Carbon Management

Cutting-Edge Solutions for CO₂

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a by-product of energy production. With the growing concern that the accumulation of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activity may affect global climate and impending policy and regulations to restrict CO₂ emissions, we're working to develop solutions.

We're the ideal applied research partner for companies seeking to invest in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). CCUS provides a proven option for energy and industrial companies seeking to combine greenhouse gas mitigation with operations, creating market advantages and opportunities for the sale or use of captured carbon dioxide. We have a successful record in the design and deployment of CCUS technologies, including projects at industrial scale, forming effective partnerships with industry.

CO₂ Capture

We have the unique equipment and expertise to evaluate and develop CO₂ capture systems. Several of our highly adaptable small pilot systems are able to produce combustion flue gas and gasification syngas from virtually any fuel (all coal ranks, liquids, and gases) for testing of postcombustion and precombustion CO₂ capture and separation technologies. To date, the EERC is the only research center in the world to build, test, move, and reassemble a pilot-scale carbon capture and separation unit twice.

To date, major highlights of our carbon capture efforts include the following

Testing at the EERC developed the data needed for ION Engineering’s successful proposal to demonstrate its CO₂ capture solvent at the National Carbon Capture Center.
Work at the EERC advanced Aspen process simulations to advance heat integration of carbon capture at existing facilities.
Data collected for Neumann Systems Group led to the successful scale-up and demonstration of its novel nozzle technology for CO₂ absorption at the Martin Drake Power Plant, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Work at the EERC aided in the advancement of Hitachi’s H3-1 solvent and Shell Cansolv’s sulfur-capturing amine.

The EERC has been a member of the International Test Center Network (ITCN) and was involved as a stakeholder advisor for the Carbon Capture Simulation for Industry Impact (CCSI²).

Learn more about capture technologies

Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage

We conduct applied research at all stages of CO₂ geological storage projects, from regional assessments to detailed site appraisals, in support of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) deployment. Expertise and extensive experience encompass both associated storage, incidental to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations, and dedicated storage in deep saline formations. Our capabilities also extend to potential storage in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs and other subsurface scenarios, such as deep unminable coal seams.

Our work in carbon storage over the last 15 years has been essential to understanding the challenges that face commercial-scale CCUS and identifying methods and solutions that will contribute to safe and successful operation of large-scale projects in the future.

Carbon Storage

Proven adaptive management approach for the deployment of CO₂ storage, both in deep saline formations and associated with EOR.

Expertise to develop cost-effective technical programs:
- Site characterization
- Monitoring, verification, and accounting (MVA)
- Reservoir and process chemistry modeling and simulation
- Risk assessment and risk management
Implementation of field services: vendor identification and selection, project planning, data acquisition and support, and fully integrated interpretation of data and results
Life cycle analysis of CCUS projects, including with CO₂ EOR

Learn More about Carbon Storage