GAC013 Assessment Event 2: Case Study Investigation

Comparison of Two Techniques

Used for Carbon Dioxide

Sequestration

Student’s Name: John Moon

Student ID#: CCLY00000

Teacher: Ms. Pwint Nee Aung

Due Date: 1 August 2014

Word Count: 823

Table of Contents
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................1
1.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................1
2.0 Methodology.........................................................................................................................................1
3.0 Findings.................................................................................................................................................2
4.0 Discussion.............................................................................................................................................2
5.0 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................3
References...................................................................................................................................................4
GAC013 AE#2 John Moon CCL Y00000

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to make comparison between two discovered techniques of CO2

sequestration, by storing underground or by electrolysis. It was done by studying about the topic in

details from reliable sources. Since two techniques are related to each other, some similarities and

differences were found such as both method implied chemistry even though process is different. The

differences were then compared to find out more beneficial method to be used for human progress with

the expectation of second method being better than former one.

1.0 Introduction

The research was conducted to compare and contrast two techniques of CO2 sequestration from the

atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas which is mostly emitted from human activities. The increase in

CO2 concentration can affect the atmosphere leading to global warming (Overview of Greenhouse Gases,

2013). In order to prevent the consequences, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere. The former method

was to pump CO2 into deep underground so that it will mix with other minerals to form salt (Gislason,

2010). Another method was invented later on which generates carbon- negative hydrogen that neutralize

ocean acidity while reducing CO2 concentration from the atmosphere (Lawrence Livermore scientists,

2013). The research outcome is expected to be that the later technique is more beneficial than former one

because second technique reduces CO2 and also produce hydrogen.

2.0 Methodology

Since the purpose of research is to compare two techniques, the articles about these topics are

first studied. Further research was carried out to get a wider concept of the issue. Moreover,

necessary background information were also searched from the internet to gain knowledge of the

impact and effect on human and how it can be reversed. The sources were considered reliable

1/8/2014 1
GAC013 AE#2 John Moon CCL Y00000

due to the fact that those are from the official web sites of the organizations like a blog from

‘EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency’ (Overview of Greenhouse Gases, 2013)

and the others are peer-reviewed reports from universities such as the report from Princeton

University (Carbon Dioxide Sequestration: When and How Much?, 2003).

3.0 Findings

From the research, it has found that two techniques are different however these are designed with the

same purpose which is to reduce CO2 produced mainly by industries in petroleum refining process. The

former technique, CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS), covers different fields of science such as

Chemistry and Earth Science. Likewise, second method also covers these fields because both methods

include chemical reaction processes like electrolysis and neutralization. The study of greenhouse gases

effects contributing to global warming is Earth Science. Furthermore, the first technique needs to test the

soil whether it is capable of storing CO2 which is related to Geology.

CCS was discovered by Sigurdur Gislason in 2010 whereas another method was discovered by Lawrence

Livermore scientists (Greg Rau, Susan Carroll, William Bourcier, Michael Singleton, Megan Smith and

Roger Aines) in 2013.

CCS is a process which capture and inject CO2 underground when non-porous layers of rock trap and

prevent it from migrating upward (Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration, 2011). On the other hand,

second method has researched at lab scale by electrolyzing saline water which produce hydrogen and

hydroxide concentration which has the ability to absorb atmospheric CO2 (Baird, 2014).

4.0 Discussion

According to the research findings, it is conclusive that the expected outcome is true for the reason that

CCS only store CO2 while the electrolysis process make it more beneficial by producing hydrogen and

1/8/2014 2
GAC013 AE#2 John Moon CCL Y00000

neutralizing acidity of ocean. This method is not only for removing CO2 but also for saving marine

ecosystem (Rau, 2013). CCS uses mechanical procedures to concentrate molecular CO2 from the air and

recycle reagents at the same time which is inefficient and costly. The industries using CCS process have

to make sure that there are no leakage underground. Furthermore, the purpose of CCS is just a quick fix

before other energy sources have developed (Nye, Walainis & Whipkey, 2007). In contrast, electrolysis

process do not need to concentrate CO2 therefore making it easier to extract and cost-effective (Rau,

2013). CCS technology is facing many kinds of challenges such as technology, regulatory and financial

issues. CCS is a complex process having to operate in large scale which need a high expense and the

long-term liability of storing underground has been questioned (Benson, 2010). On the other hand, in

electrolysis method of CO2 sequestration, the chemical reaction occurred in nature and the necessary

ultramafic minerals are sufficient to provide for long time. The only challenge is that the reactions take

place slowly so temperature and pressure need to be high and catalyst is required (Fan & Park, 2003).

There are some limitations which influence the findings, for instance, second technique is only carried out

in lab scale so a level of uncertainty for larger scale is possible as some errors can occur if it is done in

massive amount. However, this method is more effective when compared to CCS as an overview.

5.0 Conclusion

To justify the findings, the comparison of two techniques for separating CO2 reducing the effects of

global warming, described both positive and negative side of the methods. However, the advantages of

electrolysis method far outweigh the disadvantages while it also provide more beneficial outcome than

CCS. Therefore, this technique should practice more in future to reduce CO2 emission and neutralize

ocean acidity in more reliable along with cost-effective way.

1/8/2014 3
GAC013 AE#2 John Moon CCL Y00000

References

Carbon Dioxide & the Greenhouse Effect (2014), SFGate [online]. Available from:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/carbon-dioxide-greenhouse-effect-78866.html

Keller, K., Yang, Z., Hall. M & Bradford, D. (2003), Carbon Dioxide Sequestration: When and How
Much?, Princeton University [online]. Available from:
www.princeton.edu/ceps/workingpapers/94bradford.pdf [Accessed 13 July 2014]

Lal, R. (2008), Carbon sequestration, Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society [online].
Available from: http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/363/1492/815.full [Accessed 7
July 2014]

Nye, D. Walainis, T. & Whipkey, T. (2007), Carbon Sequestration: Helpful or Harmful?, University of
Michigan [online]. Available from: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/sec005group04/home [Accessed
13 July 2014]

Overview of Greenhouse Gases (2013), EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency [online].
Available from: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html [Accessed 13
July 2014]

Scientists develop CO2 sequestration technique (2013), (e) Science News [online]. Available from:
http://tinyurl.com/kjxnq62 [Accessed 5 July 2014]

Should Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology Be Developed? (2009), ProCon.org [online].
Available from: http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.answers.php?
questionID=001401&print=true!! [Accessed 7 July 2014]

Storing carbon dioxide deep underground in rock form (2010), (e) Science News [online]. Available
from: http://tinyurl.com/lop8e7t [Accessed 5 July 2014]

1/8/2014 4