INTRODUCTION:
As the global climate crisis intensifies, carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) emerges as a pivotal technology in our fight against climate change. CCU involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes, then repurposing or storing it to mitigate its impact on the environment. The ultimate goal is reduce the amount of CO2 released in atmosphere and find beneficial uses for captured carbon contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.This essay explores the significance, methods, and challenges of CCU, illustrating its potential to play a crucial role in a sustainable future.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CARBON CAPTURE AND UTILISATION:
The primary goal of CCU is to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations, which are a major driver of global warming. By capturing CO2 before it reaches the atmosphere, CCU helps lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, by utilizing captured CO2 in industrial processes or converting it into valuable products, CCU offers a dual benefit: reducing emissions and creating economic opportunities.
METHODS OF CARBON CAPTURE:
1. Post-Combustion Capture: This method involves capturing CO2 from the flue gases of combusted fossil fuels. It is commonly used in coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities. Technologies include solvent absorption, where CO2 is absorbed by a chemical solvent, and membrane separation, which uses selective membranes to separate CO2 from other gases.
2. Pre-Combustion Capture: In this method, fossil fuels are gasified to produce a mixture of hydrogen and CO2. The CO2 is then separated from the hydrogen before combustion occurs. This method is often applied in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants.
3. Oxy-Fuel Combustion: This technique involves burning fossil fuels in pure oxygen instead of air. The result is a flue gas that is primarily CO2 and water vapor, making it easier to capture CO2.

This method is still under development but shows promise for future applications.
UTILISATION OF CARBON CAPTURE:
Captured CO2 can be utilised in various ways, turning a waste product into valuable resources:

1. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): CO2 is injected into oil fields to increase pressure and improve oil extraction rates. This method not only helps in extracting more oil but also stores CO2 underground.

Srinidhi S

University/College name : Jamal Mohamed college ( Autonomous)