, institutions, and international boundaries, and currently leaders in different academic, industrial and government organizations. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| URL | http://ciccs.hw.ac.uk |
| Description | CO2 Optimised Compression ('COZOC') |
| Amount | £192,260 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | TS/G001693/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2009 |
| End | 02/2011 |
| Description | CO2 injection and storage - Short and long-term behaviour at different spatial scales |
| Amount | £1,202,215 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/K035967/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2013 |
| End | 02/2017 |
| Description | EPSRC CDT |
| Amount | £4,324,694 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/L016419/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2014 |
| End | 10/2022 |
| Description | ERC-ADG-2015 - ERC Advanced Grant |
| Amount | € 2,811,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 695070 |
| Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 08/2021 |
| Description | Energy CCS, Innovate UK |
| Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P018955/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 09/2017 |
| Description | Industrial CCS |
| Amount | £985,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/N024540/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2016 |
| End | 06/2019 |
| Description | Materials for Next Generation CO2 Transport Systems (MATTRAN) |
| Amount | £1,543,879 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/G061955/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2009 |
| End | 07/2013 |
| Description | Multi-disciplinary fuels |
| Amount | £1,800,518 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/N009924/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2016 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | Newton Fund- Science and Innovation Bridge Malaysia UK |
| Amount | £319,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/P015379/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2016 |
| End | 05/2019 |
| Description | Selective photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to olefins: a feasibility study |
| Amount | £250,848 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/K029525/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2013 |
| End | 02/2015 |
| Description | Solar fuels via engineering innovation |
| Amount | £1,179,790 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/K021796/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2013 |
| End | 08/2018 |
| Description | Event 10th anniversary RCCS |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Event 10th anniversary RCCS; May 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Fossil Fuels - with Future? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Seminar given at 'Fossil Fuels - with Future?', January 31st 2016 'Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation: Releasing the potential or missing the opportunity' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Supporters |
| Results and Impact | Participated in EPSRC/Innovate consultation on Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, January 2017, London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited presentation workshop PostDoc Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Interdisciplinary Research: Developing our Strategy; Invited presentation at Heriot-Watt Postdoc Forum, 23rd March 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited presentation-Scottish Crucible |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation and panel 'Grand Challenges' ; Scottish Crucible Grand Challenges and Impact Session; 23rd November 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Low Carbon Energy Systems with Hydrogen and CCS Low carbon hydrogen production, Gas separation technologies & Geological storage |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation 'Integration of CCS and gasification technologies' given 9th March 2016. Hosted at the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation, this event will explore the opportunities for hydrogen with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and specifically consider how they can support the development o low-carbon energy systems. We will also consider how technical and commercial innovation can support the delivery of low-carbon targets for Scotland. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | New opportunities for catalysis and solar: a workshop to plan new research opportunities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | New opportunities for catalysis and solar: a workshop to plan new research opportunities; 2nd October Royal Society London 9.45am - 4.45 pm Invited Participants form UK Catalysis Hub and Solar Fuels Network. Future areas for research collaboration identified. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation at ICCDU 2016 Conference, September 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation titled 'Solar Fuels from Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 via Engineering Innovation' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk to general public- Exploration Weekend |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Saving the planet: Carbon neutral energy; Heriot-Watt Exploration Weekend; 19th May 2019 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | University Applicants Visit Days |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 4 Applicant Visit Days (AVD) per year, taking place normally in March-April time. For each AVD, we host two visits to the lab with approximately 15-20 people per visit. Groups of last year High School pupils (plus family members) with an offer to enrol in one of our Chemical Engineering BEng and MEng programmes visit the RCCS labs every year during the Applicant Visit Days, scheduled across March-April time. In total, 8 visits to RCCS labs take place per year with 15-20 applicants per visit, i.e., a total of 120-160 students per year. The purpose of the visits is to communicate our research and showcase our research facilities so Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage technologies are more widely understood within the general public. The pupils are challenged with questions and engaged in discussions to understand the technology. Feedback from the visits has been always very positive, with further interest in our research activities and undergrad programmes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018 |