The evidence for global warming is getting stronger and the link between greenhouse gas, in particular carbon dioxide and global warming, is clear.  The latest IPCC, 5^th assessment report, sets out the physical science basis for this.  The question for all of us is, how do we respond to this challenge?  This is a difficult problem for society because of the long lead times involved, in some cases centuries, the cross national broader issues and the competition and influence in standard living.  Nonetheless we as chemical engineers have an important role to play in developing affordable, environmentally and socially acceptable alternative to carbon emissions.

 

This presentation will summarise the potential impacts of climate change, and the implications of various emission scenarios.  It will then examine some of the potential opportunities in the development of cheaper environmentally friendly carbon capture technology based on solvent capture.  The example of a precipitating carbonate based process that is being trialled on a 1 tonne per day carbon capture plant in a coal fired power station will be used as an example.  The data shows the potential to reduce the cost by up to $20 US/Tonne with a significantly lower environmental footprint making consideration of CO2 capture for the power, gas, cement, iron and steel and fertiliser industries more feasible.