An analysis of carbon capture and utilisation options in the Austrian industry

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

Carbon dioxide contributes to the "Greenhouse Effect" and global warming. Nowadays a lot of efforts are being done to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to counter this effect. The strategies towards this target include the prevention of CO2, the reduction of the CO2 amount through efficient use of fossil fuels, such as the CO2 capture and storage or utilisation. “Carbon Capture and Utilisation" (CCU) technologies use carbon dioxide as a raw material for chemical and biological processes. Currently a lot of research and development work is carried out concerning these technologies. The aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate CCU-options for the Austrian industries. A use-value analysis was applied to reach this task. The findings of the literature research served as the basis for creating a list of evaluation criteria for the implementation of this analysis, which was then complemented with expert interviews. A web-based industry questionnaire provided the information needed to place these criteria in a hierarchy of importance. The identification of the survey participating industries was based on the emission data of the Federal Environment Agency. The priorisation of the evaluation criteria in combination to the potentials and limitations of each technology was a crucial requirement for the use-value analysis. The analysis conceded following results: CO2 enhanced oil recovery could be for all industries the best carbon dioxide utilisation technology and was ranked as first. The further prioritisation turned in most cases as follows: carbonation, methanisation and chemical feedstocks. Two of the examined industries resulted in a different ranking. The first exception was the refractory industry, here was the methanisation ranked second, followed by the production of chemical feedstocks and the carbonation. The second exception was the cement and lime industries. In this case carbonation was ranked second followed by the production of chemical feedstocks and methanisation. The results presented in this thesis can support the industries in their CO2 decision making management and furthermore visualize in which technologies research and development efforts should be intensified.

Details

Translated title of the contributionVergleichende Analyse der Kohlendioxidnutzungstechnologien am Beispiel der österreichischen Industrie
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date22 Mar 2013
Publication statusPublished - 2013