Technologies for carbon dioxide capture : a review applied to energy sectors.

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas generated by both natural and man-made sources, such as the burning of fossil fuels for power generation and from agriculture. Currently, it is seen as the main contributor to the increase in the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming. Therefore, the development of technologies for the capture and use of this gas are of great importance for the mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG) and the reduction of their negative environmental effects. The objective of this review is to survey the main carbon dioxide capture technologies under development for the energy sectors, especially for thermoelectric and bioenergy (ethanol plant). Pre-combustion, oxy-fuel and post-combustion technologies were depicted, among them: adsorption, absorption, membrane separation and chemical capture. By means the compiled information, it was possible to identify the main advances as well as the main difficulties of carbon dioxide capture & use technologies. Moreover, aspects of the carbon market were discussed also.