Global and Domestic Carbon Dioxide Emissions & their Effect on Climate Change

CO2 Mitigation Strategies
From a typical coal fired plant, CO2 makes up about 15% by volume [9] of the effluent gas. Several techniques are available to address the release of CO2 in a stationary combustion system. Present science has a method to scrub away the CO2 via a chemical absorbent. A likely candidate is Monethanolamine (MEA) which absorbs CO2 via the

R-NH2 + H2O + CO2 ---> R-NH3HCO3

reaction at 27°C (81°F) and then will desorb in the reverse reaction at 150°C (302°F). The result of the additional energy to release the absorber and to quench the gas would reduce a typical power station from a 40% thermal efficiency to 29%. A better approach would be in a Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IC) Plant where isolation of the CO2 would take place in a intermediate gas-shift reaction reducing thermal efficiency from 44% to 38% [9]. The additional energy consumption come from the necessary dehydration and compression of the CO2 for transport.

If separation of the carbon dioxide proved possible, the additional disposal of the gas would likely become the greater problem. Considering the enormous volume required for storage, two probable location are either the deep ocean or an evacuated natural gas field. Several industrial processes could use CO2 in production, but not nearly to the extent of current output [10].

Deep ocean disposal can be considered only a temporary solution [11], on the order of centuries, because the ocean waters do circulate. The more likely near term solutions would include a program of increased efficiency in energy conversion, energy utilization and energy conservation, and an active development of alternative energy studies like fuel cell and solar research. Fuel switching will also reduce CO2 emissions by changing from a high CO2 releaser like coal to a low CO2 emitting fuel like natural gas.